Dragons are first seen in Chapter 3 of Dragon Age: The Silent Grove when King Alistair and his party are attacked in the Tellari Swamps by a dragon. The dragon halts and its mistress Yavana appears. In Chapter 4 Yavana reveals that the dragon did not attack Alistair because, as Yavana says, "She can smell the old blood in you, son of kings." Yavana leads the group to the Silent Grove, a haven for dragons from the ignorance and cruelty of mankind. She says that Flemeth saved King Maric Theirin's life years ago and that, as payment, "He was permitted to restore his kingdom and play ruler until his children were grown. But after, he was to come to me here." The nature of her bargain with Maric is not disclosed until later.

In Chapter 6, Yavana leads Alistair's party back to the Silent Grove, and allows Alistair alone to follow her down into the pit within her sanctum. Watched by a dragon, they enter a huge cavern bathed in a blue glow and full of crystalline eggs. Yavana explains that they are in the Hall of Sleepers: when dragons were almost extinguished the few that remained were called by the builders of the temple to rest in it until awakened by power. Yavana revived a few that didn't die in their sleep and they became the first dragons to roam Thedas in many ages. But the Great ones were beyond her reach until Maric arrived: the blood of King Calenhad Theirin in Maric called to the Queen of dragons and awakened her. She reveals that Aurelian Titus took Maric to gain the power of his blood. Yavana then asks Alistair to awaken the last of the Great ones, thus absolving Maric of his promise to Flemeth. She tempts him with the suggestion that once recovered Maric can reclaim the throne and Alistair will be free of the unwanted burden of kingship. Alistair rejects her offer, saying that his purpose is justice, and runs Yavana through with his sword. Before leaving Alistair challenges the watching dragon but it does not harm him due to the power in his blood. As he leaves the cavern the dragon examines Yavana's body.

It is unknown if the dragon within the Hall of Sleepers is the Great dragon awakened by Maric or another High Dragon.