When Water Dragons mature, they lose the ability to survive on land, entering the water permanently. They are adept swimmers and eat whatever fish are in the lake they live in. They tend to inhabit the same lake for their entire lives, although a few live in the ocean and swim all over the world.

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.

Apikalia is a dour dragon. She rarely surfaces to greet the human who raised her, and never sees other dragons. Much of her time is spent sleeping in the depths of her lake, which is nestled in a volcanic crater. When she does bother to leave her dreams, she hunts the fish that dwell in the shallower areas.

There are other creatures in the lake, things which she cannot name, which she avoids. Her lair is where the water becomes dark and no plants grow, but the lake must have an outflow deep underground, where she has not been. There are still many meters to be explored there.

This dragon has never been companionable; she often sulked alone in her pond as a youngling, and continues the habit now. Perhaps she will someday find a mate to suit her, but she never surfaces when her human friend brings a male with him. The dark complements her cold, hermetic personality.