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.

Guardian dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

Feliciano is a typical guardian dragon. He spends much of his time guarding cave entrances for other dragons that are hunting. Since many of these dragons keep hoards, they reward him with malachites (his favorite gem) or food. He doesn't ask for them, but accepts the gifts gratefully. A quiet creature, he rarely brushes minds with other creatures unless they initiate the contact. This is not so with a winter named Fulvia, who used Feliciano as a rebound but ended her dalliance after they parented an egg. Feliciano was devastated, and continues to pine over her.

Feliciano lives in a limestone cavern in a prairie when not guarding other caves, which is not often. He keeps his hoard here in a pit full of rainwater, which is deep enough that most creatures cannot get to it without getting very wet.