Originating from a single species that thrived in ancient times, Xenowyrms have become an incredibly diverse breed whose appearances vary depending on their habitats. Each Xenowyrm subspecies is heavily reliant on the power of different types of mana, making them powerful magic users. Pharos are an aloof and majestic Xenowyrm that is most often seen gliding through the shimmering skies over the desert. Their gleaming scales catch and reflect the light in a most pleasing manner, and many attempt to find their valuable fallen scales around their lofty desert mountain perches. While they don’t seek out attention or companionship, those seeking the knowledge of a Pharos may find themself bestowed with decidedly unconventional wisdom.

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.

Holdfast Weyr is known as The Coil by former Braid dragons, Seawrack Tangle by former Xenotangle Weyr residents, and Holdfast Weyr by everyone else. Even though nobody can agree on what to call the place, it manages to be a close-knit community of dragons united by special living requirements. Kesliu was sent to Seawrack Tangle for his own good, as his fondness for long rants on every possible subject made him unbearable to be around. As his new home's residents are mainly aquatic, good at hiding, or prone to freezing bits of anyone who annoys them, he carries on long-distance arguments through enchanted crystal screens. These rants are much easier to ignore, especially when one can "accidentally" break the visual component of the communication and then wander off, leaving Kesliu with an empty room for an audience.