Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion
Vampirism, a dark and alluring curse that can grip your character in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, offers a Faustian bargain of enhanced abilities in exchange for crippling weaknesses. While the allure of increased strength, speed, and resistances might initially seem appealing, the reality of relentless sun damage, the constant need to feed, and the fear you inspire in the hearts of the citizenry can quickly become burdensome. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for any player seeking to shed the vampiric affliction and reclaim their mortal life. We’ll delve into the intricacies of vampirism, the quest required to find a cure, and offer helpful tips to ensure your journey back to humanity is a successful one. The primary method of removing this curse lies within the quest “Cure for Vampirism,” and this guide will provide detailed instructions on how to complete it.
How Vampirism is Contracted
The journey to cure vampirism in Oblivion begins with understanding how you contracted it in the first place. The insidious disease responsible for this transformation is known as Sanguinare Vampiris. It is contracted through combat with vampires, primarily through their melee attacks. Each strike has a chance to infect your character. The initial infection provides a three-day grace period. During this time, you will experience subtle symptoms, but you won’t yet be a fully fledged vampire. This is your window of opportunity to cure the disease with a simple potion of cure disease or a visit to a chapel altar.
Stages of Vampirism
If left untreated, after three days, the transformation into a vampire is complete. From this point onward, your character will progress through four distinct stages of vampirism, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. These stages are primarily governed by how recently you have fed on blood.
At the initial stage, the advantages of being a vampire are relatively mild, with subtle increases to attributes like Strength and Speed. You’ll also gain some resistance to diseases and normal weapons. However, the weaknesses are manageable; you’ll experience minor sun damage when exposed to sunlight and some NPCs may react negatively to your presence.
As you progress through the stages of vampirism by not feeding, the benefits become more pronounced. Your attributes receive more significant boosts, your resistance to diseases and weapons increases, and you gain powerful abilities such as invisibility and the ability to enthrall weaker individuals. But the drawbacks escalate dramatically. Sun damage becomes severe, and NPCs will react with fear and hostility, refusing to interact with you. Feeding becomes absolutely essential to survive.
The Need to Feed
The need to feed is a crucial aspect of managing vampirism. Feeding allows you to revert to the first stage, mitigating the worst effects of the later stages. You can feed on sleeping NPCs, but doing so is considered a crime and can result in a bounty if you’re caught. Successfully feeding resets your vampiric stage, providing temporary relief from the sun’s burning rays and the hostile reactions of the populace.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The advantages of vampirism include increased Strength, Speed, and Acrobatics, as well as resistance to disease and normal weapons. Some vampires also gain access to unique abilities, such as invisibility, increased unarmed damage, and the ability to charm weaker NPCs. However, these benefits come at a steep price. The most significant drawback is the vulnerability to sunlight. Prolonged exposure to sunlight causes constant damage and can quickly lead to death. Vampires also suffer from negative reactions from NPCs, making it difficult to trade, complete quests, or simply interact with the world. Finally, the constant need to feed on blood can be both morally challenging and practically inconvenient.
The Cure for Vampirism Quest – Step-by-Step Guide
Starting the Quest
If the drawbacks of vampirism outweigh the benefits for you, fear not! A cure exists within the game. To begin your quest for salvation, you must first locate reliable information. Guards and other NPCs may drop rumors about a cure for vampirism. Pay attention to these whispers, as they often point you in the right direction. A more direct approach is to visit the Arcane University in the Imperial City and speak with Raminus Polus, a high-ranking member of the Mages Guild. He possesses knowledge of rare and unusual phenomena and will direct you to the individual who holds the key to your salvation.
Finding Count Hassildor of Skingrad
Your path to cure vampirism in Oblivion now leads to Skingrad, specifically to its ruler, Count Hassildor. The Count resides in Skingrad Castle and maintains an unconventional schedule. He may be found in his private quarters, the throne room, or even wandering the castle grounds. Speaking with him initially reveals his guarded nature. He is hesitant to discuss the matter, due to his own personal history with vampirism. Persist in your inquiries, and eventually, he will reveal that he possesses the knowledge to cure vampirism, but requires your assistance in gathering rare ingredients.
Gathering the Ingredients
The Count requires five specific ingredients to perform the ritual: a filled Grand Soul Gem, six cloves of garlic, five nightshade flowers, two bloodgrass stalks, and the ashes of a powerful vampire.
Obtaining a Filled Grand Soul Gem
Obtaining a filled Grand Soul Gem is arguably the most challenging part of the quest. Grand Soul Gems can be purchased from merchants, found in dungeons, or as rewards for completing quests. However, the gem must be filled with a Grand soul to be of use. To fill it, you will need the Soul Trap spell or an enchanted weapon that casts Soul Trap. Cast the spell or strike your target with the weapon just before it dies. Powerful creatures, such as Minotaur Lords, Dremora Lords, or Xivilai, possess Grand souls and are suitable for filling the gem. Ensure that the soul you capture is a Grand soul, or the ritual will fail.
Gathering Garlic, Nightshade, and Bloodgrass
Garlic, nightshade, and bloodgrass are much more readily available. Garlic can be found in abundance in cellars, kitchens, and stores throughout Cyrodiil. Look for strings of garlic hanging from ceilings or scattered in containers. Nightshade flowers thrive in graveyards and dark, damp environments. Check around gravestones and in shaded areas for this ingredient. Bloodgrass can only be found in Oblivion planes. You will need to traverse through Oblivion gates, explore the hostile landscapes, and carefully harvest the stalks. Be wary of the Daedra that inhabit these realms, as they are dangerous foes.
Obtaining the Ashes of a Powerful Vampire
The final ingredient, the ashes of a powerful vampire, requires you to hunt down and defeat a formidable undead creature. The vampires you need must be relatively powerful; basic vampires will not do. Check caves, ruins, and secluded locations that are known to harbor vampires. When you find a suitable target, prepare for a difficult fight. Use silver or enchanted weapons, as normal weapons are less effective against vampires. Once you have defeated the vampire, collect its ashes.
Returning to Count Hassildor and Speaking with Melisande
With all the necessary ingredients in your possession, return to Count Hassildor in Skingrad Castle. He will then instruct you on the next stage of the cure. He will tell you to speak with Melisande. She is not initially in the castle itself, but within her own home in Skingrad. After some further conversation with her, she will warn you about the dangers of what you are about to do, but ultimately give you the final location you need to visit to complete the quest.
Completing the Ritual
The ritual site lies within the Vampire Clan’s home, a cave location relatively close to Skingrad. This will be marked upon your map after speaking with Melisande. Navigate through the cave until you reach the Altar, and allow the events to unfold. After some brief combat, you are cured!
Alternative Methods
While the “Cure for Vampirism” quest is the intended method, there are alternative, albeit less conventional, ways to shed the affliction. The console commands offer a way to bypass the quest entirely. However, using console commands can sometimes introduce unintended consequences or bugs, so proceed with caution. There are also mods available that alter the cure process or provide alternative cures. However, installing mods can affect the stability of your game, so research them and follow installation instructions carefully.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Many players face challenges when completing the “Cure for Vampirism” quest. One common problem is finding the ingredients, particularly the Grand Soul Gem. If you are having trouble locating a Grand Soul Gem, consider visiting the Mages Guild halls in various cities. Mages often sell soul gems, and you might find a Grand one for sale. If you are struggling to fill the gem, focus on hunting powerful creatures like Minotaur Lords or Dremora Lords.
Another challenge is dealing with the negative effects of vampirism while completing the quest. Carry potions of resist fire to mitigate sun damage, and plan your travels to avoid sunlight exposure as much as possible. Feeding can help alleviate the worst symptoms, but be mindful of the consequences of feeding on NPCs.
What happens if you accidentally progress too far in the stages of vampirism? If you reach the fourth stage and are unable to feed, you will suffer extreme sun damage and NPCs will refuse to interact with you. Try to reach a sleeping NPC before the sun rises, or use spells like invisibility to sneak past enemies.
Conclusion
Curing vampirism in Oblivion is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By completing the “Cure for Vampirism” quest, you can reclaim your mortal life and shed the burdens of the undead. Gathering the necessary ingredients, navigating the dangers of Oblivion, and facing powerful vampires will test your skills and determination. The journey may be fraught with peril, but the satisfaction of returning to humanity is well worth the effort. With careful planning, perseverance, and this comprehensive guide, you can break the vampiric curse and once again walk the lands of Cyrodiil as a mortal. Embrace the challenge, and may your journey back to humanity be a successful one.
