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.

Abel'rd, or Abel, is a pure-bred Guardian dragon. His name is taken from an older word, abelard, which means "noble strength". For the most part, he sticks to his duty as the clan's foremost protector. His breed's natural tolerance for all sorts makes him the ideal sentry at the nests. He watches over eggs and hatchlings of any breed, but is guilty of aloofness from time to time. His idea of a good day is to laze about with the clan's younger members. This carefree attitude can mislead others to believe he is too lax in his attention to possible threats, but Abel's knack for springing to action from a dead sleep has been known to cause surprise on many an occasion. Because of his laid-back ways, he does not rank high in dominance, but is regarded by his clan mates as a full-fledged part of their extended pack.