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.

Petirarch is well-known for his skills in poetry, though many raise an eyeridge at his subject of choice. Nearly every poem he writes is a love poem; rich, flowery text that weaves emotion and makes the reader's heart ache in longing... for some dragon named Laura. No one knows who the mysterious object of Petirarch's poetry is exactly. Even the author himself seems to have his doubts; he uses only vague words when describing her, stating nothing more specific than her beauty. There are many rumors as to who she is: one states that she is an old flame from years before, another that each poem is a tribute to his deceased sister who was a hopeless romantic. Whenever the question arises, Petirarch replies that Laura is nonexistent and simply an outlet for his emotions. His followers may be satisfied with this explanation, if Petirarch wasn't known for his secrets.