Guardian Dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian Dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

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.

When Ategan Fireheart's followers dispersed, their leader's promises having faded under the light of harsh reality, Guardian Tawn could easily have made it back to more fertile lands. Instead, he chose to stay to help a small band of stragglers, and all of them nearly perished before he was able to persuade a pair of black marrow dragons to take pity on them. A loosely-knit dragon community was thus formed, and eventually came to be known as Bonescale Weyr. Life at Bonescale Weyr remains far from easy, and Guardian Tawn devotes all his time and energy to seeing that his charges stay safe and healthy. He even guards the two black marrow dragons, Pardak and Oroena, much to their chagrin.