Is Serana Essential After Dawnguard? Unpacking Skyrim’s Most Complex Companion
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Yes, Serana remains an essential character in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim even after completing the Dawnguard questline. This means she cannot be killed by any means, ensuring she remains a persistent presence and potential companion throughout your adventures in Skyrim. Her essential status stems from her continued relevance to the game world, providing unique dialogue, quest opportunities, and gameplay enhancements regardless of your chosen faction or character build. Think of her as a permanent fixture, a piece of Skyrim’s fabric woven in too tightly to unravel.
Serana: More Than Just a Companion
Serana’s significance transcends her role as a simple follower. Her deep connection to the lore, her unique vampiric abilities, and her personal quest for self-discovery make her an invaluable asset, adding depth and intrigue to the overall Skyrim experience. Whether you choose to align with the Dawnguard, embrace the path of a Vampire Lord with the Volkihar clan, or even remain neutral, Serana’s presence is a constant, shaping the narrative and influencing your interactions within the game world.
Exploring Serana’s Post-Dawnguard Role
After the final confrontation with Harkon, Serana’s role shifts slightly, becoming more nuanced and dependent on the choices you made during the Dawnguard DLC. If you sided with the Dawnguard, she’ll typically be found wandering around Fort Dawnguard, offering her expertise and companionship. Conversely, if you joined the Volkihar vampires, she’ll reside within the Castle Volkihar, often found in her mother’s study. Regardless of location, she remains an invaluable source of information, a powerful ally, and a character deeply affected by the events of the storyline.
Convincing Serana to Seek a Cure
One of the most impactful decisions players can make after completing the Dawnguard questline is persuading Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism. This choice depends on the conversations you had with her throughout the quest, and it can lead to significant changes in her disposition and future interactions. Curing her vampirism is a lengthy process, but the rewards are significant, solidifying your bond with Serana and offering a unique conclusion to her character arc.
Navigating Serana’s Essential Status: Implications and Considerations
Serana’s essential status has several implications for gameplay. It prevents accidental deaths, ensures she remains available for quests and dialogue, and provides a consistent presence in the game world. However, it also means she cannot be permanently removed from your game, which some players may find restrictive. Despite these limitations, her essential status is crucial for maintaining her role within the storyline and allowing players to fully explore her character arc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Serana
1. What happens to Serana after Dawnguard?
After the Dawnguard questline, Serana will either wander around Fort Dawnguard if you sided with them, or Castle Volkihar if you sided with the vampires. She remains a potential follower and source of information.
2. Does Serana care if you join Dawnguard?
Yes, Serana will seek you out regardless of which side you choose because she is central to the story. Her dialogue will reflect your faction choice.
3. Can Serana make you a Vampire Lord if you side with the Dawnguard?
Yes, after completing the Dawnguard questline on the Dawnguard side, you can ask Serana to transform you into a Vampire Lord.
4. How do you cure Serana after killing Harkon?
If you side with the Dawnguard, you can convince Serana to cure her vampirism after completing the main questline and leaving Volkihar Cathedral. Convincing her depends on the conversations you have.
5. Can you marry Serana after curing her?
Without mods, it’s impossible to marry Serana, even after curing her. The game doesn’t allow marriage to vampires or previously vampiric characters without external modifications.
6. Can you go back to Castle Volkihar after killing Harkon?
Yes, after Harkon is dead, Castle Volkihar becomes your home if you’re a vampire. Garan Merethi will speak to you and offer you a place among the remaining vampires.
7. Is it better to side with Dawnguard or vampires?
The “better” choice depends on your playstyle. Siding with the Dawnguard is often seen as more beneficial due to their gear and access to quests, but the Volkihar offers unique vampiric abilities and lore.
8. Does Serana want you to be a vampire?
Serana doesn’t explicitly state whether she wants you to become a vampire, but she is capable of turning you into one. Her motivations are complex, and she likely prioritizes your survival above all else.
9. What happens to the Dawnguard if Serana turns you into a vampire?
If you become a vampire while allied with the Dawnguard, you’ll be kicked out until you cure yourself. They are vehemently anti-vampire.
10. What did Molag Bal do to Serana?
Serana and her mother Valerica willingly gave themselves to Molag Bal, not by force. This act transformed them into powerful vampires.
11. Can you finish Dawnguard as a vampire?
Yes, you must remain a Vampire Lord to progress through the Volkihar side of the Dawnguard questline. Curing yourself will prevent you from completing their quests.
12. Does Serana want to be cured?
Initially, Serana considers her vampirism a gift and states that she would never seek a cure. However, with persuasion and the right dialogue choices, you can influence her to reconsider.
13. What happens if you give Auriel’s Bow to Harkon?
Whether you give Auriel’s Bow to Harkon or refuse, he will attack you. It is not recommended to give him the bow, as it is useful in the battle.
14. Are the Dawnguard OK with werewolves?
Yes, the Dawnguard are OK with werewolves. As long as you’re not a vampire, they’re perfectly fine with you joining their ranks.
15. Can you romance Serana?
Skyrim doesn’t allow you to marry Serana without mods. The only way to marry her or any other vampire is through the use of a mod. The GamesLearningSociety.org doesn’t have any mods for that, but other sites do.
Conclusion: Serana’s Enduring Legacy in Skyrim
Serana’s essential status after Dawnguard underscores her enduring importance to the Skyrim experience. She is more than just a companion; she is a complex character with a rich backstory and a profound impact on the game’s narrative. Whether you embrace her as an ally, seek to cure her of her vampirism, or simply explore her unique dialogue and interactions, Serana remains a captivating and integral part of the Skyrim world. Understanding her role and navigating her storyline can significantly enhance your overall gameplay experience, offering new perspectives and deepening your connection to the world of Tamriel.
To delve deeper into the educational aspects of gaming and how games can be used for learning, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society.