Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Over the last few centuries of living in a forest of mushrooms and tan trees, the humans' town has grown and encroached on what Cream Thuwed considers his territory. Due to local weather patterns, it's a smoky, noisy town, too, which prevents some plants from growing and keeps most of the larger fauna away these days. The denizens seem not to know there's a dragon nearby, or they just don't fear Cream. The narrowing of food choices for him may bring to mind an image of a poor animal whose habitat is diminished by pollution and development, but he is doing very well. Instead of foraging for plants and small-to-mid-size vertebrates, he now just moseys in and around town and eats whatever is lying around, usually trash and other discarded goods. He's gulped down a sunbather before, but due to the gray skies, there's not many.