- For similar creatures in other games, see Vampire.
- For information on the player becoming a vampire, see Vampirism (Skyrim).
Vampires are one of the enemies featured in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and its plug-in, Dawnguard. They are individuals afflicted with the disease Sanguinare Vampiris. The disease causes drastic physical and biological changes that are permanent if not cured within three days. Among these changes include a heightened vulnerability to sunlight and fire and an increased resistance to frost. All benefits and inhibitions are sustained by the consumption of blood.
Origins
Lord Harkon, the progenitor of the Volkihar Clan.
Vampires can be traced back to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal, who created the first Vampire sometime around the First Era. Lamae Beolfag was a Nedic virgin who was raped by Molag Bal. It is recorded that after the ordeal, Molag Bal shed a droplet of blood on her brow and left her to die. During the night she passed into death, but as her funeral pyre was still burning she emerged as the first pure-blood vampire.[1][2]
Pure blood
Molag Bal has since been known to confer Vampirism to other individuals directly via a ritual that granted them great power over "lesser" vampires. Once such case was an ancient Nord warlord from the First Era called Lord Harkon, who slaughtered a thousand innocents in order to gain this power. [3]
Daughters of Coldharbour
Females seeking to gain the pure-blood vampirism are required to undergo a ritual with Molag Bal. Such confluences are called Daughters of Coldharbour. A tradition developed among Molag Bal worshipping cults which dictated that females be offered to him on his summoning day. Few survive the ordeal and those who do emerge as pure-blooded vampires. Being selected as an offering was considered to be an honor that is not rejected lightly. [4]
Volkihar Clan
- Main article: Volkihar Clan
The vampires who inhabit the wilds of Skyrim are largely considered to stem from the powerful Volkihar Clan that began with Lord Harkon. These vampires are not considered to be of pure blood like Harkon and his family, as their vampirism was contracted from other lesser vampires. As such they are often looked down upon by members of Harkon's court. [5]
They are said to live under haunted, frozen lakes and only leave their dens to feed[6], however more often than not they are encountered in remote caves and ruins. It's unknown if any Volkihar Vampires possess the ability to reach through the ice of frozen lakes as described in books[6], or if it's just folklore.
In addition, the Volkihar share many of the same traits as their Cyrodilic counterparts. A few are known to be more cultured and civilized than the vampires of other provinces and as such can seamlessly blend into society. Many also prefer to feed on victims while they are asleep and unaware. One difference, however, is they do not burn in direct sunlight, rather they are just weakened by it.
In the Dawnguard add-on, Volkihar Clan become a joinable faction.
Physical appearance
An example of the facial distortions in The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard.
Vampires can be of any race but the majority of them are easily distinguishable from uninfected persons. As a result of the hemophiliac virus, the infected slowly grow a pallid complexion. Fangs protrude from their gums, allowing for easier feeding and eye color changes from the spectrum of average hues to red. Bosmer and Dunmer, which typically already possess red eyes, may pass unnoticed as vampires.
When infected, the fur of the Khajiit alters as the skin of a human or elf would. Long-toothed by nature, the incisors of the Khajiit grow exceptionally long, so that they protrude below the lip. However, their pupils become thinner and more blade-like. The scales of Argonians grows greyer as the infection worsens.
Dawnguard
With the addition of The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard, the facial features for some human Vampires was slightly re-designed to be noticeably more twisted.
The most apparent is the eyes which have changed from red to an orange-gold hue. The cheeks are prominently narrowed and folds of skin that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth are also significantly deeper. The bridge of the nose features several ridges and is shortened, much like a bat. Prominent ridges also appear around the forehead and eyes and a deep crimson line runs down from the bottom of the nose to the chin.
Stigma
A vampire being attacked by Drevis Neloren, after being caught feeding.
Due to their predatory nature, Vampires are widely viewed as evil. Citizens and guards consider Vampires open threats and attack anyone who reveals their vampiric identity on sight. This usually occurs when a vampire is discovered feeding or being harmed by sunlight.
Becoming a vampire
- Main article: Vampirism (Skyrim)
Types
Vampires come in two variants: regular and master. The specific type that is encountered is typically level-dependent, however lower leveled vampires can still be encountered at higher levels. The race and gender is radiant.
The combat style of both types doesn't vary much. Both are primarily spellcasters and one-handed melee fighters and wear either assorted pieces of armor or standard Mage Robes. They also have a unique version of Vampiric Drain spell that is much more powerful than the version available to the Dragonborn. All Vampires past level 6 also gain a bonus to Unarmed Damage.
Both types also exhibit the symptoms of stage two of Vampirism, namely:
- 50% resistance to Frost Damage
- 50% weakness to Fire Damage
- Damage from Sunlight
Dawnguard
The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard introduces two new sub-types of Vampire. The Nightlord Vampire, the highest standard vampire type and the Nightmaster Vampire, the highest boss level variety, replacing the Volkihar Master Vampire.
In addition, Vampires now wear a selection of Vampire specific clothing and armor, rather than generic mage robes. These include: Vampire Armor, Vampire Boots and Vampire Robes.
Standard vampires
Standard vampires range from level 1 to 48.
Master Vampires
Master Vampires are the highest possible level of Vampires encountered and typically serve as the boss of a Vampire lair.
The standard Master Vampires are level dependant and range from level 14 to 42, whereas the Volkihar Master Vampire is fixed at level 53 but can be encountered when the Dragonborn is level 39+.
| Name | Level | 
|
|
Stamina | Spells | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Vampire | 14 | 252 | 177 | 126 | Vampiric Drain, Invisibility, Raise Zombie | 50% resistance to Frost Damage, 50% weakness to Fire Damage, +5 Unarmed Damage |
| Master Vampire | 23 | 378 | 238 | 169 | 50% resistance to Frost Damage, 50% weakness to Fire Damage, +7 Unarmed Damage | |
| Master Vampire | 31 | 500 | 310 | 210 |
Vampiric Drain, Invisibility, Reanimate Corpse, Ice Spike, Lightning Bolt |
50% resistance to Frost Damage, 50% weakness to Fire Damage, +10 Unarmed Damage |
| Master Vampire |
42 |
669 | 414 | 257 |
Vampiric Drain, Invisibility, Ice Spike, Lightning Bolt, Revenant |
50% resistance to Frost Damage, 50% weakness to Fire Damage, +15 Unarmed Damage |
| Volkihar Master Vampire |
53 |
968 | 458 | 354 | Vampiric Drain, Invisibility, Chain Lightning, Ice Storm, Revenant | 50% resistance to Frost Damage, 50% weakness to Fire Damage, +20 Unarmed Damage |
| Nightmaster Vampire |
Vampire lairs
Redwater Spring found deep within Redwater Den
- Bloodlet Throne
- Broken Fang Cave
- Cronvangr Cave
- Fellglow Keep
- Haemar's Shame
- Mara's Eye Pond
- Moldering Ruins (requires Dawnguard)
- Movarth's Lair
- Pinemoon Cave
- Potema's Catacombs
- Redwater Den (requires Dawnguard)
- Shriekwind Bastion
Named vampires
Skyrim
- Alva - Found in Morthal. She can be found sleeping in her cellar during the day and inside Movarth's Lair, and is involved in the "quest", Laid to Rest
- Babette - A three-hundred-year-old child vampire, skilled at Alchemy. Also a member of the Dark Brotherhood.
- Helgi - A child who burned to death when a vampire named Laelette burned down her home and gave her vampiric blood.
- Hern - Owner of Half-Moon Mill and an assassination target for the Dark Brotherhood.
- Hert - Hern's wife.
- Laelette the Vampire - A friend of Alva, became infatuated with Hroggar's family, burning down their house. During the burning, she became enamored with Helgi, Hroggar's daughter, and gave her vampiric blood, although she did not survive the fire.
- Movarth - An ancient vampire found in Movarth's Lair. His pre-vampire life is detailed Immortal Blood, as the vampire hunter that was inquiring about the different vampire clans of Tamriel. Like Alva and Laelette, he is encountered during the quest, "Laid to Rest".
- Sybille Stentor - The Court Wizard found in the Blue Palace.
Dawnguard
- Feran Sadri - The castle's resident alchemist and quest giver.
- Fura Bloodmouth - A vampire warrior and Two-Handed master trainer.
- Garan Marethi - Senior member of Harkon's court and quest giver.
- Hestla - Resident castle blacksmith and arms merchant. Former Companion.
- Harkon - Ancient pure-blood vampire and lord of Castle Volkihar.
- Lokil - The leader of the vampire search party found in Dimhollow Crypt.
- Malkus - An Orc vampire holding Dexion Evicus in Forebears' Holdout.
- Minorne - An Altmer vampire in charge of operations in Ruunvald Excavation.
- Modhna - Low ranking member of Harkon's court.
- Namasur - Low ranking member of Harkon's court.
- Orthjolf - Senior member of Harkon's court vying for the throne. Rival of Vingalmo.
- Rargal Thrallmaster - Overseer of the vampire thralls and cattle kept in the castle dungeon.
- Ronthil - Apprentice to Feran Sadri, General goods merchant and Adept Speech trainer.
- Salonia Caelia - Low ranking member of Harkon's court. Lackey to Vingalmo.
- Serana - Estranged daughter of Lord Harkon, found entombed in Dimhollow Crypt.
- Stalf - Low ranking member of Harkon's court. Lackey to Orthjolf.
- Valerica - Estranged wife of Lord Harkon, found in hiding in the Soul Cairn.
- Venarus Vulpin - Ancient vampire and leader of the Redwater Den operation.
- Vingalmo - Senior member of Harkon's court vying for the throne. Rival of Orthjolf.
References
- ↑ Opusculus Lamae Bal
- ↑ Vampires of Vvardenfell, Book II
- ↑ Dialogue with Harkon
- ↑ Dialogue with Valerica
- ↑ Dialogue with Garan Marethi, Vingalmo and Fura Bloodmouth
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Immortal Blood
| Creatures and Enemies (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) | |
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| Animals | |
| Creatures | |
| Daedra | |
| Undead | |
| Animunculi | |
| Dragons | |