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.

Valen is anything but a stereotypical Black Dragon. He is certainly apt at tactical magic, and an able warrior, but the resemblance ends there. He is a great admirer of the White Dragon, has been taking secret lessons in healing magic from Gabrielle, and is almost as skilled as she in the arts of healing.