Perhaps among the most venerated of dragon breeds is the Zyumorph, a breed whose selfless heroism and strong moral compass are nearly unparalleled by other dragons. Zyumorphs have an innate urge to fend off wrongdoing, and as such, are often sought after in times of peril. Although they are independently quite capable fighters, it is said that their true might is not unlocked until all six Zyumorphs are brought together in times of great duress.

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.

The Braid, a collective of dragons dedicated to making the world a better and safer place, got its name from its three interwoven goals of prevention, preservation, and restoration. The pragmatic dragons of the Preservation Strand help pick up the pieces and prevent further loss after disaster strikes, but recognize that not all that was lost can be recovered. Ninemk is good at both prioritizing and delegating. With the help of her nilia assistant, she takes stock of what survived the crisis, makes a list of what is in most need of shoring up, and assigns dragons to carry out necessary tasks. Being a zyumorph helps, as the breed's heroic reputation makes it more likely that others will listen to her.