Caligene Dragons have long been considered omens of death—reinforced by the skeletal markings on their bodies. They exert a malignant force on the world around them, causing other living things to slowly waste away in their presence. Caligenes favor the seasons of summer and autumn, disappearing entirely from the forests they inhabit during winter and spring. These malevolent dragons are physically weak, though this is countered by their natural stealthiness and alarming speed—enabling them to close in on large targets quickly and silently to create ambushes from which prey cannot escape.

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.

Benchwarmer only shows up in Cata Juboga during certain holidays and events. She's known by many dragons as the Grand Prize Winner of the 19th Annual Best Rhyme of Your Life and the one responsible for a little tradition started that year. She was proud of her song and enjoyed recognition, but she disliked the attention of the crowd, barely able to stay on the podium and fighting the urge to melt people nearby. When the winners were having their pictures taken after prizes were handed out, she bolted and wasn't seen again in Cata Juboga until the Harvest Dance two months later. Since the artist didn't get a really good look at her, her image ended up sketchier, with more artistic flourishes than the images of the other winners, and people really liked that look. From then on, subsequent Best Rhyme of Your Life Grand Prize Winners' portraits would have a much stylized look. When Benchwarmer joins other feasts and celebrations, sometimes she's complimented and congratulated still.