Black Dragons are warriors. They are strong and capable in battles of force, but also ample magic users, capable of devastating opponents with their spells. Their bright eyes give them excellent night vision, which is why they generally hunt during the night.

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.

Slurren grew up as a typical playground bully, and never changed. He has always had a mean demeanor, and intimidates victims into never revealing his aggression. He picks on the weakest of dragons; often striking blows against the mint dragon Areim, as he has since she was a hatchling. As a result Areim is constantly shy and sad, avoiding the company of all. She has no friends, and unless she gains one, Slurren's abuse is likely to take her life-he is crafty, and is likely to never be noticed by cave leadership, who he avoids constantly. Yet Slurren's greatest crime may be the loss of the hatchling, Naeryl-driven from her cave and family by his abuse, only to be captured by Kalakanath the Mad, the bestial stalker of the unprotected.

Slurren gloats silently to himself, smiling at the faces of his victims. Meanwhile, miserable Areim walks friendless in the rain, the fire of her life beaten away... And a the assassin Naeryl stalks the skies, hunter of all she once held dear.