Isran Isran is the stoic Redguard leader and founder of the modern Dawnguard . He also serves as a master skill trainer in Heavy Armor and will offer his services to the Dragonborn if they join the Dawnguard . Background . He was previously a member of the Vigilants of Stendarr years ago after witnessing his family ' s death at the hands of Molag Bal Vampire cultists , alongside Celann . Dissatisfied with the order , and the fact the Vigil found his methods " extreme , " they both left to form their own partnership . It didn ' t last long , as Celann began to disagree with some of Isran ' s methods . In 4E 201 , after a recent spate of vampire attacks , Isran went on to revive an ancient order of vampire hunters known as the Dawnguard . He re - established its headquarters in Fort Dawnguard , a massive fortress deep within the Velothi Mountains and rallied new recruits in order to combat the undead menace . Personality . Isran has a strong sense of righteousness and in addition believes it is his duty to protect Skyrim from vampires . Unfortunately , he believes that killing vampires is more important than saving innocent lives and would willingly sacrifice an entire village if it meant killing just one more vampire . Even though he is not from Skyrim , he is proud to live there as heard through his battle cries . Despite no longer being a Vigilant , he still believes in Stendarr . He has quite a cold demeanor initially , perhaps the only trait he shares with his counterpart , Harkon . His unfriendliness goes to new extremes when Serana is among the Dawnguard ; he talks to her in harsh tones and constantly refers to her as ' it ' , even to her face . However , towards the end of the main questline , Isran refers to Serana by her name , rather than ' it ' , and goes as far to thank her for helping kill Harkon . According to him , his hatred of vampires is what keeps him strong ; that , and constant vigilance . Compared to Gunmar who also lost his family to vampires , his drive to purge the land of vampires is not out of protecting people from the vampire menace but out of pure hate . Despite these negative traits , he is still compassionate and forgiving , as he did not gloat about his dire predictions coming true to Vigilant Tolan . He is so tense and alert that he belittles the Dragonborn for sleeping , claiming it to be a weakness . The Dawnguard ' s leader is perfectly content expecting the worst to happen . However , while others mocked him , he read the signs and was able to take the right measures . Isran apparently has a consistent habit of falling - out with people and holding grudges . The Vigil let him go after he proved too " extreme . " Celann explains that he was never happy with Isran ' s rough and violent methods , and broke off their partnership . Florentius , the priest of Arkay , never got on with him either . However , Isran is not so petty as to stay mad at people in times of need . To the surprise of his old colleagues , he recruits them to help the Dawnguard . In his own gruff manner , he continued to care for these people too . Upon hearing of Keeper Carcette and the other Vigilants ' deaths , he shows sorrow and compassion for their losses . If anything , it gives him more fuel for his obsession : to exterminate all Vampires . Combat . Isran is a formidable opponent , more than capable of spearheading an assault on vampires . He wields a Dawnguard warhammer with lethal force , especially deadly to Vampires . He also has an arsenal of spells to use . He uses the Dawnguard - exclusive spells of Sun Fire and Stendarr ' s Aura . He combines both Stendarr ' s Aura and Stoneflesh to make him truly dangerous to come in contact with . He will heal himself when in low health using Restoration spells . Interactions . Dawnguard . After hearing about an order of vampire hunters who are recruiting , the Dragonborn goes to join . Isran and Celann meet both the Dragonborn and Agmaer and induct them into the group . Awakening . After a plea from Tolan , Isran sends the Dragonborn to investigate what the vampires who attacked the Hall of the Vigilant were looking for . A New Order . Furious at the Dragonborn ' s compassion to Serana and delivering an Elder Scroll to the Vampires , Isran orders the Dragonborn to make amends and recruit two of his old colleagues to their cause . Prophet . Isran brings the player to reunite with Serana , who has fled from her father , Harkon . While disgusted at her presence , Isran is interested to hear about a Moth Priest in Skyrim and could help them understand the Tyranny of the Sun that Serana mentions . He sends the Dragonborn to retrieve Dexion Evicus to help read Serana ' s Scroll . Destroying the Dawnguard . He and the others members in Fort Dawnguard are targets for this vampire side quest . A Jarl ' s Justice . Isran requires help dealing with a vampire masquerading as a Visiting Advisor to a Jarl .