Seasonal Dragons take on the characteristics of the season during which they are born. Thus, eggs that are laid in spring match the pink flowers and green buds of spring, and those that are laid in the summer grow to depict the bright green of the forest trees and the yellow of the sun. Eggs laid in autumn display the bright colors of leaves falling from trees, and those that are laid during winter take on the appearance of the icy snow.

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.

Frost Ferns is a very artistic dragon. His medium is decidedly unusual; rather than dyes or sculpture, he "paints" with ice. However, his abilities wax and wane with the seasons; in the summer, he is barely capable of sketching a couple of blurry lines in a puddle. This frustrates him, and in that season he is violent and volatile. He erupts at almost any provocation. The spring brings on apprehension; he knows that the time of incompetence is approaching, but because of the time pressure, he gets the most done during that season. In the winter, he is in his prime, frosting every available surface with beautiful patterns and paintings. Able to express himself at last, he is cheerful and friendly, if a little manic at times--he is apt to draw on sleeping dragons by accident. The other dragons had to persuade him not to try his art on eggs or hatchlings; it took a couple of accidental freezings for the lesson to sink in.