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.

Inductee is good at playing turnerpin and teaching it to others, and she thinks she's not a very interesting dragon or good at anything else. She was named "Inductee" at birth, and for the next 28 years, her name was seen as a curiosity. It was often mistaken for a title or common descriptor, and folks would ask where she was inducted—the answer was "nowhere". Then she became a pretty big name in turnerpin as a side catcher for the Zaria Tornadoes, breaking 11 records in four seasons and getting a maneuver named after her, the In Four-Pivot. She was inducted into the Turnerpin Gallery of Achievement in her 24th season, after 10 years of being passed up. By then, rumors that her name would unfairly influence the committee into voting her into the Gallery had turned to outrage that she had not been voted in yet. Inductee greatly enjoys turnerpin, but she's now considering finding another activity to do. Maybe she could be good at it to be an inductee into another famed dragon list.