Sapphire Dragons were so named for their brilliant blue-green color, which is reminiscent of the gemstone. This breed was historically hunted for their scales; even long after, they remain distrustful of humans. Normally a Sapphire is not very aggressive, but they will defend themselves vigorously if under attack. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, with smaller portions of large insects and other invertebrates. Males woo females with vocalizations similar to bird songs. Sapphire Dragons are very loyal to their mates, and it is not unusual that they pair for life.

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.

Hope has had a rather unconventional upbringing, where her parents sent her to various acquaintances of theirs over the course of 20 or so years to care for her. Some of them said question everything; others said to not ask questions. One "instructed" her with vague comments about the potential for magic, while the dragon that she was shuttled to next taught her reading and mathematics and condemned magic. She was told to give in to her emotions (the more emotional the better) but to also remain stoic and dispassionate. Never listen to authority, including the authority who's telling her to never listen to authority. And humans are either the worst scum of Valkemare that she as a sapphire should crusade against or flawed but fine creatures with whom she should form alliances. Hope knows a lot of things but also feels she doesn't know anything.