Awakening ( Dawnguard ) Awakening is a quest in . This is the second quest in the add - on . The first word for a Dragon Shout , Drain Vitality is learned here . Serana , a mysterious woman , is first introduced to the Dragonborn during this quest . Walkthrough . Dimhollow Crypt . Upon entering the Dimhollow Crypt , a short dialogue between two vampires about recent events will begin ( they mention a Vigilant putting up a courageous , yet doomed fight ) . Vigilant Tolan will be dead on the floor in front of the large gate . In addition to the vampires are death hound s . After defeating them , proceed to the second floor of the tower to the right . A leveled weapon can be found just as the tower is entered along with an urn and a chest . At the top of the stairs there is a chain that needs to be pulled to open the large gate into the next chamber . After proceeding through the tunnel will open up to a cavern with a vampire and some skeletons . Another gate sits on the left with a lever to open it . Through this gate an arcane enchanter and some soul gems can be found . Proceed north down the steps where a leveled draugr and a few vampires are engaged in combat . There are four gates in this room . The gate to the east leads to a casket from which a leveled Draugr will break out . As you face the casket , on the both sides beyond the cage walls in this area is a leveled weapon with a random enchantment which can be easily obtained using Telekinesis . Back in the main room , the gate to the north leads to a pedestal trap with some potions . The southwest gate leads to a Master locked chest and the one to the west leads to the next area . Following the tunnel leads to a large cavern with a lake . Several skeletons will emerge from the water along with a vampire . Proceed to the room at the top of the ramp where more vampires and death hounds can be found . In addition , a few Frostbite Spiders also attack . Sometimes these spiders can be found dead , presumably killed by the death hounds and vampires . Proceed through the tunnels into the next chamber with a large iron gate . Through the gate there is a leveled boss Vampire and a wounded Giant Frostbite Spider attacking each other . Open the gate via the lever on the left and kill them both before heading deeper into the cavern . It is advisable to stealth kill the vampire after he kills the spider , or he will revive the spider to fight for him . Dimhollow Cavern . Upon entering this chamber , another short conversation will occur between Lokil and Vigilant Adalvald after which Lokil kills him . Proceeding forward past the Gargoyle statues will bring the large cavern into full view . On the lower platform will be the body of Vigilant Adalvald , and a copy of his book — " Notes on Dimhollow Crypt , Vol . 3 " giving some insight into the structures within the cavern . After defeating Lokil and his minions , proceed over the bridge onto the large circular platform with a pedestal located in the center . Press the button on the pedestal and then push the braziers into the correct places so that their contents are ablaze with a purplish blue flame , as seen in the image to the right . Start with the brazier that is in line with the purple flame , and proceed counterclockwise . Each brazier should be placed where the purple flame ends in order to continue it : The floor will lower revealing an ancient sarcophagus containing a woman named Serana . After a brief introduction the quest will be complete and the next quest " Bloodline " will immediately begin . Upon leaving platform and across the bridge two gargoyles will attack . Then further on into a large room with a few draugr tombs , once the lever has been pulled two leveled draugr will emerge . Further along you will come across a large room centered on a fire pit . Thrones will be dotted around the room with about five skeletons occupying them until you walk past . Directly across from the player as they walk in will be a draugr death lord , next to a master - locked chest filled with random items . As well as this a word wall is located to the right of the chest , with a word for the shout Drain Vitality . The way out is located behind the wooden doors behind a gate with the pull chain to the right .