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.

Mauvay is all about her frills. Since she is, of course, a Red Dorsal Dragon, she takes great pride in her more uncommon color, even going so far as to turn up her nose at purple dorsals. Besides being a "fiery flamenco dancer dancing through life", she takes great pleasure in preening in front of a mirror and making fun of other frilled dragons, one of which is Jinliu. She takes absolutely no interest in Jinliu's heritage obsession or the fact that her great-great-great-great grandfather and mother came from the same male dragon, or even that her earliest ancestors were Mints. She was, however, so interested in the fact that her family line had five retired pinks in it that she desisted from calling Jinliu "Dorkfrills" for two whole days.