Cassare Dragons are known for their magic-deadening abilities. Though not a conscious ability, a large field surrounds the dragon through which magic is passively nullified. This field is strongest near the dragon itself, and falls off with distance. The absence of magic often makes other creatures avoid them, though some will have the opposite reaction and seek refuge instead. It has also caused them to be hunted, as though the field is severely weakened once dead, their bones and scales retain some of the effect. Possessing such an item is considered a necessity by those who expect to face hostile magic.

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.

Auradarker's mate, Wardbreaker, is a dragon of some influence in the powerful Weyr of Flame. She advises the Emperor Flameflow on matters of import to the entire continent, and she is well-compensated with mana, food, and all else her family requires.

Her wealth and power mean that Auradarker has the rare role of cavekeeper: a dragon in the Weyr whose only duty is to care for and teach his hatchlings, keep his cave neat, and pursue whatever other pursuits he wishes in his spare time. It's a privilege and one that makes him very proud indeed of his clever, steady mate, whose brilliance provides him the time to snuggle their hatchlings and work on his interests. He helps out with some other communal Weyr chores, so as not to seem lazy or selfish to his Weyrmates, but he has plenty of time to keep a small crystal collection and travel to find pieces, taking his sweet hatchlings with him on the field trips.

He loves his life in the Weyr of Flame nearly as much as his mate. Only nearly.