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.

To save his son from dying in the thick of battle, Baelfire's father contacted an ancient human mage in hopes of ending the war. But cunning by nature, he killed the man with the enchanted knife that was the source of his power, and took it for his own. He tried to do the right thing and stop the war, but what had clouded the human's sense of right and wrong warped the dragon's very being. The feel of power drove him mad and made him crave more. Baelfire saw this transformation early on and tried to bring him through a portal and into another world--- one without magic, where his father would be rendered powerless. But only Baelfire went through. He has tried to feel anger at his father for choosing power over family, but he cannot. He feels nothing but sorrow and regret, and continues to forgive him and blame himself for his demise. Even though he knows his father is lost forever, a part of Baelfire refuses to loose hope. The same part that will always love him, despite his actions.