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.

Phelps Thuwed is a renowned racer in his clan, for swimming of course. Even as a hatchling Phelps continuously broke records set by adult dragons specifically bred for racing purposes. Many dragons were surprised at Phelps' abilities, since Phelps was simply a young water that came from a family that wasn't known for producing athletes or racers. Now as a full-grown adult, Phelps holds a great number of the clan's records in his figurative paw. Phelps has not let his successes go to his head however. He is kind-hearted and has still continued training rigorously, knowing that the second he becomes an arrogant racer who thinks that he deserves the success is the second that he will lose everything.