Balloon Dragons are so named because they are filled with a gas that makes them almost lighter than air, similar to balloons. However, they are not prone to bursting, as they are covered in tough skin and can deflate themselves if necessary. In addition, they generally are slow moving. They use their gas bladders to float to the tops of trees, where food is more abundant. They can shift their weight from their backs to their fronts, allowing them to reach leaves and fruit.

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.

Bumpus is about as far from the typical sleek, streamlined "dragon-shape" as one can get. This comes not only from her ability to inflate herself and bob about to get at succulent young leaves on the trees, but also from her total lack of interest in doing ANYTHING but grazing.

When Adventi sings out her early morning song to announce the sun's appearance, Bumpus begins her quest for food—and she does not stop until Pandimus heralds the approach of evening. Then comes a good night's sleep, and the next day's nibbling adventures.

She is proud of her own corpulence, and wastes no time fretting over her figure—after all, a plump, well-fed dragon is a sign of a healthy cave that is rich in food. She considers herself a living sign of how well her pack is situated, and the males seem to agree. Her sweet, lovable personality makes her a favored mate among them.