Pyralspite dragons are small, swift dragons that can breathe an intensely hot flame. They get their name from their resemblance to and affinity for garnets of the pyralspite family—they hoard such gems, preferring garnets that match their variant, and can tell the type of garnet from how it tastes. The dark red variant is known as Pyrope. They tend to be fiercely loyal and noble, and have a stronger sense of justice than other Pyralspites. They live primarily in volcanic areas.

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.

Though Copula is an adult and has the responsibilities of one, she's still very young compared to the vast majority of the pyralspites in her community. There are still things she can't be trusted to do on her own, such as delivering mail (the scrolls and packages "somehow" gain burn marks). When she's old and wise enough, in however many years that is, she wants to be an earl or a spy. Or both. Her favorite character and second favorite character in the serial plays that she attends every week hold those titles. Other people tell Copula that she should consider something else, saying she's unsuited for either. In fact, she doesn't know what "earl" really means. But she still would like to be an earl someday. Or a spy.