Blacktip Dragons are a small, shore-dwelling breed that tend to nest on sheer ocean side cliffs. They live in groups under a dominant female, who prevents her subordinates from breeding. During the mating season, a group of Blacktips can be very noisy and smelly indeed; males produce a distinctive musky odor and loud, low-pitched honking noises in an attempt to woo the alpha female.

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.

Cherul was born to a group of Blacktips, but was chosen by her sister to be the next Alpha instead of her and was mocked for the group's decision. Because of the mockery, she never wanted to put up with, she ran away in hopes of finding a kinder group of dragons or perhaps a generous human. When she was sure she'd die of thirst, she met both dragons and a human.

The dragons and human were visiting neighboring caves and greeting them, while the human scribbled on parchment as she spoke, appearing to be writing under sketches of dragons. When the group saw Cherul, hope rose inside her as the human approached her. The dragons were eyeing the hatchling curiously, as if they were wondering why a young dragon wasn't with its mother. As soon as Cherul saw a large, blue-headed dragon, Cherul felt scared.

The human spoke funny words Cherul never heard of, but a dragon with black dots on its throat asked if Cherul wanted to join a tribe. Without hesitation, Cherul said yes.