Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide Dawnguard Quests
The Dawnguard
The Dawnguard Sanctuary: Fort Dawnguard
Tucked away in the southeastern mountains of the Rift, in the hidden valley called Dayspring Canyon, towers the old fortification of Fort Dawnguard. Long fallen to disrepair, this massive fortress will become home to a new faction of vampire hunters born from the ashes of the Vigilants of Stendarr. It is here where the agents of the Dawnguard (led by Isran) have begun to gather, where new recruits dedicate themselves to the eradication of vampires, and where a solution to the growing menace must be found. But where is the line between pragmatism and fanaticism?
The grounds of the fort change slightly over the course of the Dawnguard quests (as detailed below), but the main fortification consists of two giant buttress towers connected to the main structure via an open walkway. The fort’s main entrance is at the end of a curved path past an outside training area, which is used as a refugee camp as the vampires decimate the Vigilants of Stendarr and begin to attack the peaceful citizens of Skyrim.
Inside Fort Dawnguard, past the unfurled banners and large arched doorway, is an impressive circular hall with an upper balcony level. To the right (east) are two spiral staircases; one leads to the outside buttress tower walkway, and the other leads to the curved upstairs balcony. The northeast part of the fort has a third spiral staircase leading out to the second buttress tower walkway, and there’s a natural cave where crossbow firing is practiced, and the Dawnguard’s special breed of husky war dogs are raised. There is also an entrance to Dead Drop Falls (a small dungeon accessible only from the fort).
Back in the circular entrance hall, head north to reach the temporary barracks (around a large fireplace) and to access both “wings” of the castle. To the left (west) of the circular entrance hall are some storage and waiting rooms between the giant stone columns, and a spiral staircase leads up to the top of the fort—the upper crenellations. Staying on the ground floor, head northwest to the banquet hall where a considerable feast (and several mead barrels) keeps the Dawnguard in fighting shape. At the castle’s west end is Gunmar’s Forge, and a pen where his Armored Trolls are trained. Sorine Jurard and Florentius Baenius also perfect their talents in this area, close to a small target range.
Above the circular entrance hall is the balcony, which you access via spiral steps. Off the balcony are two corridors. One leads to a trophy and torture room and Isran’s sleeping quarters. The other is a more lavish bedroom, saved for an adventurer who can truly lead the Dawnguard to victory.
The Dawnguard: Important Characters
Dawnguard Leader: Isran
Formerly a member of the Vigilants of Stendarr, Isran struck out on his own when he realized the Order was too soft and didn’t really have what it took to defend against the evil in the world. He knew they’d be overrun one day, and he wasn’t going to wait around for it to happen. He’s very driven. While he won’t discuss it with anyone, he lost his family to vampires years ago, and it’s warped him. He now hates vampires far more than he cares about saving people and would willingly sacrifice just about anyone if it gave him a clear shot. In his mind, the ends justify the means every time.
- Trainer
Dawnguard Recruit: Agmaer
Agmaer has no personal stake in this conflict but wants to do the right thing. He’s heard of vampires terrorizing Skyrim and wants to help. That means leaving his family farm and enlisting with the folks serving Isran, who Agmaer initially looks up to. As time goes on, though, his eagerness, honesty, and loyalty wobble, and he starts to question Isran’s methods and whether the right thing is really being done.
- Follower
Dawnguard Recruit: Beleval
- Follower
Dawnguard Warrior: Celann
- Follower
Dawnguard Hunter: Durak
- Follower
Dawnguard Mage: Florentius Baenius
Florentius used to be a priest of Arkay, the god of life and death, and seeing the repeated effects of vampire attacks (and fending off those he thought were dead friends) has driven him a little bit mad. He claims to speak directly to Arkay and says Arkay speaks back. He’s made it a goal to destroy the vampire menace in Tamriel and believes that, with Arkay helping him, he’s destined to succeed. Some think he’s just playing at being mad so he can keep others at a distance, but if so, he’s very good at maintaining the illusion.
- Trainer
- Vendor
Dawnguard Blacksmith: Gunmar
Gunmar lost most of his clan to vampires as a young man. While it was a similar experience to what Isran went through, his reaction was very different. He turned inward, speaking very little and acting only when necessary—but those actions were always clear, the goal being to spare others the same fate he suffered. His goal is the same as Isran’s, and he will sign on to help the hunters, but he doesn’t agree with the methods. Currently, he has little contact with Isran, preferring his own company and saving locals from troublesome encroaching animals.
- Trainer
- Vendor
Dawnguard Warrior: Ingjard
- Follower
Dawnguard Tinker: Sorine Jurard
A genius with gadgets, Sorine has been working on some new weaponry to defend herself. While she doesn’t have the perspective deduction and knack for seeing the big picture that Isran does, she can relate to him. She has a peculiar quirk for assuming the worst-case scenario is bound to happen and so prepares for anything and everything. While never a member of the Vigilants, she’s crossed paths with Isran in the past and appreciated his tenacity and survival instincts. She would have gladly worked with him again if necessary had they not parted on such unpleasant terms.
- Trainer
- Vendor
Other Dawnguard Personnel
Dawnguard Advantages
Those choosing to side with the Dawnguard throughout the Dawnguard Main Quests can look forward to some changes in the construction of the fort and other benefits.
Fort Dawnguard Upgrades
Initially, the fort is filled with cobwebs and clutter, but it does have a few amenities, including a smelter and workbench.
After Dawnguard Main Quest: A New Order, Gunmar and Sorine settle in and set up full smithing and enchanting stations. You can now accept their Faction Quests, purchase items from them, and acquire the Armored Troll and Dawnguard Husky animal companions. The barracks area fills out to house the Dawnguard’s new recruits.
During Dawnguard Main Quest: Prophet, a number of Dawnguard Agents return to the fort. You can now ask the members of the Dawnguard to join you on your missions.
Once you complete Dawnguard Faction Quest: Bolstering the Ranks, Florentius moves in, adding an Alchemy station.
During Dawnguard Main Quest: Beyond Death, a refugee camp is set up outside the fort.
After Dawnguard Main Quest: Kindred Judgment, you receive a private room on the fort’s upper level.
Dawnguard-Only Benefits
If you side with the Dawnguard, you gain access to the following:
Dawnguard Weapons
Crossbows: The Dawnguard specialize in crossbows (such as the Steel Crossbow, as shown), which fire quickly and hit hard but take longer to reload than bows. While you can obtain basic crossbows by killing members of the Dawnguard (or requesting one from Durak the first time you visit the fort), you can only get enhanced versions of these weapons by siding with them and completing Dawnguard Faction Quest: Ancient Technology.
Dawnguard Weapons: Dawnguard weapons (such as the one shown) inflict extra damage to vampires in addition to any enchantments they may have. Again, you can acquire the basic versions of these weapons by killing members of the Dawnguard, but you can only obtain the unique Dawnguard rune weapons by siding with them and completing Dawnguard Faction Quest: Lost Relics.
Dawnguard Armor
Dawnguard Light and Heavy Armor: The Dawnguard have complete sets of both light and heavy armor (Heavy Armor shown here). Wearing a full set of Dawnguard armor provides additional protection from vampire melee attacks and Drain Life spells.
Dawnguard Spells
The Dawnguard’s magic harnesses the power of the sun to damage the undead. These spells can be purchased from Florentius and Sorine once they have been recruited to your cause:
- Sunfire: A ball of sunlight that inflicts 25 damage to undead.
- Stendarr’s Aura: For 60 seconds, nearby undead take 10 points of sun damage per second.
- Vampire’s Bane: A sunlight explosion that does 40 damage to undead in a 15-foot radius.
Dawnguard Animal Companions
Dawnguard Huskies: These are trained war dogs. With almost twice the health, stamina, and attack power of regular dogs, they are dependable companions.
Armored Trolls: These can be purchased from Gunmar for 500 gold each. While expensive, they make powerful allies, capable of causing and enduring enormous amounts of damage.
Dawnguard Followers
After completing Dawnguard Main Quest: Prophet, you can ask many of the Dawnguard recruits to join you on your missions. Equipped with full suits of Dawnguard armor, they are effective vampire hunters.