It was previously believed that purple dragons were exclusively female, but this is not the case. Recent environmental shifts have revealed the existence of both genders of this breed. Female behavior is well known; they are primarily herbivores but will eat meat during mating season. On the other hand, very little is known about the behavior and habits of male purple dragons.

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.

She Who Loves Silence is a merciful but dangerous dragon.  She looks kindly on those hatchlings just struggling to survive, and is a protector of those who don't.  Her nest in the weyr is strewn with the scales of the dead.  The unfortunate humans who bring her their unfortunate eggs and hatchlings to watch over are often the subject of her biting tongue and lashing tail.  If they are repentant, she gives them blessings for their future dragons.  Given her role in the weyr as Watcher of the Dead, She Who Loves Silence fears for her children constantly, but says little about it to her mate, She Who Holds a Thousand Souls.