A new area and quest-line are available to the player with the addition of the Dawnguard DLC.There is a war going on between the ancient vampire lords of Skyrim and an elite group of vampire hunters.Even though the DLC begins with a visit to the Dawnguard stronghold, you can side with one or the other.Become a member of Volkihar's group will not only give up your membership in the Dawnguard, but also your status as a human.
Step 1: Purchase the Dawnguard DLC.
You must be a member of the Dawnguard before you can join the vampire group.Dawnguard is a DLC that must either be purchased online or an extended edition of the game in order for the player to be able to access it.To follow the missions in the DLC, your character must be at least level 8.
Step 2: Talk to any guard in the game.
Guards can be found in all major holds.Simply approach one and hit the appropriate button to speak with them, and they will mention the Dawnguard.The leader's location will be shown on your map by a quest marker.
Step 3: Go to Fort Dawnguard.
You can travel to a location in the southwestern corner of the map by following the quest marker on the compass at the top of your screen.The Dayspring Cave is where you must first travel to find Fort Dawnguard.It is embedded in a mountain face and adorned with two torches to mark the entrance to the cave, which leads to a large pond with waterfalls flowing into it.Go up the dirt path if you keep to the right.Continue until you reach Fort Dawnguard.Follow a winding path up to the double doors of the fortress.
Step 4: Talk to the head of the Dawnguard.
Isran, head of the Dawnguard, will be talking to another member as soon as you enter the fort.To interact with him, hit the appropriate button.He explains that the Dawnguard is in need of more members.
Step 5: Agree to Isran's request.
Isran will talk about the vampire castle.He will give you a crossbow, a weapon only accessible through the DLC, and the next quest, "Awakening," if you agree to do this for him.
Step 6: Go to Dimhollow Crypt.
You will be directed to investigate Dimhollow Crypt after talking with Isran.If you open up your main menu and select Awakening as an active quest, you will be directed to Dimhollow Crypt.Dimhollow crypt can be found to the southwest of the Frostmere Crypt and north of The Lord Stone on your world map.If you have traveled to either of these two locations before, you can open the world map and select the location you want to travel to.
Step 7: The crypt is carved out of the mountainside.
There are two vampire and a death hound inside.They will attack when they notice you.The crossbow given to you by the Dawnguard is particularly effective against Vampires.
Step 8: Go inside the crypt.
The room across from where you encountered the vampire is the crypt.You have to pull a chain to open the gate at the other side of the room.A vampire is waiting to attack you in the newly opened part of the crypt.Go down the stairs on the right to defeat the vampire.The next staircase leads to a room with three gated doors.Pull chains can be used to open each of these.The last chain needs to be pulled to enter the next chamber.The crypt contains corpses of frostbite spiders, as well as two live Vampires that will attack on sight.The Dimhollow Cavern can be reached via a small wooden door.
Step 9: It's up to you to defeat Lokil.
When you enter Dimhollow Cavern, you will hear a vampire interrogating a dead person.After Adalvald is killed, another vampire will attack you.Fire spells or arrows can be used to defeat the thralls.It is a bit stronger than before.The universal vampire weakness of fire is still present, so use a fire-enchanted weapon or fireball spell to win in a matter of minutes.
Step 10: The pillar needs to be activated.
You should approach the pillar in the center of the chamber once you have defeated Lokil and his underlings.Hit the button when you are standing over it.A spike will come up and illuminate your hand with a bright purple light.
Step 11: The brazier puzzle can be solved.
Push the braziers in the correct direction so that they can see the end of the purple light.The purple light will extend to the next brazier if it is properly placed.To solve the puzzle, connect the braziers via the purple light.
Step 12: Speak to Serana.
The center of the structure will reveal a woman carrying an Elder Scroll once they are all connected.She wants you to take her to Castle Volkihar, her family home, because she introduces herself as a vampire.Serana will follow you out of the cave.
Step 13: You can exit the crypt.
You can exit the crypt by crossing a stone bridge on the opposite side of the room.You can enter a small chamber from the door on the right.There are many zombies in the amphitheater, so head through the gate.You can exit through the gated door at the opposite end of the room after defeating them.The quest will be completed once you leave.
Step 14: Look at the new quest.
It is time to travel to the home of the vampire lords once you and Serana have escaped the crypt.A new quest called "Bloodline" will be added to your menu after you have completed the "Awakening" quest.You can follow your compass with a white arrow if you make it your active quest.
Step 15: Go to the castle.
It is located in the northwestern part of the map.The best way to get there is by boat.Ask the ferryman to take you to the Icewater Jetty.The docks of Dawnstar, Solitude, and Windhelm have ferrymen on them.You can quickly travel to these locations via the world map because they are major points of interest.500 gold will be paid for the trip.Step onto the large boat and hit the prompt button to take you to the castle.
Step 16: Talk to Lord Harkon.
The cobblestone steps up the castle are after you step off the boat.The watchman will open the gates when he sees Serana.There will be a lot of commotion as Lord Harkon, head of the castle, returns with his daughter.Lord Harkon will thank you for bringing his daughter back.Lord Harkon will tell you that you have to stay with the Dawnguard or become a vampire.
Step 17: Become a vampire.
Lord Harkon will bite you if you become a vampire.Lord Harkon will teach you how to use your newfound powers in the Volkihar Cathedral.If you were a werewolf before, you will lose your lycanthrope powers and become a vampire.