Sandwaste Dragons are sparsely distributed across very hot, sandy, dry deserts. They grow to large sizes, but very slowly, and they are well adapted to the harshness of the desert, being capable of surviving for long periods with very little water and food. They are constantly on the hunt for prey large enough to sate them, catching it mostly by ambush or, rarely, running it down. However, Sandwaste dragons are opportunistic and will not shun carrion, insects, and even plants when desperate. They are solitary and nomadic and build no lasting bonds with one another, though there is little animosity among Sandwaste dragons when they encounter each other.

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.

Though Sabaku spends most of her time wandering, she often finds that there are some places that she keeps returning to, whether by chance or necessity. Whether it's that one oasis to the western desert border or the northern dunes where she can usually catch a decent meal, Sabaku has visited them enough times to remember their locations, more or less. To help guide her in case of need, she's taken to scratching out symbols on nearby rock formations or spires of mana crystals that occur naturally out in the sands. It turns out, Sabaku wasn't the only one who made use of the proximity guide symbols. Human caravans crossing the desert would sometimes stop to read the symbols before consulting maps, and if they ever found Sabaku wandering around or napping nearby, they would send a runner to drop off a piece of dried meat near her. Sabaku is not sure how the humans figured out that she was the one who made the symbols, but she enjoys the occasional treat all the same.