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.

This old dragon believes that his clan has begun to fall from its old values. He proclaims that back in the old day, when his clan was but two leaders and a few dragons, that they, a tiny new clan, could get more papers, cheeses, and trio dragons than many of the huge clans. He remembers the old days when he was not of the clan, when he would observe with admiration from the bushes as the snatchers of long ago brought back a paper, or perhaps a magma, every single day. And he wants those old days back. It has been six months since the last rare, he says, and he is, indeed, right. Many object to him, saying that the clan has moved on, that common dragons with unique stories and descriptions are better than masses of nameless rares. But surprisingly, the leaders agree with him. So this radical, yet well-meaning, dragon has been placed in charge of retraining the snatchers to possess their legendary quickness, their lightning speed, that allowed them to get so many rares so long ago.