Skyrim:Dawnguard (faction)

right|100pxThe Dawnguard is an order of vampire hunters living and operating from Fort Dawnguard. You may join them to fight against Lord Harkon and his plot to blot out the sun. The Dawnguard was re-formed by Isran in order to combat the growing vampire menace in Skyrim, and initially only consists of him, Celann, and Durak when you arrive. As time passes (regardless of which faction you join), more people join the Dawnguard. The Dawnguard also keeps two armored huskies as war dogs, three armored trolls (tamed by Gunmar), and partially shelters several refugees who fled there for relief from the vampire scourge. However, the latter are not permitted to enter the fort itself.

 
Fort Dawnguard
thumb|right|Fort Dawnguard
The Dawnguard's base of operations is the ancient Fort Dawnguard in Dayspring Canyon in the extreme southeast of Skyrim. Built in the Second Era by the Jarl of Riften, the castle served to contain the Jarl's son after he became a vampire. To prevent his son from leaving the castle, the Jarl hired a group of mercenaries known as the Dawnguard, who extended their purpose to root out any vampiric presence in Skyrim. However, the group eventually had to kill their charge, forcing the Jarl to disband them and leave the fort abandoned.  At some point in the Fourth Era, Isran, a former Vigilant of Stendarr, rediscovered and repaired the fort and reformed the ancient order.

Membership
Joining
To join the Dawnguard, you must speak with Isran at Fort Dawnguard. You can learn how to reach the fort by hearing about the vampire hunters as part of the Dawnguard quest. Once there, Isran will ask you to investigate Dimhollow Crypt in the next quest, Awakening.

After completing Awakening, you will become a member of the Dawnguard in the quest Bloodline by rejecting Lord Harkon's offer to become a Vampire Lord.

Benefits
These benefits should be compared to those offered by the Volkihar.
Master-level trainers in Archery (Sorine Jurard), Heavy Armor (Isran), Restoration (Florentius Baenius), and Smithing (Gunmar).
Access to an apothecary (Florentius Baenus), blacksmith (Gunmar), and general goods merchant (Sorine Jurard).
Access to an arcane enchanter and alchemy lab.
Access to Gunmar's Forge, where more powerful crossbows and bolts can be forged.
Can take on the Ancient Technology quests, which are the only way to gain access to Enhanced and Dwarven crossbows and Exploding bolts.
Can acquire the powerful Dawnguard Rune Axe,  Hammer, and Shield.
Only way to puchase Restoration spells with the rare sun damage effect.
Multiple possible followers as well as Bran and Sceolang, two huskies.
Celann, Durak, and Ingjard make up the majority of followers without a level cap.
Able to hire armored trolls for 500 gold from Gunmar.
Random encounters where vampires attack the player or settlements are less likely to occur after completing the Dawnguard questline.
Endless supply of radiant quests.

Suspension
If you have vampirism but rejected Harkon's offer, members of the Dawnguard will not offer their services to you and will have very limited dialogue until you are cured. Most members of the Dawnguard will suggest you speak with Falion in Morthal, but contracting lycanthropy is another option.

Banishment
If you become a member of the Volkihar Vampire Clan by accepting Harkon's offer, you will be labeled an enemy of the Dawnguard. You will not be able to use any of the Dawnguard's services and will be attacked on sight by members even if you choose to cure your vampirism. This can be remedied somewhat by destroying the Dawnguard.

Quests
thumb|right|Dawnguard knotwork as it appears in the SR:Quests|Journal
Primary Quests
The primary Dawnguard questline consists of twelve required quests and one optional quest. Three achievements (80 points; 2 Bronze and 1 Silver) are unlocked by Dawnguard quests.
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#  (20px|Awakening 20 pts/Bronze)
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#*(optional)  
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#*  (20px|Beyond Death 20 pts/Bronze)
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#  (20px|Kindred Judgement 40 pts/Silver)

Radiant Quests
 
These quests are available after completing A New Order and are repeatable:
Given by Gunmar:
 
 
 
 
Given by Isran:
 
Given by Sorine Jurard:
  (This quest can only be done six times, after which you can buy or create Enhanced Dwarven Crossbows)

These quests are available after completing Bolstering the Ranks and are repeatable:
Given by Florentius Baenius:
  (This quest can only be done three times, after which all three Dawnguard artifacts will have been found)
 

Other Quests
 

Members