Swallowtail Dragons are graceful and quick flyers, much like their namesake bird. They are capable of precise aerial acrobatics, and can reach very high altitudes. Because of this, humans observing these dragons are often astonished at how large they are when confronted up close. A Swallowtail’s diet consists of insects and small mammals plentiful in temperate forests. These dragons are also made remarkable by their paper-thin wing membranes, which allow light to pass through, creating an astonishing effect on starry nights.

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.

Blackened Grief is a rather sad dragon who lives in a group of male and female Swallowtails. She got into the group with her small lineage, and didn't talk much to the other dragons. Many of the other Swallowtails noticed how she seemed so far away, but the few who tried to interact with her were turned down rather rudely. Blackened Grief would have been destined to a mate-less life and possibly thrown out of the group if it hadn't been for Common Dancer. The male was persistent with talking to her, always trying to lighten the female up with his bright dancing.

The dancing seemed to have an effect on Blackened Grief and she asked the male to teach her his moves. He accepted, and the female started to become a little more friendly towards others and used her free time dancing with her new mate.

Blackened Grief looks upon the dragons who have been rejected from the group with pity. She doesn't want to talk to them, but she sometimes accompanies Common Dancer when he goes to dance for them.