Nebula Dragons are nocturnal creatures. With the best eyesight to be found, they are often seen staring into space. Each dragon tends to observe a particular nebula and will eventually change their colors and patterns to match it. As the nebula changes over time, the dragon changes with it. The more intricate the design of the nebula, the better chance an individual has of attracting a mate. It is said that the markings on no two Nebula Dragons will be exactly the same.

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.

Oeni may be highly nocturnal, but she is not naturally a night owl. Every evening she pumps herself up with coffee until her blood contains more coffee than plasma, and then works the night away, sorting her records and doing calculations. As Oeni works in organising the food supplies, she is allowed to work at any time she wants, provided that any shortage of supplies is pointed out in ample time. Oeni works in the vegetation division, monitoring how many herbs and grains they currently have, and therefore how much they can give per dragon that day. Of course, in the summer and autumn this is easy to do, as there is more than enough food for everyone, but in the winter Oeni must be harsh in deciding who deserves their limited grain stock, and who must go with half rations for that day. It is for that reason that Oeni prefers to work at night, as she cannot bare to see the faces of those who she has made go hungry for that day.