On May 1st, we received an official announcement from Bethesda about a new Skyrim DLC. But instead of footage, a list of new features and other awesome schtuff, all they gave us was a cryptic image of the Dovahkiin and a title: “Dawnguard.”

Instead of you having to do work* trying to figure out what it all means, now it’s time for DeathPDC to waste hours of his life analyzing the hell out of it.

May 1st, 2012. Bethesda confirms a Skyrim DLC titled Dawnguard. Everyone expected big answers and news.

We walked away with more and bigger questions. What does Dawnguard mean? Why does the Dragonborn have freaky glowing eyes? Why does he have Arrows of some sort on his back? Why am I asking you these questions?

The truth is, nobody knows. Lucky for us, after a leak of Skyrim’s latest patch code, we learned two things: they added a “Snow Prince,” and crossbows. Everything else remains all hush hush until E3. After reading and delving into Tamriel lore for days (which incidentally occupied the space of around 30 minutes), I compiled what might be Bethesda’s plans for Dawnguard.

1. The Snow Prince was killed long ago. But unlike the other snow elves, he received a proper burial at the Jolgeirr Barrow on the island of Solstheim. So he was the only one buried, while most of the other snow elves were burned.

2. The Falmer, or those monster the snow elves became, recently been attacking the surface world more than they used to. As they usually dwell underground in Dwemer structures and in Blackreach, their new boldness is unusual. Note that because of their blindness, their other senses became more acute to compensate. Maybe they sense something happening above ground that the other races cannot.

3. Vampirism grants immortality to those who contract it. The vampire child Babette in the Dark Brotherhood is a good example.

4. Dawnguard. Guarding the dawn? Vampires can’t be out in the sun, and dawn signals the return of the sun. Maybe we’ll be hunting down vampires. The question is where.

5. Morrowind. Why Morrowind? Well, why not, dammit!? The island of Solstheim lies to the east of Skyrim and north of Morrowind. Then there’s the question of why there’s an open gate to Morrowind that says “You cannot go this way” whenever you try to go through it. And why is the space beyond very much rendered? And what’s to stop people from swimming from Solstheim to Morrowind?

6. Crossbows are generally used to kill vampires. Or atleast, that’s what I hear nowadays. I always figured it was still garlic and a wooden stake. Even so, it will make a great edition to the game. Hopefully, we will be able to craft bolts and arrows as well. We may also see elemental arrows, such as fire and water arrows.

7. If you speak to many Dark Elves, they speak of wanting to return to their home of Morrowind, but fear the Thalmor. Maybe the Thalmor have something to do with resurrecting the Snow Prince. Could we possibly see an uprising against and the destruction of the Thalmor?

8. But why vampires? The Snow Elves have been wiped out for many eras, and almost all of their dead bodies were burned. Maybe the a few Snow Elves took refuge in the Prince’s tomb or evaded the Dwemer’s poisonous mushrooms. Maybe it’s because vampires live forever. Maybe the Thalmor give the Snow Prince Vampirism, and resurrects the rest of the snow elves, and gives them the disease. Maybe they were infected to begin with.

9. Why Solstheim? It has the same geography as Skyrim, it’s dominated by the Nords, who are the main race of men on Skyrim. It makes sense to go there. The Snow Prince is buried there, after all.

10. We’ll probably be seeing the addition of spears as well. Why? The Snow Prince has one. And if anyone remembers Bloodmoon, a Morrowind DLC, they’d know Jolgeirr Barrow contained the Snow Prince’s spear.

11. We don’t know whether or not dragon mounts are coming. It would probably cause issues, like flying into towns that have load times so they can render. Then there’s the world beyond Skyrim’s mountain ranges. Players would be able to catch a glimpse of everything outside of the boundaries, and the game doesn’t have render data for the other provinces. Bethesda doesn’t want a player to feel like he’s on a full and active continent, not one that drops off into an abyss as soon as you go beyond its borders.

So what am I getting at, and and why am I still talking in questions? Here’s everything I asked and stated above in a nutshell:

The Snow Prince was killed many years ago and buried on the island of Solstheim. This island, known as a source of many diseases,lycanthropy and vampirism just to name two. Not long after, the remaining snow elves retreated into the darkest corners of Blackreach, where the Dwemer tortured and opisoned them into Falmer. Maybe a few of them were able to retreat elsewhere, and stay safe from the dwarves. These snow elves ran under the radar for centuries.With the 4th Era upon us, these Snow Elves (or their predecessors) contracted vampirism, so they couldn’t die. Now, with the help of the Thalmor, they ressurected the Snow Prince and give him vampirism. The Falmer, the descendants of the snow elves not lucky enough to escape, sense their old master’s will. They attack the surface world, seeking vengeance on the men that drove them to near extinction. Did I mention that the Prince is going to do it with a spear?**

All this is all pure speculation based off of a few hours of research. I may be completely wrong, half-right, or I might be sued by Bethesda for leaking DLC details (Or writing a story line better than they can).What are your thoughts? What do the people think?

Xiant

* ‘Cause who does work these days anyway?