Bolstering the Ranks is a recruitment quest in the Dawnguard add-on. Sorine Jurard thinks the Dawnguard could use Florentius Baenius, a former priest of Arkay, and the trail leads to the ruins of Ruunvald in the Rift. The rescue is the easy part; getting a man who chats with his god to agree to work for Isran is another matter.
How to start
After you bring Dexion Evicus back to Fort Dawnguard during Prophet, talk to Sorine Jurard. She points you at Florentius and tells you to ask Isran where he might be.
Walkthrough
Speak with Isran
Isran is less than thrilled at the idea, but he eventually gives in and explains that Florentius was last seen helping the Vigilants of Stendarr at Ruunvald, up in the mountains east of Shor’s Stone and north of Riften.
Ruunvald Excavation
Outside Ruunvald Excavation, a tent holds Volk’s Journal, an early hint that the dig has gone wrong. Every Vigilant working the site has been enthralled and attacks on sight, often together with a charmed husky. Work your way down through the tunnels and caverns, watching for a tripwire that sets off an oil trap and later a stretch of pressure plates wired to crossbows. Along the way you can pick up the three volumes of Discovering Ruunvald, some leveled potions, a few chests and malachite ore. The last big cavern is the entrance to the ruin itself, guarded by Volk, four Vigilants and a husky. Cross the bridge, take the ramps down and go through the southern archway into Ruunvald Temple.
Ruunvald Temple
Head toward the candlelit area, where the book Minorne lies, then go south into the large cavern. Florentius is locked in a cage there while Minorne, Moric Sidrey and a Vigilant attack him. Kill Minorne and every charmed Vigilant still standing dies with her, Volk and Moric included, and even any you raised with Dead Thrall. Take the key to the cell from her body and let Florentius out.
Convince Florentius
Florentius is grateful, but the mention of Isran sours the mood quickly. Keep pushing and he will consult Arkay mid-conversation, grudgingly accept the god’s advice and set off for Fort Dawnguard on his own. That completes the quest.
Rewards
- Staff of Ruunvald (listed as the quest reward in the source)
- Florentius Baenius joins the Dawnguard and becomes a master trainer in Restoration
- Florentius also opens shop as an alchemist, and an alchemy lab appears in the fort across from the arcane enchanter
Tips and notes
- Stealthy characters can skip almost the whole dungeon: with Invisibility, Throw Voice and good Sneak, you can slip past the Vigilants and kill only Minorne, which drops all of her thralls at once.
- Talking to Florentius through the bars without unlocking the cage still seems to send him on his way to the fort.
- If you finish this while Prophet is still active, Florentius may be present when Dexion reads Serana’s Elder Scroll.
- On your next visit, Florentius will be wearing Dawnguard armor.
- The source says the quest can be done at any time, even after the main questline, but it also warns that starting it is blocked between Touching the Sky and Kindred Judgment (see bugs). Starting it early is the safe bet.
