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.

When water dragons mature, they lose their legs and the ability to survive on land, entering the water permanently. They are adept swimmers and eat whatever fish are in the lake they live in. They tend to inhabit the same lake for their entire lives, although a few live in the ocean and swim all over the world.

Taken in when abandoned by his draconic parents, Ashunar grew up with his egg-brother Arunar and his egg-sisters Paliau (quite a bit older) and Mephau. Anhoffter and Achubiaeth are the co-leaders of the military, while Brydiau and Chwithau share domestic duties. Although he has no memory of any other clan matriarch but Zyrieen, he is naturally adept in the water, and leads the water division of the military...reluctantly. He prefers the solace of his studies in the cold halls of his lakebed lair - although one thing that will always make him surface is his childhood sweetheart, Mephau. They share a passion that has been formalised in a mating ceremony, and pursue a relationship despite his water-bound state.