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.

Hektor is fiercely protective of his family and clan, and works hard to perfect not only his strength and skill but his magical powers and strategic knowledge. He is also a natural leader, expert at settling disputes and judging questions of law and government. He sometimes seems to bear within himself a burden of guilt and sorrow for an unexplained, long-ago failure to protect those in his care, and is determined never to let such a thing happen in his life as a dragon. He also has an odd peculiarity in battle—if given the opportunity, he will generally attempt at least once to bite his opponent's heel. When asked why he does this, he sighs, "If only I'd known then what I know now..." He is a loving husband and father, and is (unusually for his clan) monogamously devoted to his mate Andromakhe.