Ochredrakes are a curious species with a wide array of mutations and interesting behaviors. Not as intelligent as normal dragons, they only breed with other drake species. While they may not be bright, ochredrakes are flamboyant and fun-loving with amazing, chirping voices to sing with, and tame readily in the presence of a gentle hand.

Though it may appear at first that dragons and drakes have much in common, the two are completely separate species. Drakes are smaller and less intelligent than their cousin species, though both dragons and drakes sit comfortably near the top of the food chain. They are always found bearing antlers and leathery wings. Drakes share many of the same habitats that dragons do, and typically hunt in packs.

Rutuja was named after her master's deceased cousin, who died after being bitten by a wild ochredrake and contracting some ailment. Or perhaps the sickness was just a coincidence that had nothing to do with the bite. Anyway, Rutuja doesn't understand the significance of her name, so it doesn't matter to her. Every morning, she sings her owners awake (whether they like it or not) and braves light breezes and early commuters to fetch the daily notice from the community bulletin (which her owners have to return because it does not belong to them). She looks so pleased and has this vacant, happy expression whenever she thinks she's helping. She isn't rewarded for doing anything her owners don't like, but she has not gotten the hint yet.