Royal Crimson Dragons are so named due to their massive size and confident, regal bearing. Most of the time they are laid back, ignoring non-prey creatures smaller than themselves, although they will occasionally take fresh kills from other dragons as a reminder of their place in the social order. Although there are few other dragons large enough to pose a threat to Royal Crimsons, they have little tolerance for potential rivals and will fiercely defend their territory from such intruders.

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.

Masque of the Crimson Death has been in quarantine since he hatched many years ago. Upon his arrival in the cave from a faraway land, many dragons became deathly ill with a strange, foreign disease. Finally, the White healers found the source of the suffering to be this unfortunate dragon. The disease does not ravage him because of the immunity he inherited from his parents, but no other dragons except White healers are allowed to see him. Thus, Masque of the Crimson Death has chosen a White female to be his mate, though they shall never produce offspring together because of the circumstances.