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.

Professor Ivanna Helsing got her name from her habit of always trying to seek out Halloween aka Vampire aka Undead dragons. Why she does this is a bit of a mystery to her clan. They know it's not because she likes Vampires. No she doesn't. Not at all. Not one bit. In fact if she had her way they would all be exterminated into extinction. Her clan's human knows this about her though, because her human once caught her trying to stake a clan vampire dragon with a stick she was holding tight in her jaws. And that's why she is named Professor Ivanna Helsing, because upon seeing that, her human was reminded of vampire hunter extraordinaire Professor Van Helsing.