Sandwaste Dragons are sparsely distributed across very hot, sandy, dry deserts. They grow to large sizes, but very slowly, and they are well adapted to the harshness of the desert, being capable of surviving for long periods with very little water and food. They are constantly on the hunt for prey large enough to sate them, catching it mostly by ambush or, rarely, running it down. However, Sandwaste dragons are opportunistic and will not shun carrion, insects, and even plants when desperate. They are solitary and nomadic and build no lasting bonds with one another, though there is little animosity among Sandwaste dragons when they encounter each other.

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.

Thirsty Desert is a klutzy burglar who's frequently seen "stalking" the roads of Hrash, though she doesn't live there. She steals a random assortment of things, and when she's inevitably caught, she returns them all and cheerfully accepts the punishments meted. People wonder if she can properly sneak up on or chase after something. What she's really after are more powerful tools and jewels, and her dopey appearance and bumbling movements allow her to do things under others' snouts. No one can learn the extent of Thirsty Desert's actions. She won't allow it. The one time she was caught, she convinced them that the dust storm was an accident and that she's very sorry about the destruction to East Hrash. There are unsolved mysteries that have accrued over the years, including a string of deaths and the collapse of the royals of old, that continue baffle the coppers and investigators. Most of them have some connection to Thirsty Desert.