Turpentine Dragons are named for the oil that covers their scales. This oil resembles turpentine in odor and is mildly toxic; it will not kill but it burns to the touch and will cause illness in anyone who ingests it. Turpentine Dragons roam in large packs, often stealing food from larger dragons, though they are able to hunt for themselves if necessary. Many other breeds consider Turpentine Dragons to be pests, so they primarily breed among themselves.

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.

Taeza Knaxy was abandoned as an egg by her parents Viscount Knaxy and Vidame Intox. Growing up alone, she fought fiercely for her survival. Considered a pest by both humans and other dragons, Taeza faced starvation. She haunted the outskirts of villages, hunting the humans' pets for sustenance. Unfortunately, this was not overlooked by the villagers. When they organized into a mob, she fled for her life on untested wings. More matured, Taeza lived on the coast for the remainder of her adolescence, preying on the fish and wayward hatchlings. Once fully matured, the other adult coastal dragons drove her away from their territory, forcing Taeza to once again search for a new home. After many failed attempts at securing a territory for herself, she traveled to the remote regions of the desert, practically devoid of life, and settled there. She violently removed any trespassers including possible mates, seeking to mate with no inferior turpentine dragon. Taeza believes herself above this.