[Damian Parsons]

Post here your ideas, speculation, hopes for Skyrim DLC and discussion of confirmed information.

From the Bethblog:

http://cdnstatic.gamesas.com/bethblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Dawnguard.jpg

Quote

Coming this summer to Xbox 360. More details at E3.

Note that it is a "timed exclusive," which means it will release first on Xbox360 and soon thereafter on PS3 and PC.

Some details of existing quests might be related to discussion of DLC, so please remember to use spoiler tags when appropriate.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1325612-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1329169-unofficial-dlc-discussion-spoilers-thread-2/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1338202-unofficial-dlc-discussion-spoilers-thread-3
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1348297-unofficial-dlc-discussion-possible-spoilers-thread-4/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1364960-unofficial-dlc-discussion-possible-spoilers-thread-5/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1367158-unofficial-dlc-discussion-possible-spoilers-thread-6/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1367439-unofficial-dlc-discussion-thread-7/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1331322-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-8/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1369662-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-9/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370019-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-10/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370560-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-11/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370638-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-12/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370752-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-13/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370766-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-14/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370778-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-15/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370797-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-16/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370808-dawnguard-and-future-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-17/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370827-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-18/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370856-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-19/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370894-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-20/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370930-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-21/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370998-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-22/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1371090-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-23/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1371091-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-24/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1371334-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-25/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1371845-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-26/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1372881-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-27/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1373537-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-28/

[Sophh]

From the last thread.

I'm thinking we may have a dlc that takes us to Stros M'kai in Hammerfell. It is mentioned a few times in the game. Bandit's sometimes sing a song about it. And Astrid from the DB says that the Janis Root grows there. Stros M'kai has more Dwemer Ruins and underground catacombs to explore. And the Necromancer's Tower. And an island off the coast known as The Spine. And of course there is N'Gasta island where the Sload Necromancer is from. So we may see Sload's make a return if we do go to Stros M'kai. It is surrounded by the Ogres Tooth Mountains. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Stros_M%27Kai

The Ogres Tooth Mountains are supposedly barren and empty except for those wishing to hide. I think we may see some Thieve's Guild or Dark Brotherhood growth their if that's the case in the 4th Era. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Ogres_Tooth_Mountains

With the small settlements, the one major town and the Nomadic tribes, the dlc would likely be the size of Point Lookout.

[Claire]

I hope they add some more wildlife into Skyrim. Considering that it has a nordic/sub-arctic climate, I can see following animals appear:

Moose
Boar
Lynx (Bobcat)
Pheasants (there already is pheasant meat, but no living ones...)
Tundra Wolf (a large subspecies of gray wolves, lives in Northern Scandinavia and Russia)
Wolverines
Badgers (Eurasian badgers)
Common Mice
and a lot more.

Making some updates with the wildlife system could also make it more "realistic" and contribute to a more impressive experience. For example, in Skyrim now, you can almost run faster than an elk, and a deer doesn't really react when you stand next to it. In real life, these animals are all very timid, and if the animals in Skyrim was more timid (I believe) that the sight of an animal would feel more special.

I would also like to see packs of animals. For example, wolves are known for hunting in packs, and I believe that if the wolves of Skyrim was hunting/attacking in (greater) packs, I believe that the wolves would also become a much more interesting enemy. It would also be nice if a pack of wolves occasionally attacked some villages or smaller societies (like Shore's Stone). I also believe that wolves need to be more difficult by the way, since wolves used to be truly feared in the old times, and they deserve more respect (they should at least be more dangerous than a bandit!)

Another type of animal I would like to see living with it's own kind are reindeer. These animals live in huge herds, and seeing such a herd in the tundra of Skyrim would be awesome. I know it's probably too much to ask, but it would be fantastic if it was possible.


Maybe hunting could be improved as well. If footprints in the snow (like in the gamejam video) was added, then it could be possible to track animals in the snow (and it would be worth it if they were more timid). Maybe it would be possible to add some way to trace animals without snow as well by e.g. finding traces in the mud/leaves, finding plants that have been eaten, etc. If they added season change like in the gamejam video, then you would be able to get a more varied hunt and you would be able to use the season difference (e.g. snow in the winter) in your advantage.

A reason to hunt could maybe be if the value of pelts and meat where improved, and different pelts/meat would have different properties (e.g. different pelts used in armors would make the armor look different, different pelts made different kinds of leather, etc.). For example, lynx are extremely rare to see in the wild (so rare that you could have one in your local forest without ever seeing it in your entire life), and therefore it's pelt could be worth a lot.

It would also be nice if they added some different types of dogs that could maybe have different strengths/weaknesses and being able to help you during a hunt. Maybe being able to buy a camp kit (like in Red Dead Redemption) to make your own camp could add to the epic feeling of being on a hunt.

When taking the pelt of an animal, it would be cool if the pelt on the animal disappeared on the dead body (again, like Red Dead Redemption), and maybe we could have a nice little animation when we remove the pelt.

Being able to use a fishing rod to fish, and maybe follow the Riften Fishery on a fishing trip could be nice as well.

Cats would also be a nice addition to the farms of Skyrim


Finally, I would like to propose an idea of mine that i always wanted in a game, but is probably too much to ask for:

Being able to tame animals. I don't mean it in a way like "animals won't attack you" or "animals will aid you in combat", I mean that you would able to seek up an animal, tame it, and then being able to name it and use it as an ally/follower. The animal would follow you until you either released it into the wild or sent it back to your home (or to the stables if it's a bigger animal like a bear or elk). Smaller animals like Wolves would be able to follow you inside dungeons and would basically work as a dog, but you would be able to make it live in your house (unlike dogs who must be told to wait in your home). Bigger animals however would only follow you in the open land, but could be mounted.

Maybe taming animals could be a new skill, where e.g. skeevers are easy to tame, and mounting is a higher level perk.


Maybe I'm asking for too much, maybe what I said contradicts the lore or something that I don't know about, but still: if they added something of this I would be extremely glad.

[Bryanna Vacchiano]

_{Would be cool if they did bring back something or someone famous from oblivion like Dawnfang or maybe a Mannimarco relative.}

[Nicole M]

I put here, again, a(n expanded) compilation of the speculation that has been made so far by me and others. I know I am biased by my own opinions, so if I forget something, please tell it.

All the official, confirmed information we have about the first DLC is the image on Bethblog and its name : Dawnguard.

Besides, http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1331322-unofficial-skyrim-dlc-discussion-thread-8/page__st__150__p__20684799#entry20684799 from the last patch features a Snow Elf Prince, vampire feeding animations, crossbows and a mysterious "RF", suggesting that all will appear in the first DLC. Maybe a "Riekling Follower" or a "Restored Falmer"? But maybe the Devs have intentionally let those data leak in order to mislead us, and give us a real surprise?

And finally, we all saw the content from the Game Jam.

Now, let's see what the theories built so far are.

1. Molag Bal, Azura, the Twin Lamps.

Several threads ago, http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1371845-dawnguard-and-future-dlc-discussion-thread-26/page__view__findpost__p__20743880 that the connection between Falmers and vampires could be Molag Bal. Molag Bal created the first vampire, Lamae Beolfag, the Blood-Matron. Moreover, Molag Bal is the Prince of Domination and Enslavement of the Mortals. Therefore, he might be involved in the narcotic enslavement of the Falmers by the Dwemers and its perpetuation even after the disappearance of the Deep Ones.

Azura's followers have already fought against vampires in the past, the specific example of Dratik appeared in Oblivion. Moreover, Azura is the Prince of Dusk and Dawn. Thus, Dawnguard could be the name of a faction of her worshippers, who struggles against Molag Bal. Let's expand a little railtracer's ideas...

Alas, Moonshadow is said to be so beautiful that it turns the ones who visit it blind or mad. Well. Maybe the Dovahkiin's glowing eyes are in fact an outer sign of the change which happened after his coming to Moonshadow? Maybe other people visited it in the past, and came back with such eyes, and were then wrongly considered blind? Or maybe those eyes are a blessing from Azura, allowing its wielder to walk into Moonshadow without harm?

The natural opponents of the Prince of Enslavement seem to be the Twin Lamps encountered in Morrowind. Now, would it be possible that its name originate in such a blessing of Azura, that the founder of this order had two glowing eyes, and was seen by his or her followers as the wielder of "Twin Lamps"? Could the Twin Lamps of Morrowind be actually a subfaction of a larger Dawnguard?

So a new hero, blessed by the "Twin Lamps", could have to free the Falmer from their perpetuated enslavement, restore them, and then fight against the worshippers of Bal's creature, Lamae Beolfag.

(Besides, if Lamae is featured in a DLC, or her followers, I hope we'll also meet the Shrieking Winds.)

2. An insular DLC.

Since the Snow Prince sepulchar was located in Solstheim, and since the East Empire Company is featured in Skyrim, one could consider that we'll have to go back there.

Besides, the flying vampires featured in the DLC don't look like the Volkhiars described in the lore, who passwall through the ice of frozen haunted lakes. They could arise from another strain of porphyric hemophilia. So where would another clan of Vampire, possibly worshipping Lamae Beolfag, be located? Maybe on the island of Olenveld, which was Talos' personal graveyard. (Also, if Olenveld is featured, I hope we'll find Stalhrim in this necropolis)

Finally, some Falmers could have fled to Roscrea instead of seeking shelter by the Dwemers, and they could be lead by their new Prince and claim their lands back, making Roscrea a possible location for the DLC? Moreover, the existence of Roscrea is acknowledged, but nothing is known about it, so the Devs would be entirely free to build it the way they want.

If the three islands are featured, one could also hope to visit the Castles of Glass and Coral of the Dreughs, in the Sea of Ghosts, which would please the many ones who want to visit places drastically different from Skyrim.

3. Meridia.

Another hypothesis is that the DLC would be focused on Meridia. Arguments in that direction is that Meridia's blade is called Dawnbreaker, that it shines like the Dovahkiin's eyes, and that among the servants of Meridia are the Aurorans. The English meaning of the latin word "Aurora" is "Dawn".

4. The Dream of the Thalmor.

Since the Thalmor wants to create a new Dawn Era, it has also been hypothetized that the DLC could revolve around the Thalmor. Maybe as a continuation of the Civil War.

5. The Guardians of Dawnstar.

Dawnstar was once besieged by the Ice Tribe, who were possibly Falmers. Maybe the Dawnguard is some faction created to prevent it from happening again?

6. The Dawn is what rises from the East.

Maybe the Dawn is a metaphor for "something rising from the East"? Then either from Morrowind or Akavir?

We know that the Tsaesci already invaded Tamriel, and that some Akaviri magic involves dusk and dawn, as is proven by the blade called Dawnfang.

Besides, the Kamal already tried to invade Morrowind. Maybe Rieklings and Grahls are refugees of the disaster of Vvardenfell? Also, one could think that the Ice Tribes weren't Falmers but came from Kamal? After all, a Gehenoth looks more like a Snow Demon than like a Snow Elf, and the existence of an Ice Tribe Haven suggest that the Ice Tribes came from the seas. Also, some Snow Elves could have fled to Kamal rather than seeking help from the Dwemers. Now, they could come back and claim their old lands?

7. Werebears.

The Dovahkiin of this new picture looks more tired than before, and has more facial hair. This, and the glowing eyes suggests that he could be ill, or cursed, or something between the two. We saw from the Game Jam video that the Devs have thought to introduce werebears, and indeed, werebears are mentioned in the lore, and the game already features the Canis Root which is said to be feared by werebears. Maybe the Dovahkiin's facial hair is growing and his eyes are glowing because he is about to be transformed into a werebear?

8. Nirnroot.

We know that the ancient Nirnroot had a yellow glow. Does it have anything to do with the Dovahkiin's glowing eyes?

9. Dawn's Beauty

Tamriel means "Dawn's beauty" So, could the DLC feature a new threat to the whole of Tamriel?

10. Mythic Dawn.

Dawnguard could have something to do with the Mythic Dawn. There is a museum of the Mythic Dawn in Dawnstar.

11. Walk always in the Light -- Vigilantes of Stendarr

The Dawn might be related to the light the Vigilantes of Stendarr want to bring wherever the brood of Oblivion hides. Maybe the DLC would be about a fight between the Vigilantes and the Daedric Princes who are especially related to darkness, namely Namira and Nocturnal? Other opponents of Namira include the followers of Ebonarm and the Priests of Arkay.

12. The Dawn is what Ends the Night -- Dawn Magicks

The Thalmor claimed they restored the Moons using Dawn Magicks. Maybe we'll have some explaination about the Void Nights? Maybe we'll go either to Anequina or Pelletine? Maybe we'll learn more about Dawn Magicks?

13. The Dawn is what repels the Shadows

If the Dawn is in fact what repels the Shadows, then we'll perhaps have to fight against a Shadowmage? Maybe we'll discover more about http://uesp.net/wiki/Shadowkey:Scroll_of_Shadow? After all, the last Umbra' Keth lived in the Crypt of Hearts, an entrance of which was located in Skyrim. Maybe there is a link between Shadow Magic and Umbra, by the way? Maybe Shadow Magic is related to Dawn Magicks?

14. Pelinal, Morihaus.

We know that Morihaus was "the Breath of Kyne" and was associated to the thu'ums. We know that Pelinal came from the future, that he drank the blood of his ennemies in victory ("Vampire feeding animations"...), that his hand was shining (as the Dovahkiin's eyes?) and that he missed the Blessing of Talos. So, could the Dovahkiin become Pelinal? Could he miss Talos' blessing due to the Thalmor's prohibition?


So, feel free to add the ones I have forgotten, as well as new ones, and new suggestions.

[des lynam]

Oh, I have also a peculiar wish. Since Morrowind, I would love to meet http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_36_Lessons_of_Vivec. I wish that we'll meet them in some DLC, or some future game. So you think it would be possible?

I would love to help Kh-Utta regain his former glory, or to prevent him from regaining it, or to help Fa-Nuit-Hen to secede from Mehrunes Dagon's realm, and become a Prince on his own, not "merely" a Demiprince. I've always thought those named Daedra could be involved in amazing and totally weird quests and stories.

[Blaine]

since there are 29 topics on this speculation... i assume people speculated on the glowing eyes in the dawnguard image by now, right?

were there any interesting ideas on that? i'd rather not read 28 other threads just to find out something that might not even provide any decent ideas.

[Céline Rémy]

since there are 29 topics on this speculation... i assume people speculated on the glowing eyes in the dawnguard image by now, right?

were there any interesting ideas on that? i'd rather not read 28 other threads just to find out something that might not even provide any decent ideas.

Well people talked about Vampires,Werewolves And your character mantling a god? Well i dont remember what they/we talked about much x) Was a while ago

[Jack Moves]

Well people talked about Vampires,Werewolves And your character mantling a god? Well i dont remember what they/we talked about much x) Was a while ago

Don't forget werebears and my idea that the glowing eyes could account for the name of the Twin Lamps, explained in the point 1. of the huge, too long, indigest, too verbose, massive list above

[dell]

Don't forget werebears and my idea that the glowing eyes could account for the name of the Twin Lamps, explained in the point 1. of the huge, too long, indigest, too verbose, massive list above

Hehe yeah Your lists are amazing.. Hope someone from bethesda reads them

[tiffany Royal]

the twin lamps? that organization from morrowind that was working to free the slaves?

think that was their name... right?

i dont see why the glowing eyes would have anything to do with vampires or werewolves, since skyrim already has those... also, it'd be a little weird for the dovahkiin to take the mantle of a god, since it would make no sense, for several reasons.

[David John Hunter]

Don't forget werebears and my idea that the glowing eyes could account for the name of the Twin Lamps, explained in the point 1. of the huge, too long, indigest, too verbose, massive list above

Your post is great, well written and informative, I'd be mildly surprised if Dawnguard is nothing like any of those ideas

[Ysabelle]

the twin lamps? that organization from morrowind that was working to free the slaves?

think that was their name... right?

Yes, exactly this one. As railtracer noticed three threads ago, Molag Bal could be the key link between vampires and Falmers, both of which appear in the data leaked from the last update. Molag Bal being the Prince of Enslavement of Mortals, the Twin Lamps could appear as his natural opponents. Starting from this point, and looking at the picture, I thought that the glowing eyes looked like... well, twin lamps, and tried (and struggled a little) to find a possible link between them and Morrowind's faction. But I must concede that all this is perhaps very far-fetched, and at the very least totally speculative and hypothetic.

[Sarah Kim]

Still no news huh?
I really think the glowing eyes could be Falmer related. We had snow elf animations in a patch and when I used the console to get a better look at the Irkngthand statue just now for my screenshots collection. (Don't ask. I just like to take screenshots of my character in cool locations), I noticed that the eye doesn't just glow, it even seems to change colour at intervals. It's pale purple and then glows bright red. There's only one eye unfortunately, since one is apparently missing by default, but still, the glow is impossible to miss.
I just wish I could move...this won't be a good screenshot.

[lucile davignon]

I know we are getting details at E3 next month, but has anyone heard any rumors or small bits of news since the reveal?

[luke trodden]

since there are 29 topics on this speculation... i assume people speculated on the glowing eyes in the dawnguard image by now, right?

were there any interesting ideas on that? i'd rather not read 28 other threads just to find out something that might not even provide any decent ideas.

Err, actually, the first 16 existed before Dawnguard's announcement, and contained much more suggestions than speculation...

I hope they add some more wildlife into Skyrim. Considering that it has a nordic/sub-arctic climate, [...]

Making some updates with the wildlife system could also make it more "realistic" and contribute to a more impressive experience. For example, in Skyrim now, you can almost run faster than an elk, and a deer doesn't really react when you stand next to it. In real life, these animals are all very timid, and if the animals in Skyrim was more timid (I believe) that the sight of an animal would feel more special.
[...]
Maybe I'm asking for too much, maybe what I said contradicts the lore or something that I don't know about, but still: if they added something of this I would be extremely glad.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Skyrim's ecology definitely needs improvement. I don't think any of these contradicts the lore. For example, there is a Wolverine Hall in Morrowind, so there must be wolverines somewhere in Tamriel. I would even add to your nice list that they need to add pine thrush, rock warblers (since we find eggs of them), snakes (since they are mentioned in Skyrim's lore -- look for example at the tale of Fjori and Holgeir), snow hawks (I suppose the Fort got its name from somewhere), black ironwood trees (again, mentioned in lore), apple trees (where do all those apples come from?), electric slaughterfish (mentioned in Morrowind by Briring in the Skyrim Mission of Ebonheart), snow wolves (able to cast spells, and present in Arena) and some underwater wildlife (including whales!).

I'd personnally also love to see narwhals, whooly rhinos and some megatherium-like creatures (giant ground sloths).

Besides, as you talk about wolves, the Nords are supposed to have some reverence for wolves due to http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Sai's story. However, I found no mention of this so far in the game. I wish the updates will fix it...

[Albert Wesker]

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Skyrim's ecology definitely needs improvement. I don't think any of these contradicts the lore. For example, there is a Wolverine Hall in Morrowind, so there must be wolverines somewhere in Tamriel. I would even add to your nice list that they need to add pine thrush, rock warblers (since we find eggs of them), snakes (since they are mentioned in Skyrim's lore -- look for example at the tale of Fjori and Holgeir), snow hawks (I suppose the Fort got its name from somewhere), black ironwood trees (again, mentioned in lore), apple trees (where do all those apples come from?), electric slaughterfish (mentioned in Morrowind by Briring in the Skyrim Mission of Ebonheart), snow wolves (able to cast spells, and present in Arena) and some underwater wildlife (including whales!).

I'd personnally also love to see narwhals, whooly rhinos and some megatherium-like creatures (giant ground sloths).

Besides, as you talk about wolves, the Nords are supposed to have some reverence for wolves due to http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Sai's story. However, I found no mention of this so far in the game. I wish the updates will fix it...

All of those things would be amazing! Especially the whale and the other sea creatures, they could really make the sea at the north coast a lot more interesting...

[Mackenzie]

I can't wait until this is released on XBox and they start posting all kinds of spoilers. I'll have to take a month off from the forums so I don't ruin the game for myself. Way to split your player base, Bethesda!

[Eduardo Rosas]

I can't wait until this is released on XBox and they start posting all kinds of spoilers. I'll have to take a month off from the forums so I don't ruin the game for myself. Way to split your player base, Bethesda!

It's been done since Fallout 3 or before. Deal with it.

[Kevan Olson]

I can't wait until this is released on XBox and they start posting all kinds of spoilers. I'll have to take a month off from the forums so I don't ruin the game for myself. Way to split your player base, Bethesda!

This isn't the first time it is happening...

[Juan Cerda]

All of those things would be amazing! Especially the whale and the other sea creatures, they could really make the sea at the north coast a lot more interesting...

Want to know what would make the see much more interesting? http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_36_Lessons_of_Vivec#Sermon_One and http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_36_Lessons_of_Vivec#Sermon_Thirty-Six. I want to visit the Dreughs' Castles since I heard about them.

[Monika Krzyzak]

As I think about it, I believe we have to take it for granted that the expansion will NOT - repeat, NOT - be within the province of Skyrim, unless it's a Blackreach kind of thing.

There's simply no room within skyrim to add new terrain features and a large collection of dungeons, crypts, caves and ruins. The province is stuffed to the brink as it is.

[Bethany Watkin]

As I think about it, I believe we have to take it for granted that the expansion will NOT - repeat, NOT - be within the province of Skyrim, unless it's a Blackreach kind of thing.

There's simply no room within skyrim to add new terrain features and a large collection of dungeons, crypts, caves and ruins. The province is stuffed to the brink as it is.

Unless they change the scale of it (which would probably be very difficult, I suppose)

[Tom]

I am really skeptical about Dawnguard, Skyrim is a mess with bugs will Dawnguard farther muck it up or will it have more polish than the main game. Hopefully with it we get some decent patches.

[Andrew Perry]

Spears and more conjurations please.