Gemshard Dragons are small, gregarious, expressive easterns, living in large clans high in the jungle canopy. Their bodies are covered in tiny, gem-like scales that shimmer in direct light, and each dragon has a unique pattern of markings on the forked spade of its tail. Though Gemshard Easterns cannot fly, they often leap from springy branches high into the sky on sunny days and perform acrobatic spins and twirls to entertain themselves. When the weather turns foul, they pile up together on sturdy tree limbs and interlock the forks of their tails with others to keep warm and dry.

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.

This dragon loves the high branches of the jungle canopy.

In his younger days, he tried exploring on the jungle floor. He jumped with speed onto a path below him that was covered with wet leaves and mud. Instead of staying put where he landed, his feet slid on the slick leaves and he crashed. He rolled about on the jungle floor for a while, his back hurting too much to work his way back up into the trees.

Small jungle animals tended him after extracting a promise that in return he would never eat any of their kind. He was happy to make that promise, as he never intends to return to the jungle floor where they live.

Zlypps's feet have not touched ground in twenty-three years.