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.

Biconvex inherited his Purple mother's gentle nature, and as a result preferred to watch his father Aphakis experiment with glass-making rather than go out and tussle with other hatchlings. As he grew up, he began to assist Aphakis with his work. His interest was first piqued when he found one of his father's discarded lenses. Though the lens was thick, and oddly curved, it was perfectly clear. When Biconvex picked it up, the sun shone through it, forming a circle of bright sunlight on the ground. Entranced, Biconvex began playing with the lens, moving the circle of light around the sandy floor. The beam found a splinter of driftwood, and the circle became yellow, then red, then began to smoke. Biconvex yelped, and quickly dropped the lens. Aphakis looked up from his work and saw Biconvex staring at the smoldering wood, the dropped lens at his feet. Together, they repeated the experiment, and set the driftwood ablaze with an orange fire—a new color of flame for the curious Spitfires.