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.

Stolen Elama didn't want to be a Vampire dragon. The word "elama" means "life". She named herself, believing her life had been stolen. Once, long ago, she was a Dorsal dragon, ready to hatch. But Zobs, her creator, was desperate for a friend who wouldn't shriek and run out of fear for what he was. He stole an egg from the nursery, despite the Tribe's many warnings to stay away from the eggs and hatchlings. He bit, changing the hatchling inside to what he was.

Elama can't stand water--she hates seeing what reflects there. She hates the fact that the Tribe consider her a threat to the young eggs. And she absolutely loathes Zobs. She blames him for what she is, and despite his many attempts at consolation, Elama refuses to have anything to do with him.