Paper Dragons are not truly living creatures. They are pieces of parchment enchanted by magic, and as such, are very vulnerable to fire. However, they behave almost like dragons. The only place where their behavior differs is breeding: paper dragons cannot breed.

Jharmal is a guide to the cave, introducing new hatchlings to the adults and other hatchlings, allowing them to be welcomed and accepted. He is a greeter and does not mind his duty, as he feels this is as close to being a parent as he can be. He has no mate, as his magical body would never handle mating and he does not wish to deprive a dragon of a family. So he continues in his work, forever greeting new hatchlings, while never having a family of his own. He has his adoptive family and that makes him content.