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.

Scarrose once had to worry only about her decision to step down from her inherited role as next-in-line to rule the Featherwing Weyr. This was before the Great War, which broke out when King Yule, the treacherous Yulebuck, attacked the followers of Nightburner, the old leader of the Weyr. Many died in the fight, including Scarrose's beloved mate, Redsight, and the battle ended with the exile of all long-lined or inbred dragons. Scarrose has sunk into a deep melancholy since the death of her mate, and little can draw her from it. She spends most of her time wandering around the lands of the Fallen Weyr aimlessly, hunting for the Weyr but doing little else to contribute.

Her hatchling, Smallscar, and her father, Nightburner, are the only family Scarrose has left; Chocolatelove, the Red dragon, is in love with her, but she cannot be roused from her grief for Redsight, even so many years later.