Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.

Matthijs was the first Prize dragon brought into his Clan, and is respected by more common dragons. He is friends with the other tinsels in his Clan, Ginerva and Elias. Ginerva is bronze, and Elias is silver like Matthijs. Matthijs loves his mate, Lucian, and his daughter, Toma. When dragons are injured or sick, Matthijs will take a leaf off of his leaf crown and grind it up with other ingredients to make a healing powder. This often helps the dragon feel better. It is believed that Matthijs may have been exposed to a magic wand of some sort.