Power of the Blood*

Lord of Blood

After your bite, you collapse and eventually awaken in a previously unexplored area of Castle Volkihar. This is Lord Harkon’s sanctum, where you must assume the mantle of the Vampire Lord: the true power of the ancient blood. After speaking with Harkon, he instructs you to transform into a Vampire Lord.

This is achieved by selecting Magic > Powers > Vampire Lord (consider adding it to your Favorites, along with Vampire’s Servant and Vampire’s Sight), and transforming. Moments later, your towering, sinewy gray form floats above the ground, and Harkon continues his instructions:

• In this form, you can drain life from your foes with your right hand (the red, glowing strike).
• In this form, you can wield the power of blood magic to raise the dead with your left hand (the blue, glowing conjuration).
• In this form, you can call upon the powers of the night to turn into a swarm of bats and reappear some distance away.

The attacks while in this fearsome form consume Magicka. Should you run out of Magicka, you must descend to the ground to fight in melee. Although your claws are sharp, your lack of access to blood magic makes this the weaker of the two stances. Harkon also informs you that over time, your powers will continue to grow. You’re asked to view the Vampire Lord perk tree. Gaze to the new heavens, and you learn that killing mortals with your bite attack or Drain Life ability will allow you to earn additional night powers and blood magic in the form of perks.

Although you have much to learn, if you master your powers, few will be able to stand against you. For the moment, though, Harkon says that you may visit the pens in the castle, where he keeps a selection of thralls should you need to feed to stave off the effects of the sun. One of these thralls is in the chamber with you. You can:

• Slay him with your Drain Life spell or Bite Power Attack to make progress toward your next perk.
• Return to your human form (Favorites > Revert Form) and interact with him to feed on him.

While you have the opportunity, practice turning into bats and swiftly moving about the chamber to get a feel for your new abilities.

Quest Conclusion

Harkon tells you he has a task for you to complete. You can repeat this tutorial if you wish, or tell him you’re ready to proceed. You should also check your Favorites Menu, select “Revert Form,” and change back to your mortal form before leaving this chamber.

Postquest Activities

As soon as you agree to complete the task, Harkon requests you meet with Garan Marethi and “tell him it is time.” Dawnguard Main Quest: The Bloodstone Chalice now commences.