Prerequisites: Completion of the quest "Touching the Sky" Quest Giver: Serana Region:Fort Dawnguard and/or Castle Volkihar Reward:Harkon's Sword, role as Volkihar leader and castle owner
Summary:After Isran rallies the Dawnguard for the final battle, one heads to Castle Volkihar and fights all vampires together. Lord Harkon is confronted in the cathedral and must be defeated in the final battle.
Completing this quest is considered an achievement
Quest Description
Speak with Serana
This final quest of the Dawnguard main plot begins as soon as the floating Auriel's Bow has been acquired on the temple balcony of the chantry. Before leaving the ruins of the Inner Sanctum and the Forgotten Vale, Gelebor can still be questioned about his plans, the future of the chantry, the Betrayed, the power of the bow, and potential misuse. Serana reminds that it is time to face her father. This path is not easy for her, but she realizes that no other choice remains. She wants to do her best to no longer view him as her father. However, she fears being overwhelmed in an unconsidered storming of the castle and suggests showing the bow to Isran first to hope for his support.
Planning the next steps in the ruined chapel of the Inner Sanctum.
Speak with Isran
Isran is astonished and overwhelmed by the beauty of the legendary bow, and naturally, he is ready to lead the Dawnguard against Harkon. However, he wonders whether Serana can be trusted in this matter. After all, she would have to raise the sword against her own kind, against her own family. Then he gathers everyone in the entrance hall and rallies them for the final, decisive battle: the abominable creatures must be destroyed so that they no longer bring death and destruction upon the world. The time has come to wipe out Harkon and his unholy prophecy once and for all. With fearless determination and the help of the divine bow, the fateful victory must simply succeed.
Dawnguard members before setting off into the final battle.
Confront Harkon with Auriel's Bow Everyone gathers at the jetty in front of Castle Volkihar, knowing what is at stake and what needs to be done. Then the castle is stormed, but even the bridge is defended by vampires, gargoyles, and death hounds. However, the great battle takes place inside the castle.
Battle turmoil in the banquet hall.
The vampires are pursued through the castle rooms and taken down. Everyone fights in their own way, whether with two-handed weapons or dual-wielding. One can participate in the battle or simply sprint past everyone and enter the Volkihar Cathedral with Serana. In the case of the Vampire storyline, one is directed to Harkon in the cathedral by everyone anyway. There, Lord Harkon awaits in Vampire Lord form and greets his daughter. A verbal confrontation between father and daughter follows. Lord Harkon is disappointed by his daughter's attitude and the player's lack of loyalty. He feels betrayed and demands Auriel's Bow. If it is refused, combat ensues. If it is handed over, a betrayal occurs and combat ensues regardless. Keeping the bow is advantageous, as it eases the upcoming fight. Harkon ends the conversation by summoning a gargoyle, and the dance begins.
Defeat Harkon Serana fights bravely and mostly takes care of the skeletons and gargoyles summoned or reanimated by Harkon. For technical reasons (see bugs), the fight should not be prolonged, and attention should be focused primarily on Harkon - he is a difficult and tough opponent. He can be fought with weapons and magic, though he usually evades quickly via the balcony. When his magicka is depleted, he also transitions into close combat. Repeatedly, he turns into a swarm of bats and materializes at the shrine to regenerate. During this, he envelops himself in a blood magic shield. This must be interrupted quickly using Auriel's Bow and Sunhallowed Elven Arrows. If proficient in archery, the entire fight could be fought solely with Auriel's Bow to bring it to a quick conclusion. Shortly before his end, he teleports to the shrine one last time to be destroyed there and vanish in a cloud of red ash.
With Harkon's death, the quest ends, concluding the main storyline of Dawnguard.
The doors to the cathedral are unlocked, and Isran enters the room. With satisfaction, he announces the victory and is glad to know Auriel's Bow is in safe hands. Still somewhat reserved but sincere, he thanks Serana for this great deed and offers her to join the Dawnguard. The fight is not over yet, and new tasks await. In the case of the Vampire storyline, it is Garan Marethi who enters the room. He is astonished by the victory and expresses his sympathy to Serana. He acknowledges the player's superior power and appoints them as the master and new castle owner.
Serana intends to stay at Fort Dawnguard or Castle Volkihar and is pleased if one is willing to take her along as a follower on further adventures.
Known Bugs
It is highly recommended to save the game before entering the Volkihar Cathedral. The following confrontation is heavily scripted. Especially as soon as the battle begins, several scripted actions run in parallel. This makes the game vulnerable and unstable. The safest approach is to avoid any actions that generate special effects (Dragon Shouts, unusual spells, Vampire Lord bat form). If anything unusual is noticed (behavioral or graphical glitches), playing further should be avoided as a precaution. Bugs occurring here might be saved and can affect the subsequent gameplay. If errors happen regularly, the usage of Auriel's Bow here should not be overdone either, preferably utilizing it solely to interrupt Harkon's regeneration. Interrupted dialogues after the fight are almost the rule and can be ignored.
After Harkon's death, Serana can freeze in a combat stance (which occasionally occurred after past battles as well). She remains in combat mode and is unresponsive. Usually, this resolves itself after a certain period of time. However, a mode change can be forced by attacking her until she falls to her knees.
Tips & Notes
If one became a vampire during "Chasing Echoes" to enter the Soul Cairn, Isran refuses any conversation until a cure is obtained. Falion in Morthal can assist with this, or one can turn to Aela the Huntress.
Serana participates in the battle against the castle inhabitants. However, upon entering the cathedral, she is automatically by the player's side.
Regardless of the side played - the final boss is always Lord Harkon and must be destroyed.
The combat music inside the Volkihar Cathedral is the same as during a dragon fight.
Harkon's final words are: "- No... Serana... Your own father...". Slightly suspect, considering he fought her on a life-or-death basis immediately prior.
Among Harkon's remains, Harkon's unique katana and his Royal Vampire Armor are found. Only two of these armors are available in the entire game. The other lies in a private room next to Valerica's study in the tower ruins.
Attacks by the opposing faction in cities and the wilderness become less frequent after the quest.
Valerica can be informed of the victory in the Soul Cairn, whereupon she returns to Castle Volkihar.
The blacksmith of the chosen faction keeps a large stock of Elven Arrows available from now on. After appropriate treatment, they generate powerful effects when shot with Auriel's Bow. For details on the effects, see the notes of the previous quest.
and/or Castle Volkihar
, role as Volkihar leader and castle owner
and the Forgotten Vale, Gelebor can still be questioned about his plans, the future of the chantry, the Betrayed, the power of the bow, and potential misuse. Serana reminds
that it is time to face her father. This path is not easy for her, but she realizes that no other choice remains. She wants to do her best to no longer view him as her father. However, she fears being overwhelmed in an unconsidered storming of the castle and suggests showing the bow to Isran first to hope for his support.
and rallies them for the final, decisive battle: the abominable creatures must be destroyed so that they no longer bring death and destruction upon the world. The time has come to wipe out Harkon and his unholy prophecy once and for all. With fearless determination and the help of the divine bow, the fateful victory must simply succeed.
in front of Castle Volkihar, knowing what is at stake and what needs to be done. Then the castle is stormed, but even the bridge is defended by vampires
, gargoyles
, and death hounds. However, the great battle takes place inside the castle.
. Everyone fights
in their own way, whether with two-handed weapons
or dual-wielding
. One can participate in the battle or simply sprint past everyone and enter the Volkihar Cathedral with Serana. In the case of the Vampire storyline, one is directed to Harkon in the cathedral by everyone anyway. There, Lord Harkon
awaits in Vampire Lord form and greets his daughter. A verbal confrontation
between father and daughter follows. Lord Harkon is disappointed by his daughter's attitude and the player's lack of loyalty. He feels betrayed and demands Auriel's Bow. If it is refused, combat ensues. If it is handed over, a betrayal occurs and combat ensues regardless. Keeping the bow is advantageous, as it eases the upcoming fight. Harkon ends the conversation by summoning a gargoyle, and the dance begins.
and mostly takes care of the skeletons
and gargoyles summoned or reanimated by Harkon. For technical reasons (see bugs), the fight should not be prolonged, and attention should be focused primarily on Harkon - he is a difficult and tough opponent. He can be fought with weapons and magic, though he usually evades quickly via the balcony. When his magicka is depleted, he also transitions into close combat. Repeatedly, he turns into a swarm of bats and materializes at the shrine to regenerate. During this, he envelops himself in a blood magic shield. This must be interrupted
quickly using Auriel's Bow
and Sunhallowed Elven Arrows. If proficient in archery, the entire fight could be fought solely with Auriel's Bow
to bring it to a quick conclusion. Shortly before his end, he teleports to the shrine one last time to be destroyed there and vanish in a cloud of red ash
.
and/or Castle Volkihar
and the Forgotten Vale, Gelebor can still be questioned about his plans, the future of the chantry, the Betrayed, the power of the bow, and potential misuse. Serana reminds
that it is time to face her father. This path is not easy for her, but she realizes that no other choice remains. She wants to do her best to no longer view him as her father. However, she fears being overwhelmed in an unconsidered storming of the castle and suggests showing the bow to Isran first to hope for his support.
and rallies them for the final, decisive battle: the abominable creatures must be destroyed so that they no longer bring death and destruction upon the world. The time has come to wipe out Harkon and his unholy prophecy once and for all. With fearless determination and the help of the divine bow, the fateful victory must simply succeed.
in front of Castle Volkihar, knowing what is at stake and what needs to be done. Then the castle is stormed, but even the bridge is defended by vampires
, gargoyles
, and death hounds. However, the great battle takes place inside the castle.
. Everyone fights
in their own way, whether with two-handed weapons
or dual-wielding
. One can participate in the battle or simply sprint past everyone and enter the Volkihar Cathedral with Serana. In the case of the Vampire storyline, one is directed to Harkon in the cathedral by everyone anyway. There, Lord Harkon
awaits in Vampire Lord form and greets his daughter. A verbal confrontation
between father and daughter follows. Lord Harkon is disappointed by his daughter's attitude and the player's lack of loyalty. He feels betrayed and demands Auriel's Bow. If it is refused, combat ensues. If it is handed over, a betrayal occurs and combat ensues regardless. Keeping the bow is advantageous, as it eases the upcoming fight. Harkon ends the conversation by summoning a gargoyle, and the dance begins.
and mostly takes care of the skeletons
and gargoyles summoned or reanimated by Harkon. For technical reasons (see bugs), the fight should not be prolonged, and attention should be focused primarily on Harkon - he is a difficult and tough opponent. He can be fought with weapons and magic, though he usually evades quickly via the balcony. When his magicka is depleted, he also transitions into close combat. Repeatedly, he turns into a swarm of bats and materializes at the shrine to regenerate. During this, he envelops himself in a blood magic shield. This must be interrupted
quickly using Auriel's Bow
and Sunhallowed Elven Arrows. If proficient in archery, the entire fight could be fought solely with Auriel's Bow
to bring it to a quick conclusion. Shortly before his end, he teleports to the shrine one last time to be destroyed there and vanish in a cloud of red ash
.
