The Fate of the Sea Emperor Leviathan in Subnautica
The Sea Emperor Leviathan in Subnautica plays a pivotal role in the game’s narrative. Ultimately, this ancient and colossal creature, once thought to be a harbinger of death for its species, becomes a beacon of hope. She is the key to curing the planet of the Kharaa Bacterium, a deadly disease that decimated her kind and much of the local ecosystem. After being discovered in captivity within the Primary Containment Facility, she collaborates with the player by providing vital Enzyme 42, which is crucial for the cure. Once her eggs are hatched with the player’s help, she guides her offspring through an ancient portal. This act ensures the dispersal of the cure throughout the planet as the juveniles move out into different areas. Though she never leaves the containment facility, her legacy is secured as she restores health to the planet and becomes a symbol of survival and renewal for the world of 4546B.
The Decline and Captivity
The Kharaa Bacterium’s Impact
The tale of the Sea Emperor Leviathan is steeped in tragedy. The introduction of the Kharaa Bacterium had catastrophic consequences, not only for the Sea Emperors but also for the entire food chain on planet 4546B. The bacterium decimated the Sea Emperors’ primary food source, leading to widespread starvation and death amongst their population. The once-numerous herds of Sea Emperors dwindled, with nearly all of them perishing. Only one surviving adult, the one encountered by the player, remained, held captive by the Precursors within their Primary Containment Facility. She was also safeguarding the last remaining unhatched eggs of her species.
The Precursor’s Actions
The Precursors, a technologically advanced race, recognized the unique properties of the Sea Emperor Leviathan. They discovered that this creature’s biology held the key to creating Enzyme 42, a potent substance that could neutralize the Kharaa Bacterium. By containing the last surviving Sea Emperor, the Precursors sought to produce enough of this enzyme to eradicate the plague. However, their research was never completed due to their own demise. The lone Sea Emperor remained trapped within the facility for untold years, until the player’s arrival.
The Sea Emperor’s Cooperation
The Hatching of Eggs
The player’s interaction with the Sea Emperor is far from adversarial. Instead, the ancient leviathan communicates telepathically, revealing her situation and the dire state of the planet. She tasks the player with finding and hatching her eggs. This endeavor requires the player to collect various resources and eventually assemble the necessary components for hatching. As the eggs begin to hatch, a pivotal moment in the game’s plot emerges.
The Role of Enzyme 42
Once the eggs have hatched, the young Sea Emperor Leviathans produce Enzyme 42. This enzyme is crucial for curing the player of the Kharaa Bacterium infection and is the key to stopping the spread of the disease throughout the planet. This event transforms the narrative and shifts the Sea Emperor from being a source of biological material to an ally in the planet’s healing. The Sea Emperor, though confined, becomes the pivotal character for salvation.
Releasing the Juveniles
With the aid of the player, the newly-hatched Sea Emperor juveniles are guided to an ancient portal within the facility. This portal transports them to various locations throughout the planet’s ecosystem. This dispersion is vital; because each juvenile continues to produce the Enzyme 42, they effectively create a planet-wide cure. This act marks the successful completion of the Sea Emperor’s mission and signifies the beginning of the planet’s recovery.
Legacy and Aftermath
The Cure and Departure
After the juveniles are dispersed and the player has used the cure themselves, they can proceed to disable the Quarantine Enforcement Platform that was initially preventing their escape. With the planet now free from the Kharaa Bacterium and the player cured, they can launch the escape rocket and leave the planet. Though the Sea Emperor remains in the facility, her sacrifice and assistance have enabled the player’s freedom and helped heal the planet.
A Symbol of Hope
The Sea Emperor Leviathan story arc is a powerful testament to the game’s themes of survival, resilience, and the interconnectedness of all life. Her actions ensure that the planet can once again thrive. This powerful figure becomes more than just a biological resource. She evolves into a symbol of hope, transformation, and the enduring strength of nature. The Sea Emperor, therefore, remains a significant figure in the narrative, even after the player’s departure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happened to the other Sea Emperor Leviathans?
Almost all of the Sea Emperor Leviathans died due to the Kharaa Bacterium, which killed their food source. This left only one adult, discovered in the Primary Containment Facility, and her eggs.
2. Is it possible to kill the Sea Emperor Leviathan?
No, the Sea Emperor Leviathan is impossible to attack and cannot be killed. This is due to her integral role in the game’s plot.
3. Where do the Sea Emperor babies go after hatching?
After being hatched, the baby Sea Emperors disperse to five different locations: the Northern Blood Kelp Zone, the Crag Field, the Dunes, the Grand Reef, and the Mountains.
4. Do the baby Sea Emperors grow up?
Yes, once they are out in the ocean, the juvenile Sea Emperors will grow very large quickly.
5. Is the Sea Dragon Leviathan stronger than the Sea Emperor?
The Sea Dragon Leviathan is among the most powerful creatures, second only to the Sea Emperor in terms of narrative importance but more aggressively hostile, while the Sea Emperor remains passive and focused on her young and the cure.
6. What should you do after meeting the Sea Emperor?
After meeting the Sea Emperor, the player must hatch her eggs, receive the Enzyme 42 cure, and then disable the Quarantine Enforcement Platform before launching the escape rocket.
7. What gender is the Sea Emperor in Subnautica?
Creatures on planet 4546B, including the Sea Emperor, do not have genders.
8. How rare is it to encounter a Sea Emperor?
The base chance of encountering a Sea Emperor in a random creature spawn is 0.2%, but the main Sea Emperor is a fixed story element.
9. Where can you find the Sea Emperor in Subnautica?
The main Sea Emperor is located inside the Primary Containment Facility within the Lava Lakes.
10. How many hostile Leviathans are there in Subnautica?
There are a total of 32 hostile Leviathans: 23 Reaper Leviathans, 6 Ghost Leviathans, and 3 Sea Dragon Leviathans.
11. Is the Sea Emperor Leviathan intelligent?
Yes, the Sea Emperor is believed to possess extreme intelligence, possibly greater than that of a human. She makes conscious decisions with an understanding of her situation and the planet’s disease.
12. Do Sea Dragons eat Reaper Leviathans?
Yes, Sea Dragons hunt Reaper Leviathans in shallower waters to supplement their food supply, which otherwise resides in the Inactive Lava Zone and Lava Lakes.
13. Which Leviathan killed the Degasi crew in the Deep Grand Reef?
A Reaper Leviathan was responsible for the destruction of the Deep Grand Reef Degasi base and the death of most of its crew.
14. Is the Reefback Leviathan a threat?
No, the Reefback Leviathan is a passive species that roams in groups and does not attack the player.
15. What is the Kharaa Bacterium and its relationship with Enzyme 42?
The Kharaa Bacterium is a disease-causing pathogen that decimated life on the planet. Enzyme 42, produced by the Sea Emperor and her children, is able to destroy the bacterium, serving as the cure.