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.

Amaranthe was always special. From the day her egg was brought to the Weyr, she was special. She had a beautiful lineage and a lovely code, and everyone always said she'd turn out different. Sure enough, Amaranthe hatched like no other black in the Weyr had done; bigger, sleeker, darker. She spoke eloquently with a smooth, flowing voice and sat away from the other hatchlings, proud but not arrogant. She matured into a lovely, witty, elegant dragoness who quickly asserted her place as Weyr leader next to Ra'eo. She is the Matriarch and high protector of all eggs and hatchlings, only recruiting a select few dragonesses to help her tend to them. Amaranthe's word is law and is never questioned, she is respected and admired throughout the vast Weyr. Under her and Ra'eo's joint leadership the weyr has prospered immeasurably and there is no question Amaranthe has lived up to expectations.

She was always, without a shadow of a doubt, special.