From the introduction: Originally perfected in the independent city of Kingsdale (east and slightly north of Castle Refuge in the wilds of southern Missouri), the process of creating Dragon Juicers now offers one more method by which Lord Dunscon plans to build an unstoppable army. Techno-Wizards (and at least one radical dragon practitioner of alchemy and magic) experimented at great length with dragon blood as a supplement for the normal biochemical stew that gives a Juicer his power. Further empowered with supernatural might, a Dragon Juicer is a frightening thing... but also additionally burdened, as he craves life-giving dragon blood while still facing an early death.