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.

Teal was viewed as an oddity as the only member of his family who sought education outside their territory. For his 45-year employment as a jurist, his writings spread throughout repositories in big cities, he accrued a lot of wealth. Some he brought home in the form of coins and jewels to be lain upon. The rest were invested. Having retired and deciding he needed something more interesting to do with his money, Teal drafts carefully-worded challenges and tasks for his amusement, and now, he's even more of an oddity to his family. Those challenges have long lost their novelty and value to them, but the folks in the communities where he gained fame are still highly interested due to the monetary prizes promised to the winner. Due to Teal's challenges, he is responsible for the creation and registration of 14 new chicken breeds, the trade ship named Peanut Booty, a bar jointly owned by three temperance activists, and the City of Shashi's Spider Day parade.