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.

Ariven, sometimes affectionately called "Shiver", appears to be unusually timid for a guardian dragon. She rarely makes a sound, shies away from other dragons, and sometimes shivers for what looks like no reason. However, she's actually not timid at all. She is distant from other dragons because she is always deep in thought, planning ahead for things to come. She shivers because she often takes up the watch at midnight, when the chill winds are highest, and she gets cold easily. In practice, Ariven proves herself to be among the brightest and bravest of the Valkea guardians, making good use of her pre-formulated plans and refusing to back down even when the fighting gets rough.