Introduction
Porphyric Hemophilia, a chilling affliction found in the expansive world of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, is a disease that no adventurer wishes to contract. It’s the first, ominous step on the path towards becoming a vampire, a creature of the night burdened with both great power and significant drawbacks. Contracting Porphyric Hemophilia means you’ve been attacked by a vampire, and the clock is now ticking. If left untreated, this initial disease will inevitably transform you into a full-fledged vampire, forcing you to adapt to a drastically different playstyle and face unique challenges.
The importance of quickly addressing Porphyric Hemophilia cannot be overstated. While the allure of vampirism might seem tempting to some, the reality is a life filled with disadvantages during the day, a constant thirst for blood, and the necessity of evading sunlight, which burns vampires with intense fury. Avoiding this fate is crucial for maintaining a normal gameplay experience and continuing your adventures in Cyrodiil unimpeded.
This guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies needed to identify Porphyric Hemophilia early, understand its progression, and, most importantly, cure it before it’s too late. We’ll delve into the various methods available to rid yourself of this affliction, ensuring you can continue your journey as a champion of light, rather than succumbing to the shadows.
Understanding Porphyric Hemophilia in Oblivion
The initial stages of Porphyric Hemophilia are subtle, often making it easy to overlook. After being attacked by a vampire, you won’t immediately transform. Instead, the disease takes hold within your character, incubating over a period of seventy-two in-game hours. During this time, you might notice subtle changes, but nothing overtly vampiric will manifest.
The symptoms are not obvious, and this is what makes timely action so crucial. You might experience a very slight decrease in your overall well-being, perhaps attributing it to fatigue or the aftermath of a difficult battle. Some players report a vague feeling of unease or discomfort. However, these symptoms are generally too mild to be reliably used for diagnosis. The lack of clear indicators is precisely why many players are caught off guard and inadvertently progress to full vampirism.
If you fail to cure Porphyric Hemophilia within the seventy-two hour window, the consequences are significant. Your character will awaken one morning as a full-fledged vampire. This transformation brings with it a host of changes, some beneficial, others detrimental. You’ll gain increased Strength, Speed, and various skill bonuses, making you a formidable combatant in the dark. However, you’ll also develop a weakness to sunlight, suffering damage while exposed during the day. Your appearance will change, reflecting your undead state. Furthermore, you’ll develop an insatiable thirst for blood, requiring you to feed regularly on unsuspecting victims to survive. The world reacts differently to vampires as well, with NPCs being more cautious or hostile, depending on the stage of your vampirism.
To determine if you’ve contracted Porphyric Hemophilia, you need to access your character’s Active Effects menu. This menu, found within your character’s stats, lists all active buffs, debuffs, and conditions affecting your character. Look for the entry specifically labeled “Porphyric Hemophilia.” Its presence confirms that you have the disease and need to take immediate action. It’s good practice to routinely check this menu after any encounter with vampires.
Methods to Cure Porphyric Hemophilia
The most straightforward and reliable method to cure Porphyric Hemophilia is to use a Cure Disease potion or spell. These are readily available throughout Cyrodiil and offer a quick and effective solution to the impending vampiric transformation.
Using Cure Disease Potions/Spells
Obtaining Cure Disease potions is relatively simple. Many vendors across Cyrodiil sell these potions, particularly alchemists found in the Mages Guild halls and healers residing in temples. Specific locations where you’re likely to find them include the various Mages Guild halls across the major cities, such as Skingrad, Bravil, and Cheydinhal. Temples, such as the Chapel of Julianos in Skingrad or the Great Chapel of Zenithar in Leyawiin, are also excellent places to look. These potions are easily identifiable by their icon and description, which clearly states their ability to cure diseases. The cost of a Cure Disease potion is generally affordable, making it accessible even to low-level characters.
Casting Cure Disease spells is another viable option, especially for characters skilled in Restoration magic. The Restoration school of magic contains spells specifically designed to cure diseases, providing a magical solution to your ailment. You can learn these spells from trainers within the Mages Guild or from scrolls found throughout the world. The Mages Guild halls are again a valuable resource, offering trainers who can teach you the necessary spells. Scrolls containing Cure Disease spells can occasionally be found in dungeons, bought from vendors, or acquired as quest rewards. However, relying solely on scrolls is less reliable than learning the spell, as they are consumable items. Keep in mind the magicka cost and skill requirements associated with casting Cure Disease spells. Lower-level characters might find their magicka reserves insufficient to cast the spell effectively, or they might lack the necessary Restoration skill.
Activating Shrine Blessings
Shrine blessings offer another avenue for curing Porphyric Hemophilia. Throughout Cyrodiil, you’ll find shrines dedicated to the various deities of the Imperial pantheon. Interacting with these shrines can grant you temporary blessings, providing various benefits to your character. Some shrines, most notably the shrines dedicated to Arkay, the god of life and death, have the ability to cure diseases. Seeking out these shrines and receiving their blessings can effectively remove Porphyric Hemophilia. The location of shrines varies, but they are often found in remote areas, near temples, or along well-traveled roads. Arkay shrines are particularly common near graveyards and places of worship dedicated to him.
Temple Healing Services
Many temples also offer healing services, providing another way to cure Porphyric Hemophilia. Visiting a temple in any major city and speaking to the resident priest or healer will often give you the option to receive healing services, including the removal of diseases. The cost of these services is generally minimal, making it an accessible option for characters of all levels. Temples dedicated to deities associated with healing, such as Arkay and Mara, are particularly likely to offer these services.
Rare and Specific Items (Mention for Completeness)
While less common, certain rare and specific items might also have the ability to cure disease. These items are often associated with specific quests or found in unique locations. However, relying on these items as a primary method of curing Porphyric Hemophilia is not advisable, as their availability is limited and unpredictable. Cure disease potions and spells offer much more reliable and readily accessible solutions.
Preventing Porphyric Hemophilia
Prevention, as they say, is better than cure. Taking proactive steps to avoid contracting Porphyric Hemophilia in the first place is always the best strategy.
Resist Disease
One effective way to prevent contracting diseases is to utilize Resist Disease effects. These effects can be obtained through various means, including spells, potions, racial abilities, and blessings. Casting Resist Disease spells before engaging with vampires can significantly reduce your chances of contracting Porphyric Hemophilia. Similarly, consuming Resist Disease potions provides temporary protection against diseases. Certain races, such as Argonians, possess innate Resist Disease abilities, making them naturally more resistant to contracting Porphyric Hemophilia. Blessings from certain shrines can also grant temporary Resist Disease effects, providing another layer of protection.
Fighting Vampires
When facing vampires, employing effective combat tactics and wearing appropriate gear is crucial. Vampires are formidable foes, capable of dealing significant damage and infecting you with Porphyric Hemophilia. Using ranged attacks, employing tactical maneuvers, and utilizing weapons enchanted with fire damage can help you defeat vampires more easily and reduce your risk of infection. Wearing armor that provides protection against physical attacks and diseases can also help mitigate the damage you receive and lower your chances of contracting Porphyric Hemophilia.
Awareness of surroundings
Maintaining awareness of your surroundings is also essential. Vampires typically reside in dark, secluded areas, such as caves, ruins, and crypts. Avoiding these locations or proceeding with extreme caution can help you minimize your exposure to vampires and reduce your risk of contracting Porphyric Hemophilia. If you must enter these areas, be prepared for combat and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from disease.
What to Do If You Miss the Cure
Despite your best efforts, there might come a time when you fail to cure Porphyric Hemophilia within the seventy-two hour window. If this happens, your character will inevitably transform into a vampire.
While transforming into a vampire is not the end of your game, it does require a significant change in your playstyle and approach to the game. You’ll need to adapt to the challenges of vampirism, such as the weakness to sunlight and the need to feed on blood. Fortunately, even if you become a vampire, there is still hope for a cure.
Several quests within Oblivion offer the possibility of curing vampirism, allowing you to revert to your original form. These quests typically involve undertaking challenging tasks, gathering rare ingredients, or seeking the assistance of powerful individuals. This article focused on preventing vampirism, and further information on curing it is best found in specific guides dedicated to dealing with vampirism.
Conclusion
Curing Porphyric Hemophilia in Oblivion is a straightforward process, provided you act quickly and utilize the available resources. Early detection is key, and routinely checking your Active Effects menu after encountering vampires can help you identify the disease before it progresses too far. By utilizing Cure Disease potions, casting Cure Disease spells, seeking shrine blessings, or visiting temples, you can effectively rid yourself of this affliction and avoid the unwanted fate of becoming a vampire.
Remember to play strategically, taking proactive steps to prevent contracting Porphyric Hemophilia in the first place. Utilizing Resist Disease effects, employing effective combat tactics, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings can significantly reduce your risk of infection.
Ultimately, Oblivion is a game of choices, and whether you choose to embrace or reject the path of vampirism is entirely up to you. By understanding the nature of Porphyric Hemophilia and utilizing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision and continue your adventures in Cyrodiil on your own terms. Good luck, adventurer, and may your path be free from the shadows!
