Understanding the Curse of Vampirism in Oblivion
Contracting Porphyric Hemophilia
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a realm of sprawling landscapes, epic quests, and countless hours of exploration, offered players a world teeming with magic, intrigue, and, yes, the terrifying curse of vampirism. This affliction, while granting unique abilities, also brought with it a host of disadvantages, challenging the player’s journey through Cyrodiil. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, offering players the ultimate resource to understand, navigate, and ultimately *cure vampirism* within the world of Oblivion. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned adventurer, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to banish the darkness and return to the light.
The Subtle Symptoms
Before embarking on the quest to rid yourself of this nocturnal affliction, it’s essential to grasp the nature of vampirism within Oblivion. Understanding the mechanics will not only enhance your gameplay experience but also make the process of curing it far more manageable.
Contracting the dreaded Porphyric Hemophilia, the disease that transforms mortals into vampires, is the first step on this unholy path. This is typically acquired through combat. When you’re up against a vampire, a bite, or sometimes even just a direct hit from a vampire, carries a chance of contracting the disease. Unlike many other diseases, Porphyric Hemophilia takes time to manifest.
At first, you may only experience subtle symptoms. The early days might bring some subtle changes, such as fatigue and slight vision impairment. It could be easy to miss these signs, dismissing them as ordinary ailments.
The Progression of Vampirism
The progression of vampirism is gradual, with each stage amplifying its effects. As time passes, the changes become more pronounced. Sunlight begins to inflict damage, affecting your stamina and magicka regeneration, along with a slowly decreasing health pool. Social interactions become increasingly challenging, as NPCs react negatively to your appearance. You’ll find yourself greeted with fear and hostility as your monstrous characteristics become apparent.
Unique Powers
As a vampire, you’ll gain access to unique powers and abilities. Your strength increases, allowing you to carry more. Your night vision dramatically improves. You’ll acquire potent spells that enhance your combat prowess. These abilities can be advantageous in certain situations, particularly at night. The curse offers a taste of power, tempting the player to embrace the darkness.
The Downsides
However, the benefits are balanced by significant downsides. The most critical is the debilitating weakness to sunlight. Exposure to the sun will damage your health, magicka, and stamina rapidly, making daytime travel and combat extremely challenging. Vampires also have a vulnerability to fire and a pressing need to feed. Hunger is a constant companion. The vampire’s thirst for blood must be satiated periodically, as the longer a vampire goes without feeding, the more their weaknesses become pronounced. Ignoring the hunger will lead to a loss of health, attributes, and further degradation in social relations.
Why Cure Vampirism?
Why cure vampirism? For many, the benefits are outweighed by the negatives. The constant threat of sunlight, the dwindling social relations, and the constant need to feed can be overwhelming. Curing the curse of vampirism allows for greater freedom of movement, easier social interactions, and a return to the lifestyle of a mortal, removing a major obstacle in your quest for ultimate power. It’s a choice that allows you to embrace the fullness of the world without the shadows that cling to the vampiric state.
Initiating the Cure: The Quest and Its Steps
The Start
To rid yourself of this curse, you’ll need to undertake a specific quest within Oblivion. This is not a simple task, but with the right guidance, it’s achievable.
The quest begins with a conversation. The first step involves finding a quest giver, a character well-versed in the arcane arts and sympathetic to your plight. Finding this individual can vary, but you will begin your journey with a particular priest. This person, can be found in the city of Skingrad.
After Meeting the Priest
After speaking with the priest, he will initiate the process, and you will receive instructions on the ingredients required to create a cure.
Gathering the Essential Ingredients for the Cure
Nightshade
The heart of the cure lies in the ingredients needed to create the potion. Each component serves a vital role in the ritual, and obtaining them requires both skill and exploration.
This ingredient is one of the more easily accessible. Nightshade, a dark purple flower, often grows near water sources and in the wilds of Cyrodiil. Finding the nightshade is not too difficult. Explore, check near riverbanks, lakes, and damp environments. The quest marker for this item is generally helpful, and you should be able to find a significant number of flowers.
Blooded Fingers of a Vampire
This is where the quest gets more dangerous. You must acquire the “Blooded Fingers of a Vampire”. This is obtained by killing a vampire. The task may require you to venture into vampire lairs or encounter these creatures randomly in the world. This ingredient guarantees the destruction of the curse, so you will have to kill a vampire.
Garlic
This is another key ingredient, but thankfully, it’s readily available. Garlic can be found in various locations, from shops to gardens. Check the kitchens of homes and inns. Many merchants sell it as well. You can also harvest it yourself, but you’ll need to search for it.
Elves Ear
This herb is a bit more challenging to locate. It’s a green plant that can be found growing on trees, with a slight blueish tint. Check in forested areas and woodlands, around areas where trees are abundant.
The Ritual: Completing the Cure
The Process
With all the ingredients in hand, you must return to the priest.
You will be told to rest to complete the potion. After this short period of rest, you’ll find yourself cured of vampirism.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Cure
Preparation
Successfully curing vampirism involves more than just gathering ingredients. Careful planning, preparation, and strategy can make the process much smoother.
Before you start, plan your route and gather the necessary equipment. Make sure you’re adequately equipped to fight vampires if you decide to go to a vampire lair, and pack potions for healing and dealing with sunlight damage. Consider making a quick save before engaging in any dangerous encounters.
Dealing with Vampires
When facing vampires, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is essential. Vampires are powerful opponents, particularly in the dark. Use sunlight, fire-based attacks, and holy magic to your advantage. If possible, try to fight them in well-lit areas.
Speeding Up the Process
Speeding up the process involves efficient gathering and careful planning. If you know the locations of the ingredients beforehand, you can swiftly collect them. Prioritize the most challenging ingredients first, like the Blooded Fingers of a Vampire, to save time and reduce risk.
Re-infection
Even after curing vampirism, you could be re-infected. Always be vigilant. If you contract Porphyric Hemophilia again, repeat the steps to eradicate the curse from your character.
In Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Mortality
Curing vampirism in Oblivion is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. The quest requires persistence, exploration, and a willingness to face the dangers of the game. By following these steps, from understanding the curse to gathering the ingredients, you can banish the darkness and restore your character to their mortal form. Remember the essential ingredients, understand the locations, and prepare for combat.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to cure vampirism is yours. Many players enjoy the abilities granted by the curse. If you find the disadvantages too challenging, or you long for a return to a mortal life, then this guide provides the perfect path to freedom. Choose wisely, brave adventurer, and may your journey be filled with glory!
