Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion
Few experiences in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion rival the intoxicating power of becoming a Vampire. The enhanced strength, speed, and potent magical abilities offer a compelling alternative to the life of a mere mortal. Imagine stalking through the night, a predator among sheep, your thirst driving you forward. Yet, this power comes at a price. The burning agony of sunlight, the whispered fears of townsfolk, and the grotesque transformations can quickly turn the dream of immortality into a living nightmare. If you find yourself craving the sun more than blood, then this guide is for you. We’ll provide a comprehensive walkthrough on how to conquer your affliction and finally obtain an Oblivion vampirism cure. This will primarily focus on the quest “Cure for Vampirism” and how to get started in Skingrad.
This guide will walk you through every step of the “Cure for Vampirism” quest, from accepting it to performing the ritual. The quest is your only avenue toward ending your transformation, so knowing every detail is vital. Let’s begin.
Before diving into the cure, it’s essential to understand how Vampirism works in Oblivion. You don’t simply wake up one morning with fangs and an insatiable thirst. The initial infection stems from a disease called Porphyric Hemophilia. This disease is contracted by engaging in combat with vampires. While vampires can be found in various locations across Cyrodiil, they often lurk in caves and ancient ruins, particularly those marked on your map as Vampire Dungeons. Always be careful exploring these areas. While becoming a vampire can be rewarding, you can easily die if you are not adequately prepared.
The disease progresses over three in-game days. If left untreated, Porphyric Hemophilia will transform you into a full-fledged Vampire. Curing Porphyric Hemophilia is simple; just use a Cure Disease potion or visit a chapel and activate the shrine.
Once you become a vampire, you will gradually begin to develop the traits that many are interested in. Your character will gradually become stronger as they progress from stage one to four. These stages can give you unique passive effects that will significantly alter your gameplay.
There are four stages of Vampirism, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. These stages are determined by how long it has been since you last fed on a sleeping victim. As you go longer without feeding, you gain new abilities and become stronger. At the same time, your weaknesses become more pronounced.
At early stages, you receive bonuses to Strength, Speed, and other attributes. You gain resistances to diseases and paralysis and acquire new magical abilities, such as Vampiric Drain (siphoning health from others) and Chameleon (partial invisibility). However, you also become vulnerable to sunlight, taking damage when exposed to it. You also may begin to have issues with guards and other townspeople who are naturally wary of vampires.
As you progress to later stages, your bonuses increase, but so does your weakness to sunlight. At the final stage, NPCs will often attack you on sight, making it difficult to interact with the world. Your appearance also changes dramatically, with sunken eyes, pale skin, and visible fangs, further contributing to the negative reactions from others.
Ultimately, many players seek a cure for Vampirism because of the severe drawbacks. The constant need to avoid sunlight can be incredibly restrictive. The negative reactions from NPCs can severely limit your ability to complete quests, purchase items, or simply navigate cities. For some, the physical transformation is also undesirable. If these reasons resonate with you, the “Cure for Vampirism” quest is your only viable solution.
Initiating the Cure for Vampirism Quest
The quest to find an Oblivion vampirism cure begins in the city of Skingrad, located in the West Weald region of Cyrodiil. Your key to beginning the quest is Count Janus Hassildor, the ruler of Skingrad. The Count is reclusive, to say the least. He is rarely seen and shrouded in mystery.
To begin your quest, ask innkeepers or guards about any rumors. They should provide you with the rumor that Count Hassildor is doing research on vampires, and that will open up the quest for you.
Unfortunately, the Count won’t simply grant an audience to anyone. He is intensely private and dislikes being disturbed. You’ll need to find a way to gain his trust or find someone who will vouch for you.
To get the recommendation you need, you have a few options. You can attempt to raise your Speechcraft skill high enough to persuade one of the castle guards to let you through. You can also try completing quests for people within Skingrad. There are many to do, so you may find a few to boost your disposition with the locals, or at least get you some extra coin.
Once you obtain the recommendation, you can speak with the Count, who will be understandably wary of you. He will eventually reveal that he is also a vampire, albeit one who has learned to manage his condition. This is the secret the townspeople are protecting. Despite his own condition, he wants a way to end it. He will then task you with finding a witch who can help create a cure.
The Cure for Vampirism Quest Walkthrough
Once the Count reveals Melisande’s location, you need to head over to her. She lives in a remote cabin not far from Skingrad.
Melisande is a skilled witch and knows the secrets of the arcane. She agrees to help you, but only if you can gather the necessary ingredients. These ingredients are not easy to come by and will require you to explore dangerous locations and confront various enemies. You can find them anywhere from the Imperial City, to Blackwood, and beyond.
She tasks you with finding five ingredients:
- A Grand Soul Gem (Filled)
- Six Cloves of Garlic
- Five Samples of Bloodgrass
- Two Samples of Nightshade
- Two Portions of Argonian Blood
Finding the Ingredients
Let’s break down each ingredient:
A Grand Soul Gem (Filled): This is perhaps the most challenging ingredient to acquire. A Grand Soul Gem is a container that holds the essence of a creature’s soul. To fill it, you’ll need to use a Soul Trap spell or a weapon enchanted with Soul Trap on a creature with a Grand soul. Common sources for Grand Souls include Dremora, who can be found in Oblivion Gates, or through Conjuration spells. Black Soul Gems can trap human souls, but they are inherently evil and can lead you down a darker path. You can purchase empty Grand Soul Gems from mages and general goods merchants. Filling one requires some skill and effort.
Garlic: Garlic, thankfully, is much easier to find. You can find it in the kitchens of many homes and inns throughout Cyrodiil. Check barrels, sacks, and shelves. It can be commonly found in Skingrad homes, so you might want to start looking there.
Bloodgrass: Bloodgrass grows exclusively in Oblivion, within the dangerous realms created by Oblivion Gates. You’ll need to travel through an Oblivion Gate to find it. Be warned; these realms are filled with Daedra and other hostile creatures. Bloodgrass grows abundantly near the towers.
Nightshade: Nightshade can be found growing near bodies of water, especially in the Great Forest region. Search around lakes, rivers, and swamps. This deadly flower is easily identified by its distinctive purple petals.
Argonian Blood: This is perhaps the most ethically challenging ingredient. You need to acquire blood from an Argonian. You can attempt to persuade an Argonian to donate their blood, but this may require a high Speechcraft skill. You can also resort to theft, picking their pockets and taking a vial of blood while they sleep. The last resort is to attack and kill an Argonian. This will incur a bounty and potentially negative consequences depending on where it happens. Argonians can be found commonly around the docks in Bravil and Leyawiin. Always consider the ethical implications before resorting to violence.
Speaking with Melisande
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, return to Melisande at her home. She will examine them to ensure they are of sufficient quality. If everything is in order, she will instruct you on the final step.
The Ritual
Melisande will now tell you to come back at midnight. She will then perform the ritual to cure you of vampirism. It is recommended that you follow these steps very carefully. You will need to remain within the confines of her home while she performs the ritual. Any interference may cause it to fail, resulting in you wasting time and resources. She will perform the ritual, and the screen will go black.
Post-Cure and Consequences
After the ritual is complete, you should be cured of Vampirism. The best way to verify this is to check your Active Effects in the magic menu. The Vampirism affliction should be gone. You can also test it by stepping into the sunlight. You should no longer take damage from the sun’s rays.
Whether or not you must report to Count Hassildor after being cured depends on the dialogue choices you made during the quest. You may have promised to inform him of the outcome. If so, return to Skingrad and let him know the cure was successful. He may offer you a reward for your efforts, depending on your relationship with him.
After being cured, you’ll need to adjust back to a normal gameplay style. Restore any stats that may have been drained or altered by Vampirism. Re-equip any gear you may have removed due to your condition. Most importantly, get back out there and enjoy the game without the restrictions of being a Vampire.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Even with this guide, you may encounter some problems along the way. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Quest Bugs: Some players have reported minor quest bugs during the “Cure for Vampirism” quest. If you encounter a bug, try reloading an earlier save. If that doesn’t work, consult the Elder Scrolls online community for specific solutions to the bug you’re encountering.
Difficulty Finding Ingredients: Some ingredients, particularly the Grand Soul Gem (Filled), can be challenging to find. Be patient and persistent. Explore dungeons, visit magic shops, and experiment with Soul Trapping.
Problems with the Ritual: Make sure to follow Melisande’s instructions exactly. Be at her house at midnight, and do not interfere with the ritual.
Here are some frequently asked questions about curing Vampirism in Oblivion:
Can I become a Vampire again after being cured? Yes, you can contract Porphyric Hemophilia again and become a Vampire. However, you’ll have to go through the entire process of contracting the disease and waiting three days for it to transform you.
What happens if I fail the quest? If you fail the quest, you’ll remain a Vampire. You’ll need to start the quest again from the beginning.
Is there a permanent cure? The “Cure for Vampirism” quest provides a permanent cure. Once you’re cured, you’ll no longer be a Vampire unless you contract Porphyric Hemophilia again.
What happens if I wait too long to start the cure after contracting vampirism? There are no time limits on starting the “Cure for Vampirism” quest. However, the longer you wait, the more powerful your Vampiric abilities will become, and the more severe your weaknesses will be.
Conclusion
Curing Vampirism in Oblivion is a challenging but rewarding quest. By following this comprehensive guide, you can gather the necessary ingredients, perform the ritual, and free yourself from the curse of the undead. While the power and abilities of a Vampire are enticing, the drawbacks often outweigh the benefits. Embrace the freedom of daylight, the acceptance of society, and the joy of living a normal life once again. Go forth, adventurer, and reclaim your mortality! Enjoy the game in a completely new way and experience all that Cyrodiil has to offer.
