Mastering Kindred Judgment: A Complete Walkthrough for Skyrim's Dawnguard Quest

Introduction

"Kindred Judgment" is a pivotal quest in Skyrim's Dawnguard DLC, where players navigate a tense, critical situation involving vampires and their former allies. This quest is essential for unraveling the vampire lord lore and advancing your journey within the Dawnguard faction. In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive step-by-step walkthrough, ensuring you successfully complete this intricate quest.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

• Starting the Quest

  • Begin by ensuring you have completed the previous quests in the Dawnguard storyline, particularly "A New Order."
  • Speak to Isran at Fort Dawnguard to initiate "Kindred Judgment." He will inform you that it’s time to confront a potent threat from the Volkihar Clan.
  • Isran will instruct you to meet him at the ruins of a castle where the vampires are hiding.

• Journey to Castle Volkihar

  • Head northeast towards the coastline to locate Castle Volkihar, which is situated on an island in the Sea of Ghosts.
  • Be prepared for combat as you make your way to the castle. You may encounter several vampires and other hostile creatures along the path.
    • Look out for hostile trolls and draugr in the area – engage them or sneak past, depending on your playstyle.
  • Once you reach the castle, you will see a gate guarded by several vampires.

• Entering the Castle

  • Approach the gate and engage the vampires guarding the entrance. Don't hesitate to use your strongest weapons and abilities.
  • After clearing the entrance, enter the castle to find yourself in a large hall.
    • It’s a good idea to save your game here, as the next area can be quite challenging.

• Exploring the Castle

  • Explore the interior of the castle, keeping an eye out for traps and ambushes.
  • You will hear voices – those will be Dhampirs (half-vampires) and enemies – be cautious as you progress.
    • Pay attention to the layout of the castle to familiarize yourself with potential escape routes, should you need them.

• Reaching the Throne Room

  • Your destination is the throne room, where a confrontation with Lord Harkon or other key characters will unfold.
  • Follow the corridor, turning right at the first intersection towards a large open space where enemies will attack.
    • Utilize your surroundings for cover, and strategically eliminate foes while ensuring your health remains high.

• The Confrontation with Harkon

  • Upon entering the throne room, a cutscene will trigger, leading to a dialogue with Lord Harkon.
  • The choice of dialogue is crucial here. Answer wisely to sway the balance of the encounter. You may need to choose between negotiating or fighting.
    • If you opt for combat, be prepared with a strong arsenal and health potions as Harkon is a formidable opponent.
  • Successfully defeating Harkon will lead to a resolution that affects the storyline, unveiling vital lore regarding the vampire clans.

• Completing the Quest

  • After defeating or negotiating with Harkon, you will receive key rewards and additional lore details from Isran upon returning to Fort Dawnguard.
  • The quest will officially complete, and you'll unlock subsequent quests tied to character arcs within Dawnguard.
  • Collect any rewards bestowed upon you, and remember to loot the bodies in the castle for valuable items.

Conclusion

Completing the "Kindred Judgment" quest not only advance your position within the Dawnguard faction but also enriches your experience in the intricate lore of Skyrim. With careful navigation through the castle and strategic engagement in conflicts, you can unravel the twist and turns of this gripping storyline. Celebrate your victory with newfound allies and prepare for the subsequent challenges ahead!