Nebula Dragons are nocturnal creatures. With the best eyesight to be found, they are often seen staring into space. Each dragon tends to observe a particular nebula and will eventually change their colors and patterns to match it. As the nebula changes over time, the dragon changes with it. The more intricate the design of the nebula, the better chance an individual has of attracting a mate. It is said that the markings on no two Nebula Dragons will be exactly the same.

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.

As an egg, Night Shadow somehow became separated from his parents and clan. He was found by a group of Sunset and Sunrise dragons. They had never seen a Nebula egg before, so they decided to wait and see what would hatch from it. When Night Shadow finally hatched, the other dragons quickly realized he was a Nebula dragon, a night creature, whereas they worshiped the sun. Their leader, Shayo of Helios, intended to have this shadow-beast killed. Only a kind soul, Shimmer of Helios, stood up for him and saved his life. He was allowed to live, but at a price: he became a slave of the clan, seen as a disgrace by all other dragons. Night Shadow grew up and still serves as a slave. But thanks to Shimmer, his intelligence rose to be far superior to those of other dragons and so did his sadness. Indeed, he longed to see more of the world, free to do whatever he wanted. Thus, every night when his masters are asleep, he gazes at the stars, at his nebula, dreaming of a better future.