how to get to the dawnguard in skyrim

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for reaching the Dawnguard, the noble order of vampire hunters in Skyrim, and beginning their legendary questline.

Table of Contents

Prerequisites: Level and Rumor
The Road to Dayspring Canyon
Finding Fort Dawnguard
Gaining Entry and the First Meeting
Committing to the Cause
Alternative Paths and Considerations

Prerequisites: Level and Rumor

Your journey to the Dawnguard begins not with a specific location, but with a rumor. Once your character reaches level ten, hold guards and town citizens across Skyrim will begin discussing the reformed order. They speak of the Dawnguard recruiting new members to stand against a growing vampire threat. This dialogue trigger is the essential first step, opening the path to the quest "Dawnguard." You may also hear of the Dawnguard directly by entering any major city's inn and listening for conversations, or by speaking to an innkeeper and asking for news. The quest will formally appear in your journal, marking the objective "Join the Dawnguard."

It is crucial to understand that level ten is the only mandatory requirement. You do not need to have progressed in the main storyline, become the Thane of any hold, or chosen a specific side in the civil war. The Dawnguard's call is independent of your other exploits, though your experiences will undoubtedly shape your approach to the conflicts ahead. Some players prefer to reach a higher level before embarking, as the challenges within the Dawnguard questline can be formidable, but the invitation stands at level ten.

The Road to Dayspring Canyon

With the rumor heard and the journal updated, your next objective is to find the Dawnguard's secret headquarters. The quest marker will guide you to the southeast region of Skyrim, specifically to the Rift hold. Your destination is Dayspring Canyon, the hidden gorge that serves as the gateway to Fort Dawnguard. The most common and scenic route begins from the city of Riften. Exit Riften through the southern gate and follow the road east, skirting the southern shores of Lake Honrich.

Continue along the path as it winds south and east, passing by the entrances to Lost Prospect Mine and the Forebears' Holdout. You will eventually see a stone bridge on your right, crossing a river. Do not cross this bridge. Instead, look for a narrower, less-traveled path leading south into the mountains just before the bridge. This path ascends into a rocky pass and culminates at a cave entrance named "Dayspring Canyon." This cave is the entrance to the canyon itself, not a typical dungeon. Entering it is the final step before arriving at the fortress.

Finding Fort Dawnguard

Dayspring Canyon is a unique exterior cell, a beautiful and secluded valley protected from the outside world. Upon exiting the cave, you will find yourself on a path overlooking a serene stream. Follow this path downward. You will be greeted by the sight of a majestic, rebuilt fortification built into the canyon walls. This is Fort Dawnguard. As you approach the main gate, you will likely encounter one of the Dawnguard's loyal armored trolls, a testament to their unique methods, and perhaps a patrolling member in heavy, golden-yellow armor.

The canyon itself is a defensible masterpiece. The single entrance through the cave creates a natural chokepoint. The fortification utilizes the existing stone of the canyon, making it difficult to assault. Before even speaking to anyone, the location communicates the Dawnguard's philosophy: resilience, secrecy, and a pragmatic use of any tool or ally to achieve their goal. It is a stark contrast to the more traditional castles of Skyrim and immediately sets the tone for the order you are about to join.

Gaining Entry and the First Meeting

Walk up to the large wooden doors of Fort Dawnguard and enter. Inside, you will be in a small antechamber. Proceed through the next door into the main hall. Here, you will be greeted by Isran, the Redguard leader of the Dawnguard. Isran is a severe, focused, and deeply suspicious man, hardened by years of fighting vampires. The initial conversation with him is critical. He will question your motives and test your resolve. He is not interested in glory-seekers or the faint of heart.

Your dialogue choices here are straightforward. Express your desire to join the fight against vampires. Isran will then give you a simple, immediate task to prove your worth: he will ask you to recruit one of two potential members, either the wizard Sorine Jurard or the dwarf-engineering enthusiast Gunmar. This serves as both an initiation and a tutorial for the faction's needs. Choosing either is fine; the quest marker will point you to their last known location in the wilds of Skyrim. Successfully persuading or assisting them and returning to Fort Dawnguard completes your induction.

Committing to the Cause

Upon returning with your recruited companion, Isran will formally welcome you to the Dawnguard. You are now a member. You will be given the Dawnguard armor, a powerful early-game set resistant to fire, and assigned a cot in the barracks. More importantly, you gain access to the full services of the fort: vendors who sell specialized anti-undead weapons like silver bolts for crossbows, trainers, and the unique quests that define this storyline. The central narrative, "Awakening," will begin shortly after, launching you into the epic conflict with Lord Harkon's Volkihar vampire clan.

Your commitment to the Dawnguard path means embracing a certain playstyle. You will have access to sun-based destruction spells, enhanced crossbows, and the invaluable services of the armored trolls as followers. The quests will primarily involve hunting vampires, investigating their plots, and reclaiming ancient artifacts of light. It is a narrative focused on perseverance, sacrifice, and holding the line against the darkness, both literal and metaphorical.

Alternative Paths and Considerations

It is important to note that reaching the Dawnguard is also the first step toward an entirely different, darker path. During the early quests, you will encounter the vampire Serana. The storyline presents a clear choice: remain with the Dawnguard or embrace vampirism and join Lord Harkon's court. Mechanically, you can reach Castle Volkihar and become a Vampire Lord without ever formally joining the Dawnguard by wandering near the castle or stumbling upon Serana's location. However, the structured, intended narrative experience for both factions begins with the journey to Fort Dawnguard as described.

Furthermore, players using certain mods or playing the Special Edition with all creations should be aware that the "Dawnguard" quest can sometimes have trigger conflicts. If you have reached level ten and no one is discussing the Dawnguard, traveling directly to Dayspring Canyon and entering Fort Dawnguard can often force-start the questline by triggering the conversation with Isran. The journey to the Dawnguard is therefore more than a simple trek across the map; it is the first conscious step in choosing the side of mortal guardians in Skyrim's eternal struggle against the night.

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