When Water Dragons mature, they lose the ability to survive on land, entering the water permanently. They are adept swimmers and eat whatever fish are in the lake they live in. They tend to inhabit the same lake for their entire lives, although a few live in the ocean and swim all over the world.

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.

Slinky heard it whispered when he was still in his egg that true names have power. Thus he adopted the nickname that fit him perfectly before ever slipping into the water the first time and kept it long after he was too large for it to make sense any more. Although he has felt the call to the sea a few times, he has decided to remain in the lake close to his cave of hatching, for he has too many friends and good memories to wish to leave. Besides, he has gained a reputation among the local human population as a mysterious lake monster, and he enjoys the notoriety.