Can I Keep Serana If I Join Dawnguard? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! If you side with the Dawnguard in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim‘s Dawnguard DLC, Serana will remain a crucial part of your journey and a valuable follower. She’ll actually seek you out at Fort Dawnguard, initiating a pivotal quest that shapes the rest of the expansion.
Serana and the Dawnguard: A Deep Dive
Serana’s story is inextricably linked to the Dawnguard questline, regardless of which side you choose. However, siding with the Dawnguard doesn’t mean losing her. Instead, it strengthens your bond and opens up unique interactions and dialogue options throughout the campaign. You’ll embark on adventures together, delving into ancient crypts, confronting formidable enemies, and ultimately facing off against her own father, Lord Harkon.
Her Role Remains Central
Even though you’re aligned with the vampire hunters, Serana’s knowledge of the Elder Scrolls and her connection to the prophecy are vital to the Dawnguard’s success. She becomes an indispensable asset in your quest to stop Harkon’s plan to blot out the sun. Her unique perspective as a vampire also allows her to offer insights that members of the Dawnguard might miss, bridging the gap between two opposing factions.
Location, Location, Location
If you choose the Dawnguard, you can typically find Serana at Fort Dawnguard, after you meet her in Dimhollow Crypt. Following the completion of the “Beyond Death” quest, she can also be found within Valerica’s study in the Soul Cairn. Upon concluding the entire Dawnguard campaign, she may roam throughout Skyrim as she seeks adventure.
Post-Questline Possibilities
After defeating Harkon, Serana remains a permanent follower. This means she will continue to accompany you on your adventures throughout Skyrim, providing her expertise in combat, her unique dialogue, and even the option to turn you into a Vampire Lord should you desire. She also has a storyline where, with your support, she can choose to seek a cure for her vampirism. So, choosing the Dawnguard side doesn’t mean you have to sever your ties with Serana. Instead, it solidifies your relationship and ensures she remains a powerful ally at your side. As an interesting side note, you may want to check out resources from the Games Learning Society as you think about character relationships in video games. You can check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Serana and the Dawnguard
Here are some commonly asked questions to further clarify your relationship with Serana and what you can expect when joining the Dawnguard:
1. Can I marry Serana if I side with the Dawnguard?
Unfortunately, no. Regardless of which faction you join, Serana cannot be married in the base game of Skyrim. This is a design choice by Bethesda, and the only way to marry her is through the use of mods.
2. Will Serana hate me if I join the Dawnguard?
Absolutely not! Serana does not harbor any ill will towards you for joining the Dawnguard. She is primarily loyal to the Dragonborn and supports your decisions, regardless of the faction you choose to align with. Her personal quest is separate from factional loyalties.
3. Can Serana turn me into a vampire if I side with the Dawnguard?
Yes! Even if you side with the Dawnguard, Serana retains the ability to turn you into a Vampire Lord. You simply need to ask her, and she will offer you the blood gift.
4. Does Serana prefer the Dawnguard or the vampires?
Serana does not have a specific preference. She is primarily concerned with stopping her father, Harkon, and preventing his plan to blot out the sun. She sides with the Dragonborn in this matter.
5. What happens to Serana if I choose the Dawnguard?
If you side with the Dawnguard, you will find Serana at Fort Dawnguard. She will continue to accompany you on quests and provide her expertise. After the questline, she will remain as a follower who can be found throughout Skyrim, in Valerica’s study, or at Fort Dawnguard.
6. Can I cure Serana of her vampirism after siding with the Dawnguard?
Yes, it is possible to encourage Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism after you have completed the main Dawnguard questline. This involves several conversations and a specific quest.
7. Can I join both the Dawnguard and the vampires?
Not simultaneously. The Dawnguard questline forces you to choose a side. You can initially start both questlines but will eventually have to pick either the Dawnguard or the Volkihar vampires.
8. What are the benefits of siding with the Dawnguard over the vampires?
Siding with the Dawnguard grants you access to Fort Dawnguard as a home base, allows you to hire armored trolls, and provides weapons, armor, and spells that are specifically effective against vampires.
9. Can I still get Harkon’s sword if I side with the Dawnguard?
Yes! You will still be able to obtain Harkon’s sword regardless of which side you choose. The final portions of the questline, including the Forgotten Vale and the final battle with Harkon, are the same.
10. Can I marry anyone from the Dawnguard?
No. As with Serana, none of the members of the Dawnguard can be married in the base game. You will need to use mods to enable this functionality.
11. What happens if I am already a vampire when I meet the Dawnguard?
If you are a vampire, Isran will initially be wary of you. He will require you to cure your vampirism before he fully accepts you into the Dawnguard. You can then ask Serana to turn you into a Vampire Lord, if you choose to.
12. Can I ask Serana to turn my spouse into a vampire?
Yes, you can. After becoming a vampire, Serana can also turn your spouse into a vampire. This feature is a part of the Dawnguard DLC.
13. Is Serana a permanent companion if I choose the Dawnguard?
Yes! After completing the Dawnguard questline, Serana becomes a permanent companion. This means she will always be available to accompany you on your adventures.
14. Is it better to accept Harkon’s gift or refuse it?
The decision to accept Harkon’s gift depends on whether you want to become a Vampire Lord. Accepting the gift immediately transforms you into a Vampire Lord, while refusing it forces you to side with the Dawnguard.
15. Can I become a werewolf and a Vampire Lord at the same time by using a glitch with Serana?
There used to be a glitch where you could become both a Werewolf and a Vampire Lord simultaneously, involving activating the Vampire Lord transformation while drinking werewolf blood and then asking Serana to turn you. However, this glitch may have been patched in later versions of the game. Test at your own risk!