Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Lazurus Oyonix got his name from Lazarus of the Bible. His master claims that it's a misspelling, but Lazurus likes that his name is unique, yet inspired. He was named after the biblical character because like Lazarus, he returned from the dead. When young, his master, Xyie, had gone on a short trip, leaving him and the rest of the hatchlings and eggs in the care of the elder dragons. When Xyie returned, the attending dragon, Mardeth, expressed her grief that she failed to keep the dorsal hatchling alive, and yielded the limp hatchling to her master's arms. With some careful study of healing magic and the help of Sha'nalla, Lazurus was brought back to life. He seems to have been scarred physically from this—his fins don't quite seem to work as well as they should, and on the hotter days he must rest in the cool caves. Lazurus isn't given to great risk-taking and tends to lead a quiet life, except when he's teaching the hatchlings.