In 2021, Stellaris received DLC in the form of the Aquatics Species Pack, which lets players choose aquatic life forms for their Empire, complete with new portraits, ships, cities, traits and origins. The first of these is called "Ocean Paradise," which starts players off with a size 30 ocean world, allowing for potential tall playthroughs. The second is known as "Here Be Dragons," which, as the name implies, starts your Empire off with an allied guardian creature in your home system.
Known fully as Hrozgar of the Endless Flames, the Sky Dragon will patrol nearby planets within your home system, and will be marked blue indicating it's an ally, though you can't control it. It has no shields, but it is equipped with very strong hull and armor, and its energy weapons can destroy most ships in just a few hits. Keep in mind also that just because this came with Aquatics, doesn't mean players have to choose aquatic-based lifeforms. Stellaris' "Here Be Dragons" origin is available to nearly every species and Empire type, aside from those that are genocidal in any way.
What to Know About Starting Stellaris' Here Be Dragons Origin
While the Dragon can't be commanded, it will defend the player's system and its fleet against any hostile space entities. This includes rival Empires and any Marauders that attempt to raid. If nothing else, this Origin is useful in ensuring that an Empire will survive from the early to mid-game.
However, while the Dragon provides great protection, it does have some needs from your Empire. Between six and 13 years after the start of the game, players will be notified that the Dragon wishes to feed by landing on your home world. If you refuse, it will kill two pops and create two blockers on the capital world. If you choose to simply observe, it'll kill one pop and proceed to feed. Choosing to allow it to land and feed will cost 75 influence points, but no pops will be lost.
While the Dragon feeds, it'll provide a boost to unity and stability for your planet, with an upkeep of 15 food per month. Be aware that feeding the Sky Dragon takes 14-16 years, during which it won't help defend the system unless the planet itself is being invaded. After it is done feeding, the Empire will be rewarded with a choice of research points or resources.
After researching at least two engineering and research technologies, players will be given the option of issuing one of two special projects. The Dragon can either be remotely scanned from a safe distance, or a science ship can attempt to gather samples directly from its armor. There's a 30 percent chance that the Dragon destroys the ship and kills your scientist, a 55 percent chance of failing but being given the option of trying again for hopefully a different outcome, and a 15 percent chance of succeeding and unlocking the next armor tier technology. The chance of success will increase if you spent the 75 influence beforehand and allowed the Dragon to feed peacefully.
The Final Steps in the Here Be Dragons' Origin
After either special project is completed and your Empire has established communications with at least 70 percent of the galaxy, first contact can be established with the Dragon. Managing to establish communications with the Dragon rewards 150 influence and some unity. Plus, it finally provides the option of controlling the Dragon directly. As its only request, the Dragon will ask that you help hatch and take care of its children. Refusing provides a hefty 500 influence, but results in the Dragon disappearing from the galaxy forever.
If the offer is accepted, the Dragon will be added to your fleet, unlocking the unique Dragon Hatchery starbase building. Building the Hatchery costs 750 alloys and can take up to three years to complete. Actually assembling each dragon spawn will cost 500 exotic gases, 500 rare crystals and 100 living metals. Living metal will be the most difficult of these strategic resources to gather, as its exceedingly rare to uncover while exploring the galaxy. Fortunately, choosing this origin will also spawn living metal deposits in systems two hyperlanes away from your starting system.
Up to 10 Fledgling Dragons can be assembled at a time, and while not as well armored as their parent, they have just as much damaging firepower. All of them together with their parent in a combined dragon fleet makes for an awe-inspiring and near unstoppable force that allows for easy domination of rival Empires, even near the end-game.
Not everyone will want Stellaris' "Here Be Dragons" origin, however; some might want to kill the Dragon as another vanquished Guardian under their belt. Since the Sky Dragon only uses energy weapons and has no shields, ships equipped with shields and energy weapons are the ideal counter. If an Empire does manage to defeat the Dragon, they'll be rewarded with the Artificial Dragonscales research option, and the Admiral that commanded the attacking fleet will be given the unique Dragonslayer trait.