It was previously believed that purple dragons were exclusively female, but this is not the case. Recent environmental shifts have revealed the existence of both genders of this breed. Female behavior is well known; they are primarily herbivores but will eat meat during mating season. On the other hand, very little is known about the behavior and habits of male purple dragons.

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.

As a hatchling, Usena spent most of her time with her "brother" and best friend, Teregon, a Spotted Greenwing hatchling that was raised by the human girl named Flight, just like Usena. As time wore on, Usena and Teregon soon become a couple and now live together near the Lake of Elgar where they still visit their other "siblings", as well as Flight. Unlike Teregon, Usena is extremely shy and is uncertain of herself when she is alone, which is the reason for why she was always with her mate as a hatchling. Usena hates violence of any sort and has a special place in her heart for all the younger dragons that Flight cares for, which she, along with the other older dragons, views as her younger siblings. Whenever Flight is away, Usena serves as the "mother" figure in her place and works alongside the Magi dragon, Avedyr of the Mountains of Elgar, and his apprentice, the White dragon named Leniman, in caring for the eggs.