Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Mage delights in sleight-of-paw trickery. He is always producing coins out from behind other dragons' ears and flowers from under random bits of cloth. The younger hatchlings always fall for his trickery but the older ones just roll their eyes and say they've seen it all before. It never discourages Mage who is forever on the lookout for new magic to perform.