Vampire Dragons are members of the undead. They sustain themselves by drinking the blood of others. It is said that they are only “alive” at night, and seem dead or asleep during the day, as they cannot endure sunlight for long periods of time. Vampire Dragons can only reproduce by changing the eggs of other dragons, puncturing the shell with their fangs and injecting venom that kills the baby inside.

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.

One inattentive moment was all it took; an egg, cracks already appearing on its surface, was left unattended not too deep in the cave, and Escaine snatched it just as its parents sounded the alarm. Even the sleek Silvers were no match for the power of her wings; with the speed of wind the egg was safely brought back to her lair, ready to be turned.

Mollachd's egg was bitten when he was almost ready to hatch. Somehow he seems to have retained some memory of his former home, unborn though he was; as he matured and suffered an overwhelming urge to bite, he sought out his old clan, watching his family as they came and went. As night fell, he sneaked into what was once his home, creeping past his siblings. Soon his gleaming red eyes found what they were looking for: a Guardian egg, rolled a little bit apart from its parents, ready to be turned. Mollachd sank his fangs in its shell and filled it with his venom. His curse had been passed on.