Who are the Dawnguard?

"Bad people who don't like vampires."

Azura's Chastity Belt.

[/speculation]

Vampire Hunters. Other than that, we aren't sure. They may be connected to the Order of the Virtuous Blood from Oblivion, though. Other speculation has pinned them as Meridia worshipers.

Wouldn't it be amusing after all the talk about how boring Stendarr is, that they'll turn out to be a branch of the Vigilants?

I don't even get why we need a completely new organization called the Dawnguard. The Vigilants of Stendarr can easily fill in this role and were a really cool concept in Skyrim that was completely ignored.

"No Boethiah, I didn't slaughter all your followers to get your attention. I did it for the Vigilants and also because I think you're a horrible, horrible thing."

Such a missed opportunity.

The problem with using the Vigilants, is that "Vigilants of Stendarr" isn't a very interesting title. "Vigil", would sound cool, but isn't really connected to the DLC. "Dawnguard" sounds cool, and is connected to the DLC in question, and is therefore easily marketable.

Oh my god, I just defended the PR department. Somebody shoot me now.

I prefer Dawnguard than Stendarr Vigilants, Dawnguard is more Catchy!!!

The Dawnguard are actually psychotic Magnus worshippers who seek to undo the barrier between Mundus and Aetherius and tear the Arena asunder in a wave of raw energy too powerful for Nirn to withstand.

The Dawnguard are interplanar Scroll collectors. The vampires have crossed them.

I would actually like it if they were a branch of the vos. Could be called dawngiard BC of the actual place they stationed or that their sole purpose is defending and tracking down the cult of vampires. Like their a branch specifically to watch and defend against to them a known threat. Bit eh.

Servants of Meridia!

ALL SERVE THE SUN-DAUGHTER IN LIFE AND DEATH! HOW YOU ASK?!

BY DESTROYING ALL THE UNDEAD!

That's what I think they are.

They could possibly be related to the hinted upon vampire hunter groups mentioned in morrowind.