Guardian Dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian Dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

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.

Big strong and kind, from the time he hatched Sand was "big bro" for the other hatchlings. He'd often follow the other young ones to protect them when they were in danger. One day, he saw a young adult, a Gray female from his cave, Ziva, playing a dangerous game on a mountain prone to landslides. He called for the young female, but was not able to get her attention. He made it to her side just as the land slide started. Raising his tail, he shielded them both from the falling rocks. Under the dust, his eyes met the Ziva's. She'd injured a leg, so he brought her back to the cave across his back. From that day forward,they were inseparable, joined by their shared experience into one of the strangest loves their cave had known.