Introduction
Vampirism in Oblivion can be a fascinating and challenging experience. Becoming a creature of the night grants you powerful abilities, but also subjects you to crippling weaknesses. The allure of enhanced strength and agility might be tempting, but the vulnerability to sunlight and the constant need to feed can quickly become overwhelming. If you find yourself afflicted with this dark curse and yearn for your mortal life back, this guide will provide you with a complete walkthrough on how to cure vampirism in Oblivion. Before we dive into the cure, let’s briefly touch on the advantages and disadvantages of being a vampire in Cyrodiil. The transformation will be gradual, with each stage increasing your power but also deepening your reliance on blood and sensitivity to the sun. Let’s start with the identifying the curse.
Identifying Vampirism: The Initial Stages
The journey into vampirism begins with contracting a disease called Porphyric Hemophilia. This disease is usually acquired through combat with vampires found in various dungeons and caves throughout Cyrodiil. It is essential to identify this infection early, as failing to do so will inevitably lead to the full transformation into a vampire after three in-game days. Pay close attention to any messages that appear on your screen after a battle, particularly if you’ve been fighting creatures of the night.
Symptoms of Porphyric Hemophilia may include feelings of fatigue, a slight weakening of your character’s attributes, and the appearance of the aforementioned notification in the upper-left corner of your screen. Don’t ignore those little things! An easy way to check your status screen is to navigate to your character’s stats screen and check the active effects. It will be listed under that section.
Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid contracting Porphyric Hemophilia in the first place, consider using spells or potions that provide disease resistance before venturing into vampire-infested areas. Alternatively, a simple “Cure Disease” spell cast immediately after combat can prevent the infection from taking hold.
Understanding the Stages of Vampirism
The transformation into a full-fledged vampire occurs gradually, progressing through several distinct stages. Each stage brings different changes to your character, and here’s a look at the progression:
Stage One
At stage one, the changes are relatively minor. Visually, you might notice a slight pallor to your skin, and your eyes may appear slightly more red. Your in-game status will reflect your affliction. You will also benefit from an increased Sneak skill and disease resistance. However, you will also become more vulnerable to fire and your attributes will decrease if exposed to the sun.
Stage Two
As you progress to stage two, the physical changes become more noticeable. Your skin grows paler, your eyes become more bloodshot, and your features might appear slightly gaunt. The same benefits and detriments from stage one continues to increase.
Stage Three
By stage three, the transformation is nearly complete. Your vampiric appearance is undeniable. At this stage, your vulnerability to fire becomes even more pronounced, and your attributes are more affected by exposure to sunlight. However, your sneaking skill and resistance to disease increase.
Stage Four
This is the final stage of vampirism. You will be at your strongest form with all its advantages. However, you are most vulnerable to the sun at this point.
Options to Cure Vampirism Before Transforming
Before you become a full-fledged vampire, you have several options to cure the disease that causes it. If you act quickly after contracting Porphyric Hemophilia, you can easily revert to your normal self.
Cure Disease Spells
The simplest and fastest method is to cast a “Cure Disease” spell on yourself. These spells are readily available for purchase from various merchants throughout Cyrodiil, particularly those who sell magical items and spells. Look for spell merchants in the Mage’s Guild halls in cities like Skingrad, Chorrol, and the Imperial City. Remember to cast the spell as soon as possible after contracting Porphyric Hemophilia to ensure its effectiveness.
Cure Disease Potions
Alternatively, you can use a “Cure Disease” potion. These potions can be found in shops, as loot in dungeons, or crafted by alchemists. General goods merchants and apothecaries are your best bet for finding these potions. Check places like the Market District in the Imperial City. Consuming a potion will instantly cure you of Porphyric Hemophilia, preventing the transformation into a vampire.
Praying at an Altar
The last way is to pray at an altar in a temple. Temples dedicated to the Divines, such as the Chapel of Julianos in Skingrad, often have altars where you can receive blessings, including the cure for diseases. Simply activate the altar and select the option to receive a blessing. If you are afflicted with Porphyric Hemophilia, the blessing will cure you instantly.
The Cure for Vampirism Quest: A Lengthy Process
If you fail to cure the disease in time and fully transform into a vampire, you will need to undertake a special quest to revert to your mortal state. This quest is long and challenging but is the only way to permanently cure your vampirism.
Initiating the Quest
To begin the cure quest, you must speak to specific non-player characters (NPCs) who possess knowledge of vampirism and its potential cures. The most reliable starting point is to seek out information from members of the Mages Guild or priests of Arkay, the god of life and death. A good place to start is the Arcane University in the Imperial City. Speak to the mages there, or seek out Raminus Polus. They will direct you to an expert on the matter.
Finding a Witch
After speaking to the relevant NPCs, you will be directed to travel to find a witch who resides far from the Imperial City. You will meet Melisande, who will offer to cure you if you bring her the necessary ingredients for the ritual.
Gathering the Ingredients
Melisande requires a specific set of rare ingredients for the cure ritual. These ingredients can be found throughout Cyrodiil, but gathering them will require exploration, combat, and a bit of luck. The ingredients are:
- Two Giant Hearts: Giant Hearts are rare and can be obtained by defeating giants, which are often found in the Jerall Mountains. Be prepared for a tough fight, as giants are formidable opponents.
- Five Grand Soul Gems: Grand Soul Gems are used to trap powerful souls. You can find them in dungeons and as rewards for completing quests, or buy them from magic merchants. Empty gems can be filled by using the Soul Trap spell on a powerful creature before killing it.
- Six Cloves of Garlic: Garlic is commonly found in homes and taverns throughout Cyrodiil. Check in towns like Skingrad, where garlic is often used in cooking.
- Five Nightshade Flowers: Nightshade flowers are poisonous plants that grow in shady areas, often near graveyards and ruins.
- Bloodgrass: Bloodgrass is found only in the planes of Oblivion. You must enter an Oblivion gate and harvest the Bloodgrass that grows there.
The Ritual
Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, return to Melisande. She will perform a ritual to cure you of your vampirism. The ritual will take some time, but once completed, you will be free of the curse and return to your mortal state.
Tips and Considerations for Curing Vampirism
Curing vampirism can be challenging, but here are some tips and considerations to make the process easier.
Managing Vampirism While Seeking a Cure
While you are a vampire, you must manage your condition to survive. This includes feeding regularly to avoid the negative effects of starvation and staying out of sunlight to avoid taking damage.
Avoiding Vampirism in the Future
Once you have been cured of vampirism, you may want to avoid contracting the disease again. Be cautious when exploring dungeons and fighting vampires. Use spells and potions that provide disease resistance to protect yourself.
Consequences of Vampirism
Being a vampire has several consequences, including negative reactions from NPCs. Some NPCs will be hostile towards you, while others will refuse to interact with you at all. This can make it difficult to complete quests and conduct business.
Benefits of Vampirism
Despite the drawbacks, vampirism also has some benefits. Vampires have increased strength, speed, and agility. They are also resistant to disease and poison. However, these benefits come at the cost of vulnerability to sunlight and the need to feed on blood.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you may encounter problems during the cure quest. This can include bugs, glitches, or difficulties finding the necessary ingredients. If you encounter any problems, consult online guides and forums for solutions.
Conclusion
Curing vampirism in Oblivion can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the steps in this guide, you can free yourself from the curse and return to your mortal state. Remember to manage your condition while you are a vampire and take precautions to avoid contracting the disease again in the future. Now that you know how to cure it, you can venture into the world and enjoy everything that Oblivion has to offer.
