Grave Dragons are not named for their connections to death or burial, but for the grave expression on their faces. This strange expression is used as a defense mechanism that causes fits of panic and terror in potential predators. Since they only eat ash and charcoal, they do not hunt. Grave Dragons are powerful fire-breathers and have been known to burn down forests and villages alike to make meals. It is believed that the markings on each Grave Dragon’s wings are the faces of those who have lost their lives in fires started by that dragon.

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.

Long before he first felt the urge to destroy, Polydice was told he was a killer. He never wanted to hurt anyone, and tried to be the gentlest dragon he could in order to prove he wasn't the monster everyone said he was, but when his wings grew in he began feeling nihilistic urges. At first, his fear overpowered his wants, and he fled far in search of some way to stop. He found a lead—Thyras—but not after razing a few villages. Thyras, impressed by his destruction, traded him information for riding her of 'brigands' (paladins aware of Thyras's necromancy).

This led Polydice to Hanica, far to the northwest. She instantly understood Polydice's plight since she was battling her own breed tendencies, and gave him shackles blessed by Akebono, goddess of Oath and Abandon. Poly swore to the goddess that he would never kill another civilized creature, and would abandon the killer ways of his kind. Now, whenever he feels inclined to destroy, Polydice uses the shackles to restrain himself.