They are able to shapeshift into almost any form. Often when encountered the dragons will be in some other form other than dragon. Gold dragons are able to either breath fire or a cloud of chorine gas. Gold dragons tend to be more magical then other dragon breeds. They are able to use spells up to the 6th level and will often have regular spell book of their own.
Gold dragons are often willing to help good characters on an adventure.
They will sometimes even join a battle if the characters are fighting against some great evil. They are noble and wise and often like traveling the world of men in another form.