Originating from a single species that thrived in ancient times, Xenowyrms have become an incredibly diverse breed whose appearances vary depending on their habitats. Each Xenowyrm subspecies is heavily reliant on the power of different types of mana, making them powerful magic users. Astrapi are easily the most temperamental of all Xenowyrm subspecies. Their unpredictable behavior—coupled with their masterful control of lightning magic—has the potential for devastating results. Most of their time is spent airborne, flying through the skies or circling mountainsides for prey.

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.

Checki Slavakia may seem off-putting given her loud, self-confident demeanor, but she makes a point to be friendly when she finds herself among other dragons. Usualy, she lives alone except for her mate Ocsedhi Dyonysus, off the coast near where the Drowned Mountains give way to the Outer Ocean. She loves to fly with him, which is wonderful because of the distance they travel not infrequently to visit his relatives in their Weyr among some unnamed volcanoes. While she considers them fine individuals, she cannot stand the chaos of their picking new partners every season.

On the rare occasion that she and Ocsedhi argue, Cheki throws tantrums and often turns her lightning upon his pantry. Until she calms down—which takes some time—she displays the erratic violence her kind are known for. She is always sorry afterwards, returning with lowered crests and some gifts—usually wine, since he loves a small glass in the evenings.