Thunder Dragons are the masters of electricity. Their wings gather energy as they soar through the clouds, and when they clap their wings together they can create devastating arcs of lightning. They can stay airborne nearly indefinitely, landing only to sleep and breed; they catch their prey from the air and take moisture from the clouds. A thunder dragon’s roar is considered to be an omen of misfortune.

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.

"You cannot save me. No one can. So stop trying!"

Avamore was born to a mother who was convinced that she was the epitome of perfection, and deeply ashamed that her daughter was not. She tried to mold Avamore into the demure little angel that she believed was the ideal dragoness, and for years Avamore let her. But while she accepted it, her mother's controlling behavior and constant belittling eating away at her until she found herself feeling nothing.

Then she snapped. All the emotions she'd been holding back came rushing out at once and she flew into a rage. She almost killed her mother but only just managed to stop herself. She stayed with her mother out of guilt but nothing changed. Her mother became even more abusive after her outburst. It is all Avamore can do to keep her sanity.

Several dragons have offered their help, but she always turns them down. She bears her mother's abuse with her head high, even though each word is a pickaxe that chips away at Avamore's strong shield.