Dragons are creatures with nearly unlimited life spans. They can survive for long periods of time, and no one has found a dragon that has died of old age. Adolescence 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. Once they hit adolescence, hatchlings change quickly, maturing to their full forms in only 2 years.

Dragons don’t communicate with each other verbally, but they will growl to scare off predators and frighten prey. Young dragons will emit an extremely high-pitched squeal when they are frightened. To communicate, they use telepathy with each other and to speak to other creatures.

Christmas dragons are a very mysterious breed. They are only seen during winter, and even then it is hard to catch a glimpse of one. They are responsible for the general cheer that spreads during the holidays. In essence, they are the “Spirits of Christmas.”

Dasher was so-named because even as a hatchling, it seemed that he was always in a hurry to get somewhere, even when 'somewhere' was only the other side of the cave where his younger brother, Dancer, awaited.  As an adult, Dasher is little different.  He is considered one of the more wayward dragons in Lorraine's caves, not keeping faithful either to a mate or to a cause.  His inability to make a solid choice has sometimes led to trouble, for though most of his lovers know his nature enough never to ask for more, he once was claimed as permanent husband by a dragon-horse... the resulting forced marriage was very unhappy, and he eventually moved away from her nest to wander once again.

     One of their offspring, Nouveau Sourire, often spends time with his father and occasionally attempts to mediate their marriage in the hope that they will someday be the happy family that they never were.