Royal Crimson Dragons are so named due to their massive size and confident, regal bearing. Most of the time they are laid back, ignoring non-prey creatures smaller than themselves, although they will occasionally take fresh kills from other dragons as a reminder of their place in the social order. Although there are few other dragons large enough to pose a threat to Royal Crimsons, they have little tolerance for potential rivals and will fiercely defend their territory from such intruders.

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.

Nitroglycerin is not a large specimen of his species, but his hide is especially vibrant, the colors popping in an almost unnatural way, as if he'd been dyed or magically enhanced. Energetic and even a little playful, at least more than usual for a dignified Royal Crimson, Nitro is constantly either exploring the lands surrounding the stony upthrust claimed by the Breedery, or climbing around on the Breedery itself. He likes to perch on its highest spires, gazing out at the surrounding territories, as if to pick out where he's visited and where he's yet to go. He is willing to jettison his dignity to scramble aggressively to snatch at a scrap of food, even if it's just an insect. Once all that vigor and activity has finally burned through his energy, Nitro tends to take long sleeps, disappearing for weeks or even months, before exploding out into the world again, fresh and ready to go-go-go once more.