Skyrim: Embracing the Night – A Guide to Joining the Volkihar Vampire Clan
For those who yearn for power beyond mortal comprehension, for those who crave the shadows and the thrill of the hunt, the Volkihar Vampire Clan in Skyrim offers a seductive and transformative path. Joining this ancient and formidable faction unlocks a unique storyline, powerful abilities, and access to a hidden world of vampiric intrigue. This guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough on how to join the Volkihar Clan and begin your journey as a Lord (or Lady) of the night.
Prerequisites and Considerations
Before embarking on this transformation, there are several factors to consider:
* **Dawnguard DLC:** The Volkihar Vampire Clan is part of the *Dawnguard* downloadable content. You must have this DLC installed to access the faction.
* **Character Build:** While any character build *can* become a vampire, certain builds synergize better. Characters focused on stealth, illusion magic, and necromancy will find vampirism particularly beneficial. Melee-oriented characters may need to adapt their playstyle to take full advantage of their new powers and weaknesses. Archery focused characters will also benefit greatly as the skill tree allows ranged attacks while transformed.
* **Moral Alignment:** Joining the Volkihar Clan is generally considered an evil or at least morally ambiguous choice. You’ll be engaging in activities that might be considered reprehensible by most Skyrim citizens. If you’re playing a strictly good-aligned character, joining the Dawnguard (the vampire hunters) might be a more appropriate option.
* **Vampire Weaknesses:** Vampires in Skyrim are vulnerable to sunlight. During the day, your health, magicka, and stamina will regenerate much slower. You will also be less effective in combat during daylight hours. Additionally, vampires are susceptible to fire damage.
* **Vampire Strengths:** As a vampire, you gain resistance to disease and poison. You also gain increased strength and access to powerful vampiric abilities, including the ability to turn invisible, drain life, and transform into a Vampire Lord.
* **Curing Vampirism:** If you later decide that the vampire life isn’t for you, there is a way to cure yourself. However, doing so will remove all the vampiric powers and benefits you’ve gained.
Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Volkihar Clan
1. **Starting the Dawnguard Questline:**
* The *Dawnguard* questline begins automatically once you reach level 10. Rumors will start circulating about a group of vampire hunters forming in Riften.
* You can also start the quest by overhearing guards talking about the Dawnguard or by reading the *Dawnguard* advertisement in cities.
* The quest “Dawnguard” will appear in your journal. Follow the quest marker to Fort Dawnguard, located in the southeastern corner of Skyrim, east of Riften and south of Stendarr’s Beacon. Be prepared to fight some trolls along the way.
2. **Meeting Isran and Joining the Dawnguard (Temporarily):**
* Inside Fort Dawnguard, you’ll meet Isran, the leader of the Dawnguard. He’s a gruff, no-nonsense vampire hunter.
* He will explain the rising vampire threat and ask you to join the Dawnguard. Agree to join. Even if you ultimately want to become a vampire, you need to start here.
* Isran will task you with investigating a vampire attack in the nearby Hall of the Vigilant. This starts the quest “Awakening.”
3. **Investigating the Hall of the Vigilant:**
* Travel to the Hall of the Vigilant, which is located south of Dawnstar. You’ll find it completely destroyed and everyone inside dead, the work of a powerful vampire attack.
* Examine the scene and you’ll find a survivor, Tolan, who is mortally wounded. He tells you that the vampires were searching for something. He will then die.
* Examine the bodies to gain more clues. The most important clue is a trail of blood leading north towards Dimhollow Crypt.
4. **Exploring Dimhollow Crypt:**
* Follow the blood trail to Dimhollow Crypt, a sprawling and dangerous dungeon filled with vampires and draugr.
* Work your way through the crypt, fighting enemies and solving puzzles. Be careful, as there are many traps and ambushes.
* The crypt is a maze-like structure, but generally, you want to head deeper and deeper into the complex.
* Keep an eye out for levers and mechanisms that open doors and pathways.
* Eventually, you’ll reach a large chamber with a sealed sarcophagus. This is where the main objective lies.
5. **Finding Serana:**
* Activate the mechanism near the sarcophagus. This will trigger a puzzle involving braziers. You need to light the braziers in the correct order to open the sarcophagus. The correct order involves manipulating the braziers until they emit a purple flame.
* Once the sarcophagus is open, you’ll find Serana, a pure-blood vampire and the daughter of Lord Harkon, the leader of the Volkihar Clan. She has been entombed there for centuries.
* Speak to Serana. She’ll explain that she needs to return to her family at Volkihar Keep and ask for your help. Agree to help her. This is the crucial step towards joining the Volkihar Clan.
6. **Returning to Fort Dawnguard (Briefly):**
* The quest “Bloodline” will begin. Serana will ask you to escort her home.
* Before heading to Volkihar Keep, you have the *option* of returning to Fort Dawnguard. If you do, Isran will be furious that you’re helping a vampire. He’ll want to know who she is and what she knows. You can choose to tell him or keep Serana’s origins secret.
* Regardless of your choice, Isran will tell you to proceed with Serana to her destination. This step is *not* mandatory; you can proceed directly to the docks without speaking to Isran.
7. **Reaching Volkihar Keep:**
* Volkihar Keep is located on a remote island in the Sea of Ghosts, northwest of Dawnstar. The easiest way to reach it is by taking a small boat from the docks west of Icewater Jetty (directly west of Dawnstar). Serana will lead you to the dock.
* When you reach the docks, a spectral ferryman will appear. Speak to him, and he will transport you to Volkihar Keep.
8. **Meeting Lord Harkon and Choosing Your Allegiance:**
* Upon arriving at Volkihar Keep, you’ll be greeted by a lavish and imposing fortress. Serana will lead you inside.
* You’ll be introduced to Lord Harkon, a powerful and ancient vampire and the patriarch of the Volkihar Clan.
* Harkon will offer you the Gift of Blood, transforming you into a vampire and inducting you into the Volkihar Clan. *This is the point of no return.*
* **To join the Volkihar Clan, you MUST accept Harkon’s offer.** If you refuse, you will be forced to return to Fort Dawnguard and fight against the vampires.
9. **Accepting the Gift of Blood:**
* Accept Harkon’s offer. He will bite you, transforming you into a vampire. You will experience a short cutscene depicting your transformation.
* Congratulations! You are now a member of the Volkihar Vampire Clan.
10. **Embracing Your New Life:**
* After the transformation, Harkon will give you a brief tour of Volkihar Keep and introduce you to some of the other members of the clan.
* He will then task you with your first mission as a vampire, beginning the Volkihar questline. This usually involves proving your loyalty to the clan.
Life as a Volkihar Vampire
Once you’ve joined the Volkihar Clan, your life in Skyrim will change dramatically. Here’s what you can expect:
* **Volkihar Clan Quests:** You’ll have access to a unique questline focused on the Volkihar Clan’s goals, which typically involve acquiring ancient artifacts and furthering their power.
* **Vampire Lord Form:** As a member of the Volkihar Clan, you will eventually gain the ability to transform into a Vampire Lord, a powerful winged creature with unique abilities and a dedicated skill tree.
* **New Powers and Abilities:** You’ll gain access to a range of vampiric powers and abilities, including blood magic, necromancy, and enhanced physical attributes. As a vampire, you’ll be able to enhance your sight to pierce through even the darkest environments.
* **New Allies:** You’ll gain access to new allies within the Volkihar Clan, including powerful vampires, mages, and other creatures.
* **New Enemies:** You’ll make new enemies, including the Dawnguard and other vampire hunters who seek to destroy the Volkihar Clan.
* **Feeding:** As a vampire, you need to feed on blood to survive. If you don’t feed regularly, you’ll progress through the four stages of vampirism. At stage four, you’ll become hostile to most NPCs and will have to feed to progress. Feeding can be achieved by sneaking up on sleeping NPCs or by using the Vampire’s Seduction ability on awake NPCs.
* **Sunlight Weakness:** Remember that vampires are vulnerable to sunlight. Plan your activities carefully to avoid being out in the sun for extended periods.
* **Volkihar Keep Amenities:** Volkihar Keep offers various amenities for its vampire residents, including training dummies, crafting stations, and a courtyard to relax in.
* **Serana as a Companion:** Serana becomes a valuable and powerful follower. She’s an essential character to the Volkihar questline. She is able to use a wide variety of spells and can resurrect corpses to fight alongside you.
Tips and Tricks for Playing as a Volkihar Vampire
* **Embrace the Night:** Focus your activities during the night to avoid the debilitating effects of sunlight.
* **Master Blood Magic:** Blood magic is a powerful tool for vampires. Experiment with different spells and abilities to find what works best for your playstyle.
* **Utilize Stealth:** Vampires are masters of stealth. Use your invisibility and sneak abilities to your advantage.
* **Manage Your Thirst:** Regularly feed on blood to avoid progressing to stage four vampirism and becoming hostile to NPCs.
* **Explore Volkihar Keep:** Volkihar Keep is full of secrets and hidden areas. Take the time to explore and discover all that it has to offer.
* **Crafting Poisons:** Crafting poisons can significantly enhance your damage output, especially when facing enemies resistant to your vampiric abilities. Paralysis poisons can be particularly useful.
* **Use Armor That Protects From Sunlight:** There are certain armors that will mitigate or even negate the effects of sunlight. This will greatly enhance your survivability during the day.
* **Choose the Correct Perks:** Invest in perks that will allow you to deal increased damage while transformed as a Vampire Lord. These perks will greatly enhance your combat abilities.
The Vampire Lord Skill Tree
When you accept Harkon’s gift, you gain the Vampire Lord form. You can switch between your human and Vampire Lord form at will. The Vampire Lord form has its own skill tree, which is leveled up by killing enemies with Drain Life or biting them with a power attack in melee range.
Here are some of the key perks to consider:
* **Power of the Grave:** 50 points bonus to Health, Magicka, and Stamina as a Vampire Lord.
* **Blood Healing:** Killing a person with a power attack bite restores all your health.
* **Unearthly Will:** Night Powers and Blood Magic cost 33% less.
* **Poison Talons:** Melee attacks do 20 points of poison damage.
* **Night Cloak:** In combat, you are surrounded by a cloud of bats that damage nearby enemies.
* **Vampiric Grip:** Can pull creatures to you from a distance, and do 5 points of damage per second.
* **Summon Gargoyle:** Summons a gargoyle to fight for you wherever the spell is cast.
* **Corpse Curse:** Paralyzes the target.
Pros and Cons of Joining the Volkihar Clan
**Pros:**
* **Powerful Abilities:** Access to unique vampiric powers and abilities, including the Vampire Lord transformation.
* **Unique Questline:** A compelling and engaging questline focused on the Volkihar Clan’s goals.
* **New Allies:** Access to new allies within the Volkihar Clan.
* **Strategic Advantages:** Bonuses to stealth and illusion magic, useful for sneaky gameplay.
**Cons:**
* **Sunlight Weakness:** Vulnerability to sunlight, making daytime activities more challenging.
* **Moral Implications:** Engaging in morally questionable activities.
* **Negative Reputation:** Potential negative reputation with certain factions and NPCs.
* **Feeding Requirements:** The need to regularly feed on blood to survive.
Conclusion
Joining the Volkihar Vampire Clan is a transformative and rewarding experience in Skyrim. It offers a unique storyline, powerful abilities, and a glimpse into a hidden world of vampiric intrigue. While there are challenges associated with being a vampire, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for those who embrace the darkness. So, if you’re looking for a new and exciting way to experience Skyrim, consider joining the Volkihar Clan and becoming a Lord (or Lady) of the night. Enjoy your time ruling the darkness!