Spotted Greenwings are relatively small nocturnal dragons. Easily recognizable by the fleshy appendages growing off of their head and rump, they are most commonly seen in forests at night, leaping and soaring from tree to tree. While generally social, spotted greenwings are very quiet and rarely make any sort of vocalization. Their bodies are unusually warm to the touch, though they are unable to breathe fire. Greenwings are voracious feeders and will consume nearly any living thing that they can fit in their mouths.

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 Taslin is in a good mood, she often likes to tell stories. One of her favorites is of a sweet little Magi dragon that couldn't perform magic to save her life. In the story, the little Magi is shown to be rejected, unloved, and (if Taslin is feeling a bit angry) horribly bullied. Over time, the Magi gets more upset, but utterly unable to do anything. Eventually, hunters come, armed with charmed weapons and armor. The others fight, and lose. The only one not caught is the magic-less Magi. The Magi debates with herself as to whether or not she should try to save them, but soon realizes that saving what was her clan is the right thing.

The Magi dragon sets off, and saves her clan (a few of them, anyway), and for months, they are grateful. However, as time passes, they forget what she did, and go back to being cruel.

Maybe Taslin herself is cruel in telling it, but she figures that teaching the hatchlings gratitude is not eternal early is a good thing. She had to learn the hard way.