Hydrophidius Dragons are sometimes mistaken for wyrms or sea serpents, but in actuality, they are a variety of semi-aquatic amphiptere. These serpents have a reputation for bringing ill fortune, and for having deadly venom. While they do have venomous fangs, their toxins are far less deadly than the rumors suggest, and their sightings largely coincide with storms because the dragons tend to seek shelter along the coastline when the weather is too severe. However, their tendencies to exaggerate their own abilities and to have capricious, grandstanding personalities don’t help the misunderstandings. They’re often hunted by superstitious seafarers, but removing Hydrophidius from the ecosystem tends to cause many more problems than it solves: these ambitious hunters feed exclusively on jellyfish and massive sea beasts that take dozens of dragons working together in tandem to bring down, and a sea without Hydrophidius Dragons tends to be a dangerous, barren one. They are curious and not generally aggressive, and as long as one can tolerate their personalities, surprisingly easy to befriend and protective of those they come to care for.

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.

Acherontia was the only survivor of a full brood of eight, the other seven mysteriously dying before hatching. Barely surviving herself, she managed to make it to adulthood bearing a skull-like marking in her pattern thus deciding her name. The others tend to avoid her as misfortune seems to follow her around from birth. Despite this, she is a boisterously friendly dragon and very personable, happily raising abandoned broods on rare occasion and closely protecting them. Though this does not mean the reputation that precedes her doesn't frustrate her, leading to outbursts and fights amongst her and her more superstitious compatriots. But for the few who are willing to call her a friend, she would gladly defend them to her death if need be.