Striped Dragons come in a dazzling array of colors complemented by an intricate pattern of stripes. These bright colors and patterns help attract their favorite food, insects. Because their prey is so tiny, striped dragons must spend a large portion of their day eating. The color of the offspring is usually determined by the dragon’s mate.

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.

Well I Red All About It is the mate of the ill-fated Imma White A Story, who sadly, cannot actually write stories because the white ink she makes from her own scales is completely invisible on the pale parchment she uses. However, Well I Red All About It hates seeing his mate so unhappy, and always tries to cheer her up by pretending to read the blank books she produces. She always responds happily, leaving Well I Red All About It satisfied with his efforts. However, while their relations might seem perfect on the surface, in truth Imma White A Story is beginning to suspect that Well I Red All About It is not being entirely truthful. Her suspicions are not founded on the fact that he never seems to be able to answer any questions she tests him with after giving him her latest blank book, or that he always tries to change the subject when she asks him to review her work. Instead, she suspects that he can't do what he claims—because she is certain that he cannot read at all.