Turpentine Dragons are named for the oil that covers their scales. This oil resembles turpentine in odor and is mildly toxic; it will not kill but it burns to the touch and will cause illness in anyone who ingests it. Turpentine Dragons roam in large packs, often stealing food from larger dragons, though they are able to hunt for themselves if necessary. Many other breeds consider Turpentine Dragons to be pests, so they primarily breed among themselves.

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.

Dark Tar Sands is a turpentine dragon. He is very considerate and kind, and he often tries to mask his natural unbearable stench with various herbs and juices he smears over his skin. Unfortunately, none of them have succeeded in doing that, so to relieve other dragons of having to smell him, he has made his own separate cave in the canyon of his clan's southern territory. Being the first turpentine dragon of his clan, he naturally leads the other turpentine dragons who share his cave with him. Although some of his dragons are mischievous and like to steal from the other dragons of his clan that reside in the desert around the canyon, he tries his best to maintain order and encourage the thieves to hunt for themselves.