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.

Alinda Shieldtail is a very patient dragoness, with a deep love of hatchlings. She has an aggressive desire to protect, and takes her job as egg and hatchling-watcher very seriously. That she might let a hatchling wander away, where it could come to harm, is a prospect that haunts her dreams at night. She's very light-hearted and gentle with the hatchlings, which doesn't change the fact that they would go to great lengths to escape her gaze.

Her position brought her close to the grouchy red Egon, who was charged with helping tend the eggs. Despite his initial dislike of her (like everyone), he eventually fell for her patient charms and became her mate. This pairing produced the eager Ermelinda, who is Alinda's pride and joy. She loves her baby, but at last seems to be worrying that she's smothering her. She'll grit her teeth and let the hatchling scamper out into the world—but she worries the moment Ermelinda leaves the cave, breaking any resolve to let her grow on her own.