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.

"Withdrawn" was not quite the word to describe Soren. "Hostile" and "unpleasant" were more fitting to many, but to some--namely Ike--a better word was "friend." Soren returned that sentiment eagerly, almost desperately, prompting many to snort at what a dog he was.

Yet the reality was as bright as it was bittersweet.

Soren's childhood was agony. Separated from his parents by war, he survived as the abused pupil of a mage who mistook his birthmark for a sign of magical power and then as the ward of an orphanage. So miserable and malnourished was he that he never learned to speak--until he met Ike. A dragon of about his age, Ike took him in and made him a brother in all but blood. Given a chance to flourish, Soren proved his worth as a prodigy of military strategy, advising the mercenaries who followed Ike's father--and later Ike himself--from a very young age. Yet even as he now enjoys his life, ever faithful to his savior, the old scars still make him too wary around others...