Gemshard Dragons are small, gregarious, expressive easterns, living in large clans high in the jungle canopy. Their bodies are covered in tiny, gem-like scales that shimmer in direct light, and each dragon has a unique pattern of markings on the forked spade of its tail. Though Gemshard Easterns cannot fly, they often leap from springy branches high into the sky on sunny days and perform acrobatic spins and twirls to entertain themselves. When the weather turns foul, they pile up together on sturdy tree limbs and interlock the forks of their tails with others to keep warm and dry.

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.

Among the gemshard dragons of the JavaTiger Clan, it is a fervent belief that a great Emperor, once upon a time, was transformed into one of their kind and ascended to Heaven along with three of his favorite concubines. As sons often do, the Taizi has imitated his father in taking three mates... three of the most lovely gemshard females in existence, one from each clan. Unlike his father, however, the Taizi has very definitely decreed his favorite...The Lady of Roses, Sichou. This leaves the other two as his Aifei... still greatly favored. Baoshi is noted, as the Lady of Sky, the Jeweled Concubine, for being gifted with a silver tongue. She is a great story teller and she is charming when she so wishes to be. She is also clever and quick to see an opportunity coming her way, as, indeed, many in her clan are said to be... like the Concubine Tian many generations ago, it is said that she maintains the Taizi's favor, and manages to do it all the while without causing others to hate her.