“Dawnguard” is the quest that kicks off Skyrim’s Dawnguard add-on. Word gets around that an order of vampire hunters is recruiting, and you head to their fortress in the Rift to see what the fuss is about. It’s a short quest, but it introduces Isran, Fort Dawnguard and the vampire threat that drives the rest of the story.
How to start
- Level 10 or higher: enter one of the hold capitals and a Hold Guard will mention the Dawnguard, or the Orc Durak will walk up and invite you himself.
- Below level 10: you don’t have to wait. Walk to Dayspring Canyon, north-northeast of Stendarr’s Beacon in the Rift (not far from Riften), and talk to the young recruit Agmaer. He’ll gladly tag along.
Walkthrough
Dayspring Canyon
The path up the canyon ends at a glacial waterfall above a lake, with Fort Dawnguard waiting at the far end. Agmaer is usually hanging around nearby, nervous about his first day.
Durak’s crossbow
Durak is practising outside the fort. Ask him about his weapon and he hands you a crossbow and a stack of steel bolts – the Dawnguard’s signature weapon, and a welcome change from bows for many builds.
Isran and Vigilant Tolan
Inside, Isran is arguing with Vigilant Tolan of the Vigilants of Stendarr. Tolan brings grim news: vampires have attacked the Hall of the Vigilant and killed everyone there, Keeper Carcette included. Isran, who left the Vigilants because nobody believed his warnings, is not in a forgiving mood.
Tolan explains that the vampires were after something buried in Dimhollow Crypt, and that he’ll meet you there. Isran grudgingly agrees that one Vigilant shouldn’t face that alone. When the conversation ends, the quest is complete and Awakening begins.
Tips and notes
- You can join the Dawnguard even if you’re a vampire – it only becomes a problem later in the questline.
- Many Dawnguard members aren’t essential. If you already know you’ll side with the Volkihar Clan, that matters later, but most players simply leave them alone.
- Once the add-on is installed, vampires start attacking settlements at night and can kill unprotected merchants and quest givers. The attacks calm down once you reach Bloodline, so it pays not to dawdle.
- Known exploit: ask Durak about his crossbow, stash it before talking to Isran, and Isran gives you a second one plus more bolts.
Known bugs
On some saves everyone in Dayspring Canyon turns hostile on arrival – reported fixes involve paying off any bounty in the Rift and coming back. If Awakening doesn’t start on PC, setstage DLC1VQ01 10 is the usual console fix.
The full storyline is covered on our Dawnguard faction page.
