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.

Dwarv is one of "those" dragons: an ever increasing-in-size group of individuals who all believe that their destinies (or at least their names) are dictated by a string of wiggly lines called a code. Dwarv, as an open-minded, believing hatchling, was influenced by the thoughts of the resident mad- er, eccentric Southbound, who described to her in flowery terms the code every dragon is assigned to as soon as they come into existence. Dwarv's destiny is related to dwarves. She knows from books and tales that they are strong and proud, love gold and other shinies, have a propensity to hold grudges, and live in stone halls—conveniently similar to dragons. Also, they sometimes sing and whistle as they work. Dwarv doesn't know how to do either, but she's sure she can learn a spell that emulates the sounds.