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.

What's-Her-Name is a snarky dragon, and everyone who isn't her brother likes her for being so clever and lovable. One of her goals is to take over the world and make all humans bow to her, but it doesn't work because there's a bunch of strong dragons always around to stop her. She can't help but hold her head up with a touch of pride when her goody-two-shoes brother scolds her for causing so much mayhem that one or more zyumorphs have to be summoned. Curiously, many of the humans think What's-Her-Name is rather cool and often try to befriend her despite her wishes to make their species her servants. She can fight with her claws and teeth, but she prefers to create illusions to escape unharmed and is on par in illusion magic with that of many golden wyverns.