Gemshard Dragons are small, gregarious, expressive easterns, living in large clans high in the jungle canopy. Their bodies are covered in tiny, gem-like scales that shimmer in direct light, and each dragon has a unique pattern of markings on the forked spade of its tail. Though Gemshard Easterns cannot fly, they often leap from springy branches high into the sky on sunny days and perform acrobatic spins and twirls to entertain themselves. When the weather turns foul, they pile up together on sturdy tree limbs and interlock the forks of their tails with others to keep warm and dry.

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.

Among the gemshard dragons of the JavaTiger Clan, it is a fervent belief that a great Emperor, once upon a time, was transformed into one of their kind and ascended to Heaven along with three of his favorite concubines. Reputed to be no less than a 'Son of Heaven', a Tiazi, a DIRECT child of the Emperor; Yinghouchong, is treated with great respect by both the gemshards of the clan and the clan in general. Among his Hua Chaoting, his Court, he is known for his astonishingly good looks; and it is agreed that he is one of the handsomest of the Heavenly Emperor's sons. He has seen to it that the gemshards of the JavaTiger have sworn their loyalty to the Hua Clan, the family of the High Concubine Hua, herself. As a member of the Hua Clan, Ying is noted for not JUST his looks, but for his keen and cunning mind as well and personally for his rather flamboyant personality, which has granted him his name, the Firefly Prince. Still, he is just and honorable, as befits a son of the Emperor.