Skyrim: Selecting a High-Profile Victim in Whiterun for “Deceiving the Herd”
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In the “Deceiving the Herd” quest within Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC, the Volkihar Vampire Clan tasks you with subtly recruiting new members. This involves infecting unsuspecting individuals with vampirism. When sent to Whiterun, choosing a “high-profile victim” can yield different consequences, affecting your reputation and the overall feel of your playthrough. However, the quest dialogue and script only specifies “Someone attached to the Jarl’s court, a merchant, a bard, a priest, someone with stature.” It’s essential to understand that some characters, despite seemingly fitting the profile, may not trigger the intended “high profile” result. Saving before making your choice is crucial to assess the outcome.
Understanding the “Deceiving the Herd” Quest
The “Deceiving the Herd” quest, initiated by Vingalmo within Castle Volkihar, sends you to a specific hold (in this case, Whiterun) to influence its populace. You have to infect either Haran, Valindor, or Cairine in either Windhelm, Riften, or Markarth. It’s a subtle operation, requiring either the Vampire’s Seduction power (obtained by not feeding for 24 hours) or simply biting your target while they sleep.
Potential High-Profile Targets in Whiterun
Several characters in Whiterun meet the criteria Vingalmo suggests:
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Someone Attached to the Jarl’s Court: This is a vague criterion, but the following individuals may fit the profile:
- Proventus Avenicci: The Jarl’s steward. He certainly has stature and is directly involved with the Jarl’s affairs.
- Irileth: The Jarl’s housecarl. She’s highly respected and a close protector of the Jarl.
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A Merchant:
- Belethor: Owner of Belethor’s General Goods. A central figure in Whiterun’s economy.
- Adrienne Avenicci: The blacksmith at Warmaiden’s. An influential artisan in the city.
- Olava the Feeble The local Fortune Teller
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A Bard:
- Mikael: The bard at The Bannered Mare. (Note: This character is often considered low profile in most community guides)
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A Priest:
- Danica Pure-Spring: The priestess of Kynareth at the Temple of Kynareth. A respected figure representing healing and nature.
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Someone with Stature: This is the broadest category, potentially including various influential NPCs within the city. All of the above could fit here.
The Importance of Saving and Testing
Skyrim’s quest mechanics aren’t always straightforward. Some characters who seem like obvious choices for “high profile” might not trigger the intended consequences. Always save your game before infecting your target. This allows you to reload and experiment with different victims if you’re aiming for a specific outcome or reaction. Community feedback suggests some characters provide unique dialogues or outcomes, while others treat the event as a standard infection.
Consequences and Reputation
Infecting a high-profile character can have far-reaching consequences. It might affect the disposition of other NPCs toward you, alter quest outcomes, or even impact the overall stability of Whiterun. While the exact effects are often subtle, they can contribute to a more immersive and reactive world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. At what level should I start the Dawnguard questline?
The Dawnguard questline officially begins when you reach level 10. This is when you’re most likely to encounter Durak, an Orc who will initiate the quest by asking about the vampire threat. However, you can start it earlier by going directly to Fort Dawnguard.
2. Where do I find Isran, the leader of the Dawnguard?
Isran is located at Fort Dawnguard, which is east of Riften. He’s the leader of the order and will assess your worthiness to join by giving you the “Awakening” quest.
3. How do I become a Vampire Lord in Skyrim?
The primary way to become a Vampire Lord is through the Bloodline quest, offered by Lord Harkon after arriving at Castle Volkihar. Alternatively, Serana can grant you the Vampire Lord form at several points during and after the Dawnguard questline, even if you side with the Dawnguard.
4. Can I still have Serana as a follower if I choose the Dawnguard?
Yes! Serana is a crucial character in the Dawnguard storyline, regardless of which side you choose. She will become your follower and remains a valuable companion throughout the DLC. She will come to Fort Dawnguard while you are away and tell you of the prophecy.
5. Can I cure Serana of her vampirism?
Yes, after completing the Dawnguard DLC, you can suggest that Serana seek a cure. She will agree, and you can take her to Falion in Morthal, who can perform the ritual to cure her.
6. What are the benefits of siding with the Dawnguard?
Siding with the Dawnguard grants access to Fort Dawnguard, a safe haven and base of operations. You’ll gain access to powerful anti-vampire weapons, such as the crossbow, and learn specialized tactics for fighting vampires. Many players find the Dawnguard to be a more morally trustworthy faction.
7. What are the benefits of siding with the Volkihar Vampire Clan?
Joining the Volkihar Clan allows you to freely embrace your vampiric powers. You gain access to Castle Volkihar, powerful vampire-themed quests, and the ability to transform into a Vampire Lord with devastating abilities.
8. What is Vampire Seduction, and how do I get it?
Vampire Seduction is a power granted to Vampire Lords. It allows you to calm and charm lower-level NPCs, making them easier to feed upon or influence. It is automatically granted after 24 hours without feeding. After 24 hours without feeding, Vampire Seduction will appear under the Powers section of the Magic menu.
9. Can I become a Vampire Lord without joining the Dawnguard?
Yes! You can become a Vampire Lord by accepting Lord Harkon’s gift during the Bloodline quest or by asking Serana to turn you at several points in the questline, even if you initially sided with the Dawnguard.
10. Is it possible to marry Serana?
Unfortunately, in the vanilla version of Skyrim, you cannot marry Serana. She is flagged as an essential NPC and doesn’t have the marriage dialogue options. However, mods are available that allow you to marry her.
11. Can a werewolf join the Dawnguard?
Yes, being a werewolf does not prevent you from joining the Dawnguard. The Dawnguard is primarily concerned with fighting vampires and will accept werewolves into their ranks.
12. Which is better: being a Vampire Lord or a Werewolf?
The “better” form depends on your playstyle. Vampire Lords excel at magical combat and stealth, while Werewolves are powerful melee fighters. Vampire Lords are generally considered stronger in the late game, especially with strategic perk allocation.
13. Does Serana approve of me becoming a Werewolf?
While Serana doesn’t explicitly express disapproval of your lycanthropy, she also doesn’t particularly endorse it. Her dialogue mainly focuses on the task at hand and her own struggles with her vampirism.
14. Can I turn my spouse into a vampire?
Yes, with the “Deceiving the Herd” quest, there’s a chance to turn your spouse into a vampire. However, the quest target is randomly assigned. To potentially get the quest with your spouse as a target, repeatedly complete side quests for Vingalmo until he tasks you with infecting your spouse.
15. Is the Dawnguard DLC worth playing?
Absolutely! The Dawnguard DLC adds a significant amount of content to Skyrim, including two distinct questlines, new locations, powerful weapons and abilities, and the compelling character of Serana. It offers a compelling narrative and expands the lore of Skyrim’s vampires. For further exploration of gaming and learning, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.