Two things. First, is it possible to get the dwarven crossbow if you played the vampire side?

Second, how do you craft crossbow bolts? They aren't showing up in the smithing menu on any forge I go to.

You have to be Dawnguard. For every question

For the dwarven crossbow I can understand that, but just to be able to make the bolts you have to be Dawnguard? That's annoying.

The Dawnguard incentive is to use crossbows, this includes crafting, enhancing, enchanted bolts, and the dwarven versions.

Yes and no...They aren't exactly hard to get - just go wander around and you'll get attacked by plenty of dawnguard. They pretty much ALL carry bolts on their person. Or, go sneak into the DG castle and you'll find plenty. (Sneak into...rampage through...whichever. You get my point).

Makes more sense for the crossbow variations to be DG exclusive - what do vampires need crossbows for? They don't kill humans any more effectively than any other means, so you know. No real point.

Also, you can get dwarven bolts from Dwemer Spheres.

My first playthrough was with my Khajiit archer, that's all. I suppose I'll start a new archery-based character to play the dawnguard side.

The character I played the vampire side with was also an archer. Thing is, you do get a pretty sick bow at the end of the story, if you haven't done that yet.

I agree with the whole dwarven crossbow for DG only, but Vamps should be able to craft steel bolts as well, as everyone is able to craft arrows.

What he said. Also...unless I'm missing something, a dragonbone bow made with some quality smithing gear / a smithing elixir is actually still more powerful (by quite a bit) than crossbows are. Unless the special DG crossbows up their power by a good 100+ points, my bows are still on top.

Plus I have a pretty constant supply of the highest-quality arrows now, so yeah....

Mudcrabs beware.

I was rather disappointed by it, honestly. Gelebor said that its craftsmanship was unmatched, but the ebony bow I had did over 30 points more damage :/