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.

Haferbrei's favorite food is porridge made of oatmeal. Her mother and father procured some when she was five or six, and she loved it, especially when sprinkled with bits of sugarcane. Whenever she was in a sour mood, she would pester them in the cave-hall-tunnel to cook some oatmeal for her to make her feel better. When it came time to pick her name, she even declared she wanted to be named Oatmeal, but her father wouldn't allow it, saying it doesn't sound dignified and also pointing out she would eventually grow out of her oatmeal obsession. After some thought, she picked Haferbrei instead, and that was acceptable. Once she was a few years older, she began taking jobs in surrounding districts to earn money so she could buy oatmeal and the occasional container, and this is still something she does -- oats are pretty cheap in this region, and she can get a sizable sack just from a week's guard duty wages.