Golden Wyverns are known for their beautiful metallic scales and rumored magical abilities. Living high in the mountains, these dragons do not believe in killing for sport or pleasure. They will hunt only when hungry and defend themselves when provoked, but will avoid killing to the best of their abilities. Golden Wyverns often mingle with other dragons of similar color and take pride in their shimmering hide.

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.

Like her mate Solarshimmer, Shiningpetal was also a gift to her owner from another dragon raiser. Her full name is "Shiningpetal of Nicka", with "Nicka" as her ancestral surname bestowed upon her by her parent's human caretaker. She met Solarshimmer while she was a student in his literature class. She'd always had a crush on him, but he waited until she grew up to reciprocate affection. Unlike the other females who had (and some still are) courted him, Shiningpetal genuinely enjoys his lessons and discussions, though she prefers reading and writing poetry over novels. She is outspoken where he is quiet, and isn't afraid to state her opinion, but doesn't do so in a rude, brutish way, always letting others finish speaking first.