Undine Dragons are named for the water spirits with which they share territory. They have close relationships with these spirits, and are able to communicate with them. In exchange for protection and respect of their mutual freshwater homes, laid eggs are often protected by a blessing. This blessing stays with the dragon into adulthood, and with it they gain potent magical abilities. Sometimes when an Undine Dragon becomes very upset, the ground at their feet may frost over or begin to steam. They have also been observed to manipulate water directly, rerouting raindrops or creating puddles from groundwater. Undine Dragons always live near forest pools, streams, or waterfalls. Both genders take equal part in the raising of young and are very good parents—though they may not remain mated after the offspring are grown.

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.

Tayden is the self-appointed king of Taydenville, his house. He has a small, devoted fanbase comprising his pet crab and jet leeches and some water spirits whom he says only he can see because only he believes in them enough. The city of Mistletoe Mikeopolis is in the process of turning a set of run-down houses unfit for habitation into a community garden, but an undine squatter in 715 Hexray Lane is making that difficult, what with his diatribes about government spies and liberal use of magic against anything perceived to be a problem. He also flooded the basement, which will set back the garden project by at least a month.