Immersive Fort Dawnguard (2024)

Installation

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The mod comes with an automated installer and scripted MCM maintenance system, and you can install at any point during the Dawnguard quest-line.

Always back-up your current save before [un]installing or updatingany mod!

2: If you are a new user and have any items in Fort Dawngaurd, remove them before installing.

3. Ensure all required files are installed and active. If you don't like the SkyUI menus you can use this mod, which reverts them to vanilla but lets you keep the MCM menu.

4. Install the latest version of the mod using Mod Organizer or equivalent.

5. Run LOOTor equivalent.

6 (optional). Generate distant terrain using TES5LODGen (simple) or DynDoLOD (customizable).

7. Load up and enjoy!

Compatibility

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This mod is compatible with, but not dependent on, the following mods* by default or by virtue of a compatibility patch:

All re-textures of Fort Dawnguard and Dawnguard items.
Cutting Room Floor
Dawnguard Arsenal
DynDOLOD
ELnFX
Interesting NPCs
Inconsequential NPCsLegacy of the Dragonborn
Live Another Life
Realistic Lighting Overhaul
Relighting Skyrim
Skyrim Project Optimization
Skyrim Wayshrines (SWIFT)

The following mods are compatible but Immersive Fort Dawnguard MUST be below them in your load order:

Blacksmith Forge Water Fix
Castle Volkihar Rebuilt
Embers HDImmersive Dawnguard Dayspring Pass
Immersive Patrols
Realistic Water 2

*That a mod is not on these lists is no reason to think it is incompatible - back up your save, give it a try and let me know if it works with differentmods or not. Most conflicts can be resolved by tweaking load order (move the mod whose changes you want most below the conflicting mod).

Features

Overview

Fort Dawnguard is a bit of a blank slate in vanilla. Immersive Fort Dawnguard is an aesthetic overhaul - adding lots of interesting new stuff while staying true to the original feel.

The

fort exterior now includes extra fortifications, a main gate, alchemy tower, farming area and greenhouses. The interior features a new chapel, library, bathhouse and prison.As you progress through the quest-line, Fort Dawnguard will gradually be cleaned up and restored until its backto its original glory.Lots of modders resources have been used to enrich the fort. The layout of the interior has also been edited to more closely match the exterior. All cells have transparent windows so you can see the sky and objects from inside.

Just-in-time (JIT)lighting has been introduced to all suitable cells, improving performance and eliminating light flickering. Occlusion planes and roombounds have been added to improve interior performance.

A new area calledDayspring Farm will be built near the lake towards the end of the quest-line to house the refugees and provide food for the Dawnguard.Characters have more varied daily routines and interact with the new features and areas.

ESPs have been cleaned using automatic and manualxEditcleaning.

Player bedroomMore plaques, mannequins, racks, chests and bookshelves have been added to make the bedroom more useful. The full bedroom only becomes available once the quest-line is complete.

New Areas - InteriorThe fort now includes a Chapel of Stendarr where some characters worship. The chapel is fully integrated into the main fort.

According to Isran, the fort was originally built as a prison for the son of the Jarl of Riften after he became a vampire. However, there is no evidence of this in vanilla. Immersive Fort Dawnguard fleshes out this backstory with the Prince's prison area.The torture chamber which was located in Isran's room has been moved next to the prison area.

New Areas - Towers

The fort's two towers are empty in vanilla. Immersive Fort Dawnguard converts one into a library tower and one into a bath house.

The library tower has several floors and contains an enchanting table and a staff enchanter. The staff enchanter will become available once you unlock the one in Tel Mithryn.

Once Fort Dawnguard is operational, the pool in the bath tower can be filled and emptied by pulling different levers.

New Areas - Exterior

The roof of the fort is pretty much empty in vanilla. Immersive Fort Dawnguard adds two greenhouses for growing food and alchemical ingredients.

A new alchemy tower is also added, including an alchemy table and sun room. The greenhouses and tower are unlocked and restored as you progressthrough the quest-line.

Playing the vampire line?Immersive Fort Dawnguard adds more troops and trolls for a bloodier battle during the quest Destroy The Dawnguard. Fort Dawnguard will still be restored as you play the vampire line, but it will return to a state of partial disrepair once the Dawnguard are destroyed. However, crafting and enchantingareas will still be usableand the player bedroom will become available if you wish to inhabit the fort as a vampire!