The Lingering Question: Where Does Serana Go After Curing Herself?
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Ah, Serana. The brooding, intelligent, and undeniably captivating vampire companion from Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC. She’s a fan favorite for a reason, and one question consistently plagues players after completing the Dawnguard questline: Where does Serana go after she cures herself? The answer, simply put, is that Serana returns to Fort Dawnguard (if you sided with the Dawnguard) or Volkihar Keep (if you sided with the vampires) after completing the questline, regardless of whether she cures herself or remains a vampire. Her location within these respective strongholds will vary, as described below.
However, it’s not quite that simple, is it? The intricacies of her behavior, your choices, and even the glitches that can sometimes occur within Skyrim mean a more nuanced understanding is required. Let’s delve into the specifics, shall we?
Unpacking Serana’s Post-Cure Routine
The key takeaway is that Serana doesn’t disappear forever once she decides to embrace mortality. Assuming you’ve finished the Dawnguard questline and she’s followed through with her desire to seek a cure (accomplished by speaking with Falion in Morthal), you can find her back at the location aligned with your chosen faction:
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Dawnguard Side: If you chose to join the Dawnguard, she’ll be found within Fort Dawnguard. Her exact location can vary. Usually, she will be found either in the main hall, studying scrolls related to vampires, or potentially in the courtyard. She resumes her research into combating vampires, demonstrating a continued commitment to aiding the Dawnguard even after relinquishing her own vampirism.
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Volkihar Side: If you sided with Lord Harkon and the Volkihar vampires, Serana will return to Volkihar Keep. Similar to Fort Dawnguard, her exact location will shift. Common spots include the main hall, her laboratory, or even outside on the docks. It’s a bittersweet return, as she grapples with the aftermath of her father’s defeat and her own conflicting emotions regarding her vampiric heritage.
Importantly, curing Serana doesn’t drastically alter her dialogue. While she expresses relief and a sense of newfound freedom, she remains largely the same character you’ve come to know. She can still act as a follower and offer her unique insights and perspectives. You may also find her referencing her newfound mortality.
The Follower Factor and Glitches
Keep in mind that Serana’s behavior can be influenced by your actions and the inevitable quirks of Skyrim’s engine. Sometimes, she might wander off or get stuck in a particular location. Here are a few things to consider:
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Follower Commands: Ensure you haven’t dismissed her as a follower and forgotten about it. If you have, simply return to the appropriate faction headquarters and re-recruit her.
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Glitches and Bugs: Skyrim is notorious for its glitches. If Serana is truly missing, try fast-traveling to different locations or waiting a few in-game days. This can sometimes reset her position and bring her back to where she should be. The Unofficial Skyrim Patch (https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19 or https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266 for Special Edition) is highly recommended, as it fixes many common bugs related to Serana and the Dawnguard questline.
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Mod Conflicts: If you’re using mods that alter follower behavior or the Dawnguard questline, these could be interfering with Serana’s AI. Try disabling these mods temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
Why Does She Return to Those Locations?
Serana’s return to either Fort Dawnguard or Volkihar Keep, even after being cured, speaks volumes about her character arc.
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Continuing Research: For the Dawnguard, her knowledge of vampires remains invaluable. She can provide unique insights into their weaknesses and strategies, making her an asset even without her vampiric powers.
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Lingering Ties and Grief: For Volkihar Keep, her return is more complex. She is still mourning her father’s death and the destruction of her family’s legacy. Returning allows her to confront her past and potentially find a path forward.
Regardless of the faction, Serana’s decision highlights her resilience and commitment to understanding and ultimately dealing with the vampire threat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Serana After Curing Her
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Serana after she undergoes the cure:
1. Can Serana become a vampire again after being cured?
No, once Serana cures herself of vampirism, it is permanent. There is no way to turn her back into a vampire through in-game mechanics.
2. Does curing Serana affect her dialogue?
Yes, it affects it slightly. She will express happiness at being cured and make new remarks that she didn’t make previously.
3. Does her combat ability change after being cured?
No, not significantly. While she loses her vampiric drain spell, she retains her ability to use spells, summon creatures, and wield weapons effectively. Her overall combat prowess remains largely unchanged. She’ll be affected by sunlight more, though.
4. Can I still marry Serana after she’s cured?
Unfortunately, no. Serana is not a marriage candidate in the vanilla version of Skyrim, regardless of her vampiric status or whether she’s cured. You’ll need to use mods if you’re interested in marrying her.
5. Will Serana still follow me after being cured?
Yes, absolutely. Curing Serana does not prevent her from being a follower. You can still recruit her and have her accompany you on your adventures.
6. Does curing Serana impact the Dawnguard questline in any way?
No, it does not significantly impact the Dawnguard questline. The main story remains the same, regardless of Serana’s choice.
7. Does Serana’s appearance change after being cured?
Yes, noticeably. Her skin tone becomes less pale, and her eyes lose their vibrant golden color, returning to a more natural human appearance. She looks healthier overall.
8. What happens if I tell Serana not to cure herself?
If you tell her not to cure herself, she will initially be upset but will ultimately abide by your decision. She will remain a vampire and continue to act as your follower.
9. Can I contract vampirism from Serana after she’s cured?
No, since she is no longer a vampire, she cannot infect you with vampirism.
10. Is it better to cure Serana or leave her as a vampire?
This is entirely a matter of personal preference. Curing her offers her a chance at a normal life, while keeping her as a vampire preserves her unique powers. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice.
11. Does curing Serana affect her essential status?
No, Serana remains an essential character, meaning she cannot be killed, even after being cured.
12. Where is Serana most often found in Fort Dawnguard or Volkihar Keep?
In Fort Dawnguard, she’s often found in the main hall, reading scrolls. In Volkihar Keep, she frequents her laboratory or the docks.
13. Can I reverse the cure if I regret my decision?
No, there is no way to reverse the cure in the standard game. Once she’s cured, she’s cured for good without the use of console commands or mods.
14. Are there any specific dialogue options that trigger Serana’s decision to seek a cure?
Yes, after completing the main Dawnguard questline, you need to discuss her vampirism with her. This opens up dialogue options that encourage her to seek a cure, if you so choose.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore surrounding Serana and the Dawnguard DLC?
Beyond the in-game dialogue and books, fan wikis like the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) (https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Skyrim) are excellent resources. You might also find interesting analysis and discussions within the community forums. Additionally, exploring educational resources such as the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org can help one to understand how narratives in games create memorable experiences and character development.
Conclusion
Serana’s journey, whether she embraces mortality or remains a creature of the night, is a testament to the depth of character development achievable within the world of Skyrim. Knowing where to find her after her choice is made allows players to continue their adventures with this captivating companion, further enriching their experience within the game. And that, my friends, is the real magic of Skyrim.