Ember Dragons have a great affinity for hot environments. While they themselves are not hot to the touch, their tendency to lurk amongst smoldering ashes has caused many to believe they are fire-starters. Their dully glowing markings serve many purposes: acting as a means of identification between individuals, as an important part of mating displays, and as a way of showing aggression. The long, low build of the breed makes them ungainly in flight, and the thick fleshy membranes of their wings hinder them further. As such, it is rare to see an Ember Dragon take to the air. Ember Dragons are also not particularly sociable; females tend to be defensive, whereas males are more aggressive. Once they have settled with a particular group of dragons, Ember Dragons are incredibly loyal and will defend their pack by any means possible.

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.

Like many ember dragons, Hand has never been outgoing, and as a youth often spent days alone in the wilderness. It was there that he met Mab. She was the first dragon outside the Immortal clan he had ever encountered, and despite their very different temperaments, the two became fast friends. His calm common sense was a  useful counterpart to Mab's temper, and he acted as her advisor when she was Lady to her clan. The two gradually fell in love, and one day Mab kidnapped Hand, according to the marriage customs of her people. Hand was annoyed, but his clan was furious, and eventually Hand and Mab had to flee to a remote volcano for their own safety. The two settled down there and started a family, and they were very happy together, although Hand made Mab promise that if she ever wanted to kidnap him again, she would ask him first.