Stone Dragons have a tough outer covering made of a stone-like material. They eat rocks, using the minerals they contain for nourishment and to keep up their stone outer shell. They rarely move, and are the heaviest of all types of dragons. Although they have wings, indicating flight ability, no one has ever seen a stone dragon flying.

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.

To tell the story of this dragon, one must start with the story of his father, who could not get over the death of his first egg. As he sat on the shore motionlessly, staring at the horizon, no one would have mistaken him for a statue; the pain in his eyes was far too intense to be a work of art. But one stormy winter evening a kind Deep Sea Dragon of the Thuwed line appeared and told him she'd teach him a new word—the word was hope. When she left him he had a new egg to care for and cherish.

The New Word lives up to his name; he had the idea to have all Stone Dragons stand in front of the cave entrance, blocking it with their rock-like bodies and making it impossible for any predators to intrude. His father has been much happier since he can make himself useful and all the other dragons can now sleep safely. The New Word combines the kindness and benevolence of his mother with the thoughtful demeanour of his father, but his main feature is his cheerful optimism.