A bard sings of two injured survivors from an entire squad of Dawnguard that were ambushed in the mountains these men swore their companions were slaughtered with dark enchantments they had never seen before. A tale unfolds about a guard who found a commoner, dressed in rags, outside of Markarth he was half mad and suffering from frostbite, but he ranted about a vampire torturing him and conducting hideous experiments before he died. In darkened inns throughout the holds people whisper of strange disappearances. The Dawnguard are trying to help push back the darkness and make Skyrim safer, but rumors are now spreading that the Volkihar are gathering strength and seek vengeance.
Travelers are frightened to leave the main roads and rarely venture out after the sun sets. Vampire attacks are on the rise across Skyrim and villagers are afraid to leave their homes at night.
