Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Duskstain's mate, Nightburner, was the leader of the Old Featherwing Weyr, many decades ago. The dragons raised by the immortal human Feathers lived in peace, and for a time, there was harmony. But then King Yule attacked Nightburner and his followers, and for months, war raged. Duskstain barely survived the fight, and she ended up left behind when King Yule chased away her mate and his followers. It was then that Flameflow, the treacherous Magma, made his move. King Yule, too, was chased from the fertile lands of the Old Weyr. Duskstain, as a caveborn dragon, was allowed to stay...indeed, she was kept from leaving, held captive by Flameflow and forbidden from leaving because of her importance as a future bargaining chip. She has remained captive in Flameflow's new Weyr of Flame, along with her hatchlings Smallstain, Smallfins, and Smalldorsal, hoping that someday she will be able to rejoin her beloved mate.

Males have tried to woo Duskstain since the War, but she has refused all.