Spitfires are a desert breed of dragon. Their dull brown bodies contrast with their brilliant turquoise markings, and they only blaze brighter when these dragons fight. Spitfires are notorious for their territorial natures, and the wing-edges of most are ripped and tattered before their first year is out. Spitfires are also noteworthy for their brilliant blue fire, which is used not for hunting or fighting, but rather for making glass caves from the sand, in which the dragons can soak up the sun.

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.

James Monroe is a good friend of James Madison, and this might be why he was eventually elected leader of his cave. After James became leader, many of the other dragons were very happy. They called the time that he was a leader "the era of good feelings." However, these good feelings did not last very long. There were issues in the foreign lands (which had not yet been conquered by altera's dragons) and this caused strife for the dragons of this cave. James made a decision, which he called "the Biome Compromise." The Biome Compromise said that the alpine, forest, and jungle dragons had to live on the left side of the cave, while the other dragons had to live on the right side of the cave. Many dragons felt that this was a poor decision on James' part, and now they don't like him as much.