Black Dragons are warriors. They are strong and capable in battles of force, but also ample magic users, capable of devastating opponents with their spells. Their bright eyes give them excellent night vision, which is why they generally hunt during the night.

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.

Donatella Vita is perhaps the most mysterious of the dragons in Stromboli's nest. She wandered into the cave as a hatchling and simply made herself at home. Donatella Vita never speaks of where she came from, why she left, or how she found the nest, falling mute whenever such questions are asked. Being fairly noncombatant for a Black, she fit easily into the dynamics of the nest, hunting and scouting with the other Black dragons. The only dragon she clearly doesn't get along with is Adrianna Bambina, of whom Donatella Vita is terribly jealous for her relationship with Cecilio Aleron.