Greater Spotted Drakes are found in open pine and oak forests. They are among the larger end of the spectrum, but are quite laid back and feed mostly on plant material. They are ambush predators and rely on their dappled markings for camouflage. Females are usually larger than males, though males are brighter in color. In the breeding season the male attracts a mate by making loud, low-pitched bugles, followed by an aerial courtship dance as proof of his quality as a father to her offspring.

Though it may appear at first that dragons and drakes have much in common, the two are completely separate species. Drakes are smaller and less intelligent than their cousin species, though both dragons and drakes sit comfortably near the top of the food chain. They are always found bearing antlers and leathery wings. Drakes share many of the same habitats that dragons do, and typically hunt in packs.

Valizel is unlike most other Altean Greater Spotted Drakes. While they are used as work drakes for typically mundane tasks that result in poor health and subsequently early death, she lives a pampered life, serving as a steed to Marlana, a flightless Pygmy who is a part of the Altean army. Valizel can follow her owner's telepathic commands and provides her with assisted flight.

As her owner is a warrior, so is Valizel. The drake is decked out with elaborate, custom-made barding—on the head, an elegantly crafted chanfron with a sharp blade at the tip, a crinet of metal lames and chainmail over the neck, a peytral fashioned after two feathered wings protecting the chest, a pair of reins lined with iron spikes and a carefully designed saddle for her rider to perch upon. While Marlana targets tiny weaknesses with her rapier, Valizel simply tramples the opponent and the pair, despite unassuming enough at first glance, they're a scary sight in the heat of battle.