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.

When Erymas was still in his egg, his father was killed by two other dorsal dragons who were seeking to steal his territory. After killing Erymas' father, the two drove him and his mother out. When he became a nearly mature hatchling, his mother finally fell ill with grief. Several days later, Erymas and his mother were attacked by a small group of human hunters who had wished to add a dragon to their trophy collection. His mother killed the entire party, but later died, due to her severe wounds. From that moment on, Erymas had to learn to fend for himself.He was uncannily cunning, even for a dragon. He could evade every single trap and ambush set for him.

Erymas now dwells in the woods, which are, rumored by the village folk there, to be haunted with evil spirits. Perhaps these spirits are just the lonely Erymas, wandering lost and wailing in a black, dark forest.  He hates the world for the misery it brought upon him, and will savagely attack any human that is unfortunate enough to