The Curse of Vampirism in the Remastered Realm
Understanding the Disease
Before you can find a cure, it’s crucial to understand the nature of the disease. In Oblivion, Vampirism isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it drastically alters gameplay. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to be bitten by a vampire, you’re likely already experiencing the initial symptoms. This starts with a condition called Porphyric Hemophilia, contracted when attacked by a vampire. Left untreated, this slowly transforms you.
The initial infection happens via contact, usually during combat. After an attack, the condition slowly manifests. If left unchecked, the affliction will progress into full-blown vampirism. This process will develop into noticeable changes within a few in-game days. Initially, you may experience mild effects. As time passes, these effects intensify, until eventually, you become a full vampire.
The fully-vamped character faces a plethora of changes. The sun becomes a mortal enemy, as daylight will bring about significant disadvantages. You’ll notice a substantial degradation of your attributes, making combat and exploration in sunlight exceptionally challenging. Furthermore, exposure to fire will become dramatically more damaging.
On the upside, there are a few benefits, though these are often outweighed by the disadvantages. For instance, you’ll achieve complete immunity to all diseases. Also, Vampires gain resistances to frost, shock, and poison.
The primary motivation for seeking a cure is the enormous inconvenience of vampire weaknesses. Playing under the sun becomes a near impossibility. Travel and quests are severely restricted, and the daily inconvenience becomes a drag. The visual alterations that come with the condition may also not be to everyone’s taste. The sun, NPC reactions, and combat challenges all point towards seeking out the cure.
Identifying the Vampire in Your Hero
Before embarking on this quest, you need to confirm that you are, indeed, afflicted. Fortunately, there are several ways to confirm your condition.
First, examine your active effects. If you see “Vampire’s Embrace,” the initial indicator, you’re already at the first stage. If you see anything mentioning a sunlight weakness, you’ve progressed further, into the more severe stages of vampirism.
Next, observe the reactions of Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Vampires are rarely welcomed with open arms. Some NPCs might exhibit fear or hostility, or simply offer rude comments. These social clues are often the first hint.
Finally, note your character’s appearance. A vampire has a pale complexion, often accompanied by glowing eyes and slightly elongated fangs. These visual changes offer undeniable confirmation.
As a crucial first step, before commencing any procedure, make sure you’ve saved your game! It is important to do so before starting the quest and at key stages. This allows you to experiment, resolve errors, or to restart if the process does not progress successfully.
Embarking on the Quest for a Remedy
The quest for a cure is not a straightforward one, so prepare for exploration and a bit of legwork. In the world of Oblivion, a remedy exists, but you’ll need to take active steps to acquire it.
Finding the Initiate: An NPC of Knowledge
Your journey begins by speaking with a key NPC. This NPC will set you on the path to a cure. However, which NPC that is depends upon the Remaster. You need to research and identify the correct NPC within your version of Oblivion. Once you have found the right NPC, this is who you will need to seek out and talk to. This NPC will then kickstart the quest, setting you on the road to restoration. The correct NPC is key to the cure.
This person will most likely provide the initial clues and initiate the quest. If the NPC is not in a given location, this may mean you need to level up or have finished another key quest. Be sure you’ve checked all criteria.
The Initiate’s Task: The Quest Unfolds
Once you’ve found the proper NPC, it’s time to learn their request. They will outline the steps necessary to rid yourself of the vampiric curse. The quest will involve a few tasks. These might involve gathering ingredients, gathering information from specific locations or interacting with other NPCs.
Ingredient Acquisition: The First Task
Now you must fulfill the initial part of the quest. Gathering materials is a common task. You’ll need to find specific ingredients, often gathered from various locations within the game world. These may involve:
- A sample of Blood, from a specific NPC: This might involve seeking out, and possibly defeating, an NPC and looting their corpse.
- Specific ingredients: This could be rare flowers, gems, or other items scattered across Tamriel.
- Finding a specific location: You’ll need to visit a specific location.
These ingredients can be located in dungeons, or bought at various stores. Some ingredients can be rare and may take some time to find, so exploring every nook and cranny of Oblivion is important.
Be mindful of the dangers in the locations. Dungeons, in particular, are dangerous, so make sure your character is adequately equipped, and at a sufficient level. The specific names and locations of these ingredients will depend on the Oblivion Remaster. Research the specifics of your version!
Revisiting the Initiate: The Next Phase
After gathering the first set of materials, it’s time to return to the NPC. They may, in turn, give you a further task, or direct you to the next NPC. If the NPC has no further tasks, this likely means you’ve done something incorrectly.
- Review previous stages: Go back through your inventory and quests. See if you’ve missed something.
- Ask around: Talk to any relevant NPCs. See if they have any information or hints to offer.
- Online forums: Check online forums or communities. Other players will often encounter the same issues.
Repeating the Process: Progressing Towards a Cure
The quest for a cure is not always a linear path. You may be required to repeat the steps, visiting locations, collecting items, and speaking with NPCs, multiple times, until you get the task completed. The key is patience.
The Consummation: Drinking the Elixir
Once you’ve completed all the steps, and have all the materials, your quest-giver will give you the final concoction. Drinking the potion will cure your vampirism, and restore your character to their former state.
A New Dawn: Post-Cure Considerations
Congratulations, you’ve successfully broken the vampiric curse! You can now return to the sunlight, without worrying about the penalty. However, you should also consider certain factors:
- Confirmation of Cure: Before you get too comfortable, check your active effects. If the “Vampire’s Embrace” has disappeared and the effects of vampirism are gone, you are confirmed cured.
- Recurring Problems: Vampirism is a permanent condition. However, if you are playing with a new Remaster, be sure to check for side effects or consequences. There may be bugs or unexpected results.
- Re-Infection: Be mindful when engaging in combat with vampires. While cured, you’re still susceptible to another bite. Avoid unnecessary risks and be aware of your surroundings.
- The Benefits of a Return to Mortality: The advantages of escaping vampirism are immense. You can enjoy the full potential of Oblivion, unrestricted by daylight and societal prejudice.
Additional Hints and Strategies
The following suggestions will help you during the quest to cure yourself.
- Fast Travel: Utilize fast travel to navigate across Tamriel.
- Leveling Up: Level up your character to better survive combat and explore dungeons.
- Save often: This is a common recommendation, but it is especially important during this quest.
These tips will help you navigate the process with increased ease.
Conclusion: Embracing the Sun Once More
Curing vampirism can be a rewarding and essential step, freeing you from the drawbacks and allowing you to explore the vast world of Oblivion without restrictions. Follow the steps outlined here. Reclaim your freedom, and bask in the sun once more.
Enjoy your adventure in the Oblivion Remaster!
