Ancient mythology, largely. Mythology, fairy tales, or within the pages of fantasy fiction. They were never real, in my world.

[ But, as to what they were like... ]

Varying levels of intelligence and ability to communicate. I didn't read too much fantasy, but I think they tended to be very large, fly, breathe fire, accumulate and guard hordes of gold, and sometimes kidnap princesses.

[ which really makes this unavoidable, jest tinging his tone. ]

How do you feel about royalty?