Vampire Dragons are members of the undead. They sustain themselves by drinking the blood of others. It is said that they are only “alive” at night, and seem dead or asleep during the day, as they cannot endure sunlight for long periods of time. Vampire Dragons can only reproduce by changing the eggs of other dragons, puncturing the shell with their fangs and injecting venom that kills the baby inside.

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.

Allan Ruthven is one of the JavaTiger Clan vampires, all of whom have sworn fealty to lady Mina and to house Montague, and do her bidding without question. Oddly for a vampire, Allan considers himself to be a poet of the clan, and he has talent, although most of his works are on themes that vampires might find of interest, the shadows and stars of night, the thrill of the hunt and the bond between 'blood' siblings. He is encouraged in this activity by the lady Mina and her family, though most of the others of the group, with a few exceptions, are not so 'cultured'. Not that Allan cares; poets get bonus points with the females! His personality is an odd one, too. He is sociable, for a vampire; Allan is actually one of a few vampires that enjoys spending time with the other dragons of the clan. He has charm, too, such that it is almost possible to forget what he really is... a bloodthirsty creature of the night! Some even go as far as to say he could talk his way into any group he chose.