Striped Dragons come in a dazzling array of colors complemented by an intricate pattern of stripes. These bright colors and patterns help attract their favorite food, insects. Because their prey is so tiny, striped dragons must spend a large portion of their day eating. The color of the offspring is usually determined by the dragon’s mate.

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.

A neurotic but gullible dragon, Ilerissa changes preferences as frequently as most dragons change their nest linings. Throughout her life, she has known little stability in her mentors, clan, or home, but seems to be fairly happy anyway. Thus, as an adult, she sees no reason to seek the internal calm that most dragons eventually possess. Her mate Infante fondly refers to her as his little whirlwind, while she alternately calls him by "darling", his name, or "that ugly infant!" depending on her mood.