Vampirism in Oblivion: A Dark Gift
Vampirism in Oblivion presents a unique challenge and a darkly alluring path for players. The enhanced abilities and resistances offer a compelling draw, yet the price – the weakness to sunlight, the constant thirst, the fearful whispers of townsfolk – can become a burden. Perhaps you embraced the night and its shadows, relishing the power, but now long for the warmth of the sun on your face and the acceptance of the living. If you find yourself yearning to break free from the curse of vampirism, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will lead you, step-by-step, through the intricate process of finding and administering the cure, allowing you to reclaim your place among the mortals of Cyrodiil.
This article will guide you through understanding the intricacies of vampirism, from its initial stages to its debilitating final form. We’ll then delve into the quest for a cure, detailing each step with precise instructions, locations, and helpful tips. Finally, we’ll explore preventative measures and ways to mitigate the effects of vampirism while you navigate the process of becoming human once more. So, prepare yourself for a journey that will take you from darkened crypts to mountaintop witch’s lairs, as we unravel the secrets of how to cure vampirism in Oblivion.
Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion
Vampirism isn’t a choice, at least not initially. It’s a disease called Sanguinare Vampiris, a creeping corruption that slowly transforms its victims. You contract this dreaded illness through combat with vampires. Encounters with these nocturnal predators, lurking in caves and ancient ruins across Cyrodiil, can leave you infected. Remember that not all vampires are created equal; different varieties, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, prowl the land. Some might favor brute force, while others might rely on illusion and stealth, but all of them carry the potential to infect you with Sanguinare Vampiris.
The disease doesn’t manifest immediately. There’s a three-day incubation period before you fully transform into a vampire. This grace period is crucial because it offers you a chance to nip the infection in the bud with a simple cure disease potion or a visit to a temple altar. Neglect to address the illness within those crucial three days, and you will become a full-fledged vampire, facing a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.
Once the transformation is complete, you’ll find yourself progressing through four distinct stages of vampirism, each with its own unique balance of benefits and drawbacks. These stages are determined by how long it has been since you last fed. The longer you go without feeding, the more powerful your vampire abilities become, but the greater your weaknesses also become.
Let’s examine these stages more closely:
The first stage, marked by minimal hunger, grants you subtle enhancements. You’ll find an increased resistance to disease and minor improvements to your Strength, Speed, Acrobatics, and Illusion skills. The drawbacks are also minimal, only a slight weakness to sunlight.
As you progress to the second stage, the benefits become more noticeable. Your skill enhancements and disease resistance increase. However, the sunlight weakness intensifies, causing greater damage during daylight hours. Furthermore, non-player characters (NPCs) may start to react negatively to your presence, muttering under their breath or avoiding you altogether.
The third stage further amplifies both the advantages and the disadvantages. Your vampire powers become truly potent, making you a formidable force in combat. But the sunlight weakness becomes crippling, and NPCs will become increasingly hostile. Staying hidden during the day becomes essential.
The final stage, the pinnacle of vampiric power, comes at a steep price. Your abilities are at their absolute peak. But the sunlight weakness is devastating, potentially leading to swift death if exposed for too long. NPCs will actively attack you on sight, forcing you to live a life of utter isolation and secrecy.
To mitigate these escalating drawbacks, you must feed regularly. Vampires sustain themselves by consuming the blood of sleeping mortals. To feed, you must sneak into a dwelling while the target is asleep. An on-screen prompt will guide you to initiate the feeding process. Success depends on your Sneak skill. Failure will alert the target and may lead to a bounty on your head. Alternatively, you can feed from a coffin.
Remember, neglecting to feed will cause you to progress to the next stage of vampirism. Careful management of your hunger is essential to maintain a manageable balance between power and weakness.
The Cure: A Path Back to the Sun
So, you’ve decided that the dark gift of vampirism is no longer for you. You’ve weighed the benefits against the drawbacks and chosen to embrace the light once more. Now, how to cure vampirism in Oblivion? The quest for a cure is long and arduous, but ultimately rewarding. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
First, address the problem quickly
If you’ve only just contracted Sanguinare Vampiris and haven’t yet transformed, you can easily cure it. Simply visit the altar in any temple and activate it, or drink a Cure Disease potion. This will eliminate the disease before it has a chance to take hold.
If transformation is complete, seek rumors and information
Once you’ve become a full vampire, a simple cure won’t suffice. You’ll need to embark on a special quest. Begin by speaking to innkeepers or other citizens in major cities. Ask them about rumors. Eventually, they will direct you to Raminus Polus at the Arcane University in the Imperial City.
Seek the council of Raminus Polus at the Arcane University
Find Raminus Polus within the Arcane University. Explain your situation. He will acknowledge your condition but confess that his expertise lies elsewhere. He suggests seeking the counsel of someone with extensive knowledge of vampires: Count Hassildor of Skingrad.
Meet Count Hassildor in Skingrad
Travel to Skingrad and seek out Count Hassildor. However, be warned: the Count will only speak with you if you are already a vampire. He will reveal that he has a vested interest in the subject. He will acknowledge that he has been researching vampirism for many years. He will tell you of a witch who resides in the mountains and possesses knowledge of the ancient ways, including a potential cure for your affliction. Hassildor will then direct you to Melisande.
Confront Melisande
Travel to the location indicated by Hassildor (a map marker will be added to your map). You’ll find Melisande in a secluded location. She will agree to help you, but only if you complete a daunting task: gathering rare and difficult-to-obtain ingredients for a complex ritual.
Gather the Cure Ingredients
Melisande requires a specific list of items. Each ingredient presents its own challenge, demanding exploration, combat, and resourcefulness. You need to collect the following:
- Five Grand Soul Gems filled with Grand souls. Grand Soul Gems can be purchased from mages in the Mages Guild or found as loot in dungeons. The challenging part is filling them with Grand souls. You need to use a Soul Trap spell or an enchanted weapon with the Soul Trap effect. Cast the spell or strike the target before it dies, and its soul will be trapped within the gem. Powerful creatures like Dremora, Minotaurs, or trolls, all found in various dungeons throughout Cyrodiil, have Grand souls.
- Six cloves of Garlic. Garlic can be found in homes and shops in most cities and towns. Check in barrels, crates, and shelves inside homes, inns, and taverns.
- Five Bloodgrass Sprigs. Bloodgrass grows exclusively in the Oblivion planes accessed through Oblivion Gates. These gates appear randomly across Cyrodiil after the main quest begins. Venture into these dangerous realms, navigate the treacherous landscapes, and search for the distinctive red grass that grows abundantly in these hellish environments.
- The Ashes of a Powerful Vampire. This requires you to defeat a specific vampire: Hindaril, found in Barren Cave. This is a challenging fight, so prepare accordingly with appropriate weapons and armor.
- Nightshade. Nightshade is commonly found in cemeteries and graveyards. Look around tombstones and crypts.
Return to Melisande for the ritual
Once you have collected all the ingredients, return to Melisande at her location. Present the items to her. She will then perform a ritual to cure you of your vampirism.
Claim your reward: You are Cured!
After the ritual is complete, the curse of vampirism will be lifted. You are free to roam in the sunlight and interact with people without fear.
Tips and Tricks for Curing Vampirism
While undertaking the cure, consider these strategies:
- Prevention is Key: Cure Disease potions or spells are your best friends. After any encounter with vampires, immediately use a Cure Disease effect to prevent Sanguinare Vampiris from taking hold.
- Manage Sunlight Weakness: During the day, travel at night or make use of spells and enchantments that provide resistance to fire damage, which mitigates the harmful effects of sunlight. Shadow clothing is helpful too.
- Handle Negative Reactions: If you haven’t reached the final stage of vampirism, using Illusion spells like Charm can help offset the negative reactions from NPCs.
Conclusion: Embrace the Light
How to cure vampirism in Oblivion is a challenging but ultimately rewarding quest. It demands patience, perseverance, and a willingness to face danger and hardship. This guide has provided you with the knowledge and instructions necessary to navigate this difficult path. By following these steps, gathering the required ingredients, and seeking the aid of those who understand the ancient ways, you can break free from the curse and reclaim your place among the living. Now go forth and explore Cyrodiil, once again bathed in the warmth of the sun and welcome by your fellow citizens. Whether you embrace the darkness or seek the light, the choice is ultimately yours.
