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.

Erlkoenig is a great hunter. He could easily hunt enough prey to last him a week in a single night. But Erlkoenig loves the hunt, so there's no night when he won't be found roaming the woods hunting down animals to exhaustion. Often he brings home prey for his clan mates to share but on some nights he won't. On his better nights Erlkoenig doesn't hunt for prey but for a worthy opponent and on his best nights he finds someone worthy to be spared.