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.

Red dragons are similar to typical story book dragons. They shoot flames, can fly, etc. However, they aren't evil creatures as depicted in myths and won't go around raiding castles, killing knights, or kidnapping princesses. They live in a variety of habitats, from forests to coastlines to abandoned castles, usually in warm climates, and eat whatever living creatures they can find.

Elspeth, being a Red Dragon, chose to name herself in Welsh. Oddly, however, she also chose the Welsh name of an English queen - albeit one of Welsh descent. She has intensely high charisma and a very quick intelligence, but also possesses a sharp temper. However, her rages are carefully modulated to her audience (she does not, for example, flame humans or paper dragons). She is careful to keep herself in the peak of condition, eating lightly and practicing her fighting and flying skills religiously. She is a very loyal friend, fearless in the face of danger, and will fight to the death to defend her clan. She loves jewels, and has a hoard of them - particularly pearls, which Osun brings from the depths of the ocean and trades for land-jewels and gold.