Guardian Dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian Dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

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.

Illyana was among the first to inhabit the cave that the 'an Ishtoya' clan call home. She is nearly always guarding, as her breed implies, the hatchlings or eggs within the cave. She tends to claim all young ones as though they are from one of her broods, however this is rarely the case, and although the other elder dragons enjoy the break from parenting, it can become a nuisance when they are blocked from seeing their own offspring. Illyana has recently lost her mate to the wild dragon's cave, and has found solace within Baeka-Dawe's claws.