Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Joyous Mauve is the self-proclaimed leader of a self-proclaimed branch. More and more Purple Dorsals have started joining the clan, and rather than join the Angel branch or the Incendiars, they formed their own little branch they deemed the Violet branch. The original members, Joyous Mauve, Canambi Entowwin, Arkanewwen, and Magis Demona, banded together as hatchlings. Mauve was the only female and the first to mature, and she proved to be a strong natural leader. All of the other original members have expressed interest in being her mate, but Mauve has always been somewhat paranoid and thinks that they only want to take her place as head of the Violet branch.