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.

As Estincelle was a gift from a friend of her Cave Mistress, she was hand raised until she was old enough to fly. When she was introduced to the rest of the clan at the clan's main cave, she decided she didn't like it and longed to return to the home of the Cave Mistress, despite now being too large to fit inside.

Nevertheless Estincelle continues to search for a way to go back, although her efforts are regularly thwarted by Ferhan, who is the only one who can remember the way.