Fire Gem Dragons are a colorful, flamboyant breed often found in hot climates, particularly around active volcanoes. Their broad tails store the flames they breathe, which are colored by the heavy amount of minerals in the water they drink. These dragons come in a variety of colors, and will collect shiny trinkets and stones that match their own coloration. Despite their hoarding tendencies, though, Fire Gem dragons are social and will often congregate in groups and show off their collections while fawning over the stones their friends and rivals have gathered, occasionally arranging trades.

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.

Mere Fig lives with a small group of various dragon breeds, including a snow called Nows. He also happens to be Secret Editor 2 for Nows, who is a poor speller and often mixes letters up. Nows was responsible for the "LIAR" sign above their cave entrance, and Mere Fig doesn't have the heart to point out that it's misspelled. Many writers have tried dropping hints and giving Nows writing tips, but he either doesn't remember or doesn't wish to listen. When Nows sends something to be published at the Hall of Pages, Mere Fig (or one of the other Secret Editors) intercepts the courier or the hall's inbound tray and corrects the spelling in the document. Nows doesn't seem to notice the edits when the sign or note is published and has no idea that some of his flatmates are going through his work.