Water Flight legends claim that the first pearls fell from sky to sea when the Tidelord and Windsinger strove with one another during the tumult and chaos of the First Age. Other legends claim that pearls are the Tidelord's prophecy bubbles, solidified for all time. These legends disagree as to why the Tidelord might have preserved his prophecies in such a way: were the prophecies too beautiful, like the pearls into which they were made? Or were they about evil, just like the speck of dirt in the heart of every pearl?

Pearl dragons share many affinities with their namesakes: although firmly of the sea, and frequently gifted in water oracles, they often also enjoy an affinity with the wind; for many pearl dragons, a role as a traveling oracle, or oracle's messenger, represents the height of their aspirations. Such a role also positions them to counter the hostility they experience from dragons skeptical of their true natures.