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.

Tala is a cave sentry. She usually takes night shifts, and therefore sleeps for a good portion of the day, dozing in the sun. A calm dragon, she rarely gets agitated or upset. Despite spending most of the others' waking hours asleep, she still has an uncanny ability to know what is going on in the cave. Her namesake is a Tagalog star goddess.