Gold dragons are the ones most often killed by humans, who consider their scales to be extremely valuable. These golden scales grant them a high level of protection, similar to armor, and they use this to their advantage in battle.

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.

Heavy Sits the Crown is one of Phoenix's dragons. As the head of the circle of elders and Phoenix's closest confidante, Crown has the respect from every member of the clan. He is an apt fighter and an insightful planner, and marvelously patient, considering the amount of attention he gets for his appearance. Many of the hatchlings (and even certain adults) enjoy playing with his shed scales or using them as mirrors, or even trading them back and forth for favors or other gimmicks. Phoenix also uses his shed ones to reinforce her armor.

Crown has had many mates in his life, and is generally popular with the ladies. But at the moment, his attentions are focused on Feathers Drifting in the Air, the young medic that has recently replaced the old. Although she doesn't reciprocate the feelings quite as strongly, she is flattered by the handsome and high-ranking dragon's attention, and they seem to get along very well -- perhaps it will blossom into something more.