Dawnguard Quests and Vampirism: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re a creature of the night, drawn to the allure of fangs and shadows, but the call of the Dawnguard, those stalwart vampire hunters, also resonates within you? The question on your mind is likely: Can you do Dawnguard quests after becoming a vampire? The short answer is a nuanced yes, but with significant limitations. You can join the Dawnguard, but only to a certain point. The game will require you to cure your vampirism before you can proceed further into the questline. The “point of no return” arrives after you are given the choice to be turned into a Vampire Lord. Refusing this invitation keeps the Dawnguard’s doors open, accepting it locks you into the vampire path. If you’re already a vampire when you approach the Dawnguard, they will immediately instruct you to seek a cure before offering any quests.
The interaction between vampirism and the Dawnguard questline in Skyrim is a fascinating example of the game’s flexibility, but also its limitations. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this relationship, exploring the consequences of your choices and the potential paths you can take.
Joining the Dawnguard: A Vampire’s Predicament
As mentioned above, you can initially join the Dawnguard as a vampire. This means you can travel to Fort Dawnguard, speak with Isran, and even complete the initial quests. However, this honeymoon phase is short-lived. Once your vampiric nature becomes apparent (or if you’re already a known vampire), Isran will make it abundantly clear that your services are no longer welcome until you cleanse yourself of the affliction. He’ll likely direct you towards Falion in Morthal, the resident expert in all things vampiric.
The crucial element here is understanding the stages of vampirism. If you’re a newly turned vampire, you might be able to sneak in and complete a few quests before your true nature is revealed. However, as you progress through the stages, your appearance will change, and NPCs will react negatively to you, making it impossible to conceal your condition from Isran.
Therefore, if your heart is set on completing the Dawnguard questline, the best strategy is to cure your vampirism before committing fully to the Dawnguard. This ensures a smoother experience and avoids the frustration of being sidelined mid-quest.
Curing Vampirism: The Path to Redemption
Curing vampirism in Skyrim is a relatively straightforward process. As Isran will undoubtedly point out, Falion of Morthal holds the key. She requires a filled Black Soul Gem, which you can obtain by trapping the soul of a human or humanoid creature. Falion will then perform a ritual that purges the vampiric curse from your body, restoring your mortal form.
It’s important to note that you can cure your vampirism multiple times. This means you can explore the vampire side of the Dawnguard DLC, become a Vampire Lord, and then later choose to be cured and rejoin the Dawnguard. This flexibility allows you to experience both sides of the conflict without permanently locking yourself out of either questline.
Post-Harkon: The Dawnguard’s Offer
What happens after you’ve defeated Harkon, regardless of which side you choose? Completing Kindred Judgement unlocks new possibilities. If you sided with the vampires, Isran will approach you, and if you are cured of your vampirism, he’ll offer you full membership within the Dawnguard. Conversely, if you chose to side with the Dawnguard in the final act of Kindred Judgement, you’ll be approached by Garan Merethi. You’ll be granted full membership into the vampire clan Volkihar. Regardless of how the situation plays out, either outcome of the questline lets you decide if you would like to pursue vampirism once more.
Serana’s Role: A Constant Companion
Regardless of your chosen allegiance, Serana remains a key figure throughout the Dawnguard questline. Whether you side with the vampires or the Dawnguard, you’ll work closely with her to uncover the secrets of the Elder Scrolls and confront Harkon.
Importantly, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord after completing the Dawnguard questline, even if you sided with the Dawnguard. This provides an opportunity to experience the power of the Vampire Lord without jeopardizing your standing with the Dawnguard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of playing the Dawnguard questline as a vampire:
Can I join the Dawnguard as a Werewolf?
Yes, you can absolutely side with the Dawnguard as a Werewolf. The Dawnguard’s animosity is specifically directed towards vampires, not werewolves. In fact, the raw power of the Werewolf form can be quite advantageous in combat situations throughout the questline.
Is it better to be a vampire or partially soul trapped?
This depends on your personal preference. Becoming partially soul trapped has minimal impact and the effect is removable, while becoming a vampire can impact gameplay mechanics. If you’re looking to play as a vampire, it’s worthwhile. Otherwise, stick with becoming partially soul trapped.
Can you marry Serana after killing Harkon?
Unfortunately, Skyrim doesn’t allow you to marry any vampires through regular in-game actions. To marry Serana (or any other vampire), you’ll need to rely on player-created modifications (mods) to the game.
Can you cure Serana after killing Harkon?
Yes, it’s possible to cure Serana of her vampirism after finishing the Dawnguard DLC. You can bring Serana to Falion in Morthal, who will perform the necessary ritual to restore her mortality. Note that this is entirely optional, and Serana herself might not be enthusiastic about the idea.
Can you marry Harkon?
While the idea of marrying Harkon might be appealing to some players, it’s not possible within the standard game. Harkon is already married to Valerica, and Skyrim lacks the option for polygamous relationships or divorce.
Can you get Auriel’s Bow as a Dawnguard?
Yes, you can obtain Auriel’s Bow regardless of which side you choose. The process for acquiring the bow is identical for both the Dawnguard and the Volkihar Clan.
Does Serana want to be cured?
Serana’s feelings about being cured are complex. When directly asked if she’s ever considered it, she expresses that she does not wish to be cured. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to cure her rests with you.
Should I join the Dawnguard or Harkon?
The best choice depends on your desired playstyle. The decision to join the Dawnguard or Harkon is a matter of personal preference. The Dawnguard offers crossbows, magic bolts, and the satisfaction of hunting vampires, while the Volkihar Clan provides access to the Vampire Lord transformation and a different perspective on the conflict. Either way, it doesn’t matter who you side with, Serena will offer to turn you into a vampire lord after the quest line.
Can you become Werebear Skyrim?
Without mods, you cannot become a Werebear in Skyrim. The vanilla game only offers the option to become a werewolf. However, numerous mods are available that introduce the Werebear transformation to the game.
Can you be a hybrid in Skyrim?
Yes, but it is tricky. You can become a vampire lord and a werewolf in Skyrim using a glitch.
Can AELA be turned into a vampire?
No, Aela the Huntress cannot be turned into a vampire without the use of mods.
Can you marry Serana if she is cured?
Technically, you can’t marry Serana without mods regardless. However, if you use a mod to do so, whether she is a vampire or cured doesn’t effect your ability to use the mod.
Does Serana want you to be a vampire?
She doesn’t outright say it, but she does offer to turn you into a vampire after finishing the quest line, so it’s up to you to decide whether or not you should do it.
What to do with Serana after killing Harkon?
After the final confrontation with Harkon, you can discuss her vampirism with Serana. If you are not a vampire yourself, you can suggest that she seek a cure from Falion. Whether or not she chooses to do so is ultimately up to her.
Can I turn Lydia into a vampire?
To turn Lydia (or any other follower) into a vampire, you must first marry them. Once married, you can use vampire abilities (granted after siding with Volkihar) to turn your spouse into a vampire.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to embrace vampirism or align with the Dawnguard is a matter of personal preference. Skyrim provides the freedom to explore both paths, albeit with certain restrictions. By understanding the implications of your choices and the mechanics of the game, you can craft a unique and compelling narrative for your Dragonborn. You can learn more about the narrative choices in gaming at the Games Learning Society located at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Good luck, Dragonborn, and may your journey be filled with adventure, regardless of whether you walk in the sun or embrace the night.