Turpentine Dragons are named for the oil that covers their scales. This oil resembles turpentine in odor and is mildly toxic; it will not kill but it burns to the touch and will cause illness in anyone who ingests it. Turpentine Dragons roam in large packs, often stealing food from larger dragons, though they are able to hunt for themselves if necessary. Many other breeds consider Turpentine Dragons to be pests, so they primarily breed among themselves.

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.

Zaeperyon Naofin is fun-loving and optimistic, if a bit short-tempered. She is the only member of the de Bixen branch that is not related by blood. She is proud of her lineage, but she never talks about it because she doesn't want anybody to find out that she's an inbred. She mostly doesn't want Vindere, the head of the de Bixen branch, to find out, because he might ban her from the branch. She knows that then Kotaruk will defect to stay with her, and she doesn't want him to have to leave his family.  She thinks Vindere realizes that she's hiding something and tries to avoid him.