Brute Dragons are among the larger dragon breeds. They prefer to live in solitude or small groups, nesting in high, mountainous regions. The only time they openly seek the company of others is during the mating season, when males will fight for the attention of females. The thunderous crash of Brute Dragons butting horns against each other in competition for mates can be heard nearly a mile away.

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.

Barlithina was found as an egg by a group of dragons who called themselves a "clan", and despite the normal behavior of her species, was forced to join and remain in it. She is one of the best fighters in this "clan", and is typically defending against outsiders around the borders so that she can be away from her "clanmates". She's short-tempered and holds grudges for a very long time, so many hatchlings are afraid of her. She resides in a cave in the mountains so that she may retain some sort of solitude.