The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a massive game with all sorts of characters for the player to encounter. Vampires are an interesting example as some are immediately hostile to the Dragonborn, while others are civil, even friendly. That said, many of these vampires belong to a group, and, unfortunately, the vampire factions of Skyrim are, more often than not, plotting something nefarious.
Each of Skyrim’s vampire factions has its own goals – some more malevolent than others. While most of these groups threaten the safety of the locals of Skyrim, one group, in particular, poses a threat that could affect all of Tamriel.
The Volkihar Clan of Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC
The Volkihar Clan is the main antagonist of the Dawnguard DLC (assuming that the player sided with the Dawnguard). Led by the ancient vampire Lord Harkon, the faction is comprised of pure-blooded vampires, having acquired the condition directly from the Daedric Prince Molag Bal of Skyrim. As such, they believe themselves to be higher than common vampires and willingly take them out to get rid of the competition.
However, the Volkihar Clan’s bloodline grows weaker with each new generation of vampires in Skyrim. In the Fourth Era, only some of them can mutate into their much stronger Vampire Lord form – Lord Harkon included. Because of this, the Volkihar Clan’s court only welcomes the most ancient and pure-blooded vampires into their faction. Though it does not stop Lord Harkon’s power-hungry constituents from butting heads for the throne.
In the events of the Skyrim Dawnguard DLC, Lord Harkon pays no mind to the infighting, as he’s far more interested in an ancient prophecy known as the Tyranny of the Sun. It foretells a time wherein the world is engulfed in eternal darkness. Lord Harkon grew obsessed with the idea, as he believed it would bring about an age where vampires could rule over Tamriel. Thus, he sought to hasten its arrival, only to have his plans foiled by the Last Dragonborn and his own daughter, Serana.
Movarth Piquine’s Coven
Movarth Piquine is a master vampire and the primary antagonist of the “Laid to Rest” quest in Skyrim. In the quest, the player must foil his plans of turning everyone in Morthal into human cattle. He had the help of another vampire, Alva, who was to seduce the local guards until they were all thralls under Movarth’s control.
Interestingly enough, however, Movarth was not always a scheming vampire. Before turning, he was a seasoned vampire hunter. His unfortunate tale is the subject of the in-game book “Immortal Blood.” It reveals that Movarth was once a trainer under the Fighters Guild. It also tells of his adventures, felling entire vampire clans across Tamriel before the events of Skyrim. The vampire hunter Movarth learned of the many vampire clans from an unnamed priest. It was this same priest, however, who turned the vampire slayer into a vampire himself.
The Vampires of Redwater Den
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Redwater Den houses an underground drug operation beneath an unassuming shack. It’s the only place the player can acquire Redwater Skooma in Skyrim, a more powerful brew of the original drug. This, however, is only a front, as the entire drug den is under the control of a group of vampires looking to get a constant supply of blood.
The operation is headed by a vampire named Venarus Vulpin, who traveled to Skyrim in search of the Bloodspring of Lengeir's Feast, which happened to be right under Redwater Den. Once a shrine to the Divine Arkay of The Elder Scrolls, it was desecrated sometime in the First Era by vampires, causing the spring to run blood red. Venarus believed the defiled shrine would grant vampires great powers, but this apparently came with debilitating side effects on the mind as well as addiction to the spring water. Thus, Venarus used it to draw in human cattle instead.
Should the player side with the Volkihar Clan in the Dawnguard DLC of Skyrim, they can encounter Venarus during the quest “The Bloodstone Chalice.” The titular chalice is revealed to be under the care of the Volkihar Clan. In Venarus’ research notes, the ancient artifact is said to hold the key to unlocking the spring water’s potential. The drug-dealing vampire is unable to harness its power, however, as the Last Dragonborn kills him during the events of the quest and uses the chalice themselves.
Other Notable Vampire Factions in Skyrim
There are other minor vampire factions in Skyrim that, unfortunately, don’t have as much backstory as the aforementioned ones. The first isn’t exactly a “faction,” but rather a group of special vampires – the Daughters of Coldharbour. These so-called “daughters” are women who’ve acquired vampirism in The Elder Scrolls through a ritual with Molag Bal, wherein they’re offered to the Daedric Prince. Not all survive the process, but those who do turn into powerful vampires. Serana and her mother, Valerica, are two of the most notable vampires that are part of this group.
Another vampire faction can be encountered during the “Dark Ancestor” quest. To trigger this quest, the player must speak to Dengeir of Stuhn in Falkreath. After completing a prerequisite quest, he’ll reveal that his ancestor, Vighar, has escaped from his own grave and is terrorizing locals as a powerful vampire. To complete the Skyrim quest, the player must venture to the Bloodlet Throne fort and confront the ancient Nord vampire, thus protecting Dengeir’s honor.
The last vampire faction is arguably the smallest and only non-hostile one in all of Skyrim. Just north of the town of Falkreath, the player can find an area marked Half-Moon Mill. The place belongs to a couple – Hert and Hern. And both of them are vampires. In fact, snooping in the nearby shed reveals animal meat as well as human bones, suggesting that the two prey on any passersby. However, when the Dragonborn visits them, they’ll remain friendly – that is, until the player accepts the Dark Brotherhood Skyrim quest to kill Hern.
Those were some of the most notable vampire factions in Skyrim. While some are certainly memorable, others are less so, as they’re well-hidden in the world of Skyrim and its more obscure side quests. Still, that only goes to show how vast and varied the world of The Elder Scrolls is.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.