Balloon Dragons are so named because they are filled with a gas that makes them almost lighter than air, similar to balloons. However, they are not prone to bursting, as they are covered in tough skin and can deflate themselves if necessary. In addition, they generally are slow moving. They use their gas bladders to float to the tops of trees, where food is more abundant. They can shift their weight from their backs to their fronts, allowing them to reach leaves and fruit.

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.

As a young Balloon hatchling just learning to float, Puffybreeze enjoyed testing this new skill. Early one morning, without one of the more experienced dragons supervising, she'd gone out and after a bit was able to go the highest she'd ever been, when a sudden crosswind came up and swiftly blew her away. Too terrified of falling to deflate, she called out for someone to get her down, but no one had realized she was missing yet. Tumbling through the air, the wind carried her on and on until finally the little Balloon collided with a startled Sunset dragon on his way to his daytime lair. She clung on for dear life as he landed, wondering what was going on. Safe on the ground at last, she calmed down enough to deflate and thanked the other dragon for saving her. He flew off with a "Don't mention it, kid." and a bemused "Wait'll the rest o' the flock hears about this!" To this day Puffybreeze refuses to fly or float unless the day is absolutely windless or she's tethered by a sturdy vine.