Holiday dragons are a very mysterious breed. They are only seen during winter, and even then it is hard to catch a glimpse of one. They are responsible for the general cheer that spreads during the holidays. In essence, they are the “Spirits of Winter.”

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.

When Merry and his brother Daze came to the Breedery, there was wild celebration. Everyone knew the Master had longed to have a pair of wild-born Hollies living there. There were other elusive species in the wild, but the Holly was at the top of Lurhstaap's wish list. Yet it was said his quest was impossible. The kinder Breedery dragons would glance at each other sadly when, each winter, Lurhstaap would go out into the cold and search for eggs from wild-born holiday dragons that didn't yet live at the Breedery. Each year, he would come back from the wilds with the eggs of a new species, never before seen. He would also bring eggs and younglings bred by other dragonmasters. It was always a happy time. Yet he never found the older species he was seeking in the wild. Until the year that he did! All of the new wild-borns were rejoiced over—the two Hollies most of all. For all that, Merry is a sweet, humble dragon who doesn't make too much of himself. He loves warm pastries and snuggling.