Introduction
The sun, that cruel and unforgiving celestial body, has always been a foe to fear, especially when you find yourself cursed with the affliction of vampirism in the captivating world of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*. The shadows beckon, offering a respite from the fiery gaze above, but at what cost? The craving for blood, the vulnerability to sunlight and fire – these are the burdens borne by the undead. Luckily, within the vast landscape of Cyrodiil, a way exists to reclaim your humanity, to once again walk freely under the midday sun. This is your guide to navigating the complexities of the vampire cure in *Oblivion*, and pondering what this means in a potentially remastered experience.
Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion
A journey through the vibrant land of Tamriel, in its original form, and potentially even more so in a remastered rendition, is fraught with peril and adventure. Among the myriad challenges players can face, the curse of vampirism stands out as a particularly transformative affliction. This condition, brought on by the disease Porphyric Hemophilia, dramatically alters gameplay, offering unique abilities while simultaneously imposing significant limitations. It creates a compelling, albeit often inconvenient, experience.
Consequences of Vampirism
The consequences of succumbing to this dark blessing are extensive. Your character, once a warrior or mage, or thief, will become subject to a range of powerful effects. The first and most obvious is a weakness to sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sun drains your health and stamina, forcing you to seek shelter during the day. Fire magic and weaponry become your nemesis, inflicting increased damage.
However, vampirism also grants remarkable gifts. Night vision allows you to navigate the darkest dungeons with ease. The ability to drain life forces from your enemies, strengthening yourself while weakening them, provides a tactical advantage in combat. The longer you go without feeding, the more your powers evolve. The initial stages offer smaller bonuses but as you progress into the later phases, your powers become truly significant, making you a terror on the battlefield, particularly under the cover of darkness. This progression, however, is a double-edged sword, as your vulnerability to sunlight grows with each stage.
Furthermore, becoming a vampire drastically alters your interactions with the world. NPCs, aware of your condition, will often react with fear or disdain, making it more difficult to engage in trade, receive quests, or even get a good night’s rest at an inn. This isolation and the need to conceal your true nature adds a unique layer of complexity to the game, forcing you to manage your reputation and carefully plan your movements. The choice to embrace vampirism is a profound one, reshaping your very existence within the game.
Why Cure Vampirism?
It’s not unusual to want to shed the shackles of this dark power. Perhaps the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Maybe you simply want to experience the world without the constant fear of sunlight. Or maybe you prefer the social grace of the living. Whatever your reasons, the good news is that a cure is available, offering redemption from the undead state.
The Cure Quest – Understanding the Core Process
Embarking on the quest to banish vampirism is a multi-step process, a journey that involves seeking the knowledge and assistance of specific individuals and obtaining peculiar ingredients. The core path lies in finding the one who can point you on the right track, and the most direct route leads you to the esteemed halls of the Arcane University. Your destination: an audience with Raminus Polus, a respected figure among the Mages Guild.
Gathering the required components is a task of its own, as each item has a unique history and location. Your success relies on your ability to navigate the landscapes of Cyrodiil. Once in possession of these components, you can then seek the final steps of recovery.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide to Curing Vampirism
Starting the Quest
The process begins with a simple visit to the Arcane University, a haven for mages and scholars of all disciplines. Here, amidst the grand halls and towering bookshelves, you’ll encounter the learned individuals. Begin searching for Raminus Polus, a seasoned member of the Mages Guild. He is the gatekeeper to the cure, ready to provide the guidance and the potion you’ll need.
Acquiring the Ingredients
To brew the potion needed for the cure, a specific set of ingredients are required. These items each hold their own unique lore, and hunting them will lead you on various journeys.
Mort Rage’s Blood
First, you must secure the blood of an Orc known as Mort Rage. This fearsome warrior resides in a dungeon, a place of old, that serves as his resting place. Locating his dungeon can be a challenge in itself, requiring exploration and the willingness to travel, sometimes through dangerous regions. Once you find him, your confrontation with Mort Rage is inevitable. You must extract his essence, a gruesome task that may involve a battle, or other means. The successful acquisition of his blood marks a critical step forward.
Elven Blood
Next, the blood of an Elven individual must be collected. You may find this ingredient, or need to purchase it, from vendors. You can often find it, however, within the halls of the Arcane University, and this is usually your quickest solution.
Garlic
Garlic is another ingredient, widely available throughout Cyrodiil. You can purchase garlic at various shops and taverns. This common culinary ingredient also plays a vital role in counteracting the vampire’s affliction. While easily found, knowing the locations of garlic can save you a lot of time and gold.
Nightshade
Finally, you need Nightshade, a common herb in the land. While the plants can often be found at various locations throughout Cyrodiil, the easiest way to ensure you have the ingredient is to purchase it.
Completing the Cure
With each ingredient in hand, the final steps are within reach. You must return to Raminus Polus. Deliver the components to this key figure. With the ingredients gathered, you will receive the potion, ready to drink. This vial holds the promise of transformation.
Once consumed, you begin the transition. You will no longer be a vampire. The symptoms slowly begin to fade, and you will experience the feeling of the sun on your skin. The world will react differently as you are no longer the undead. The cure process will be complete.
Potential Impact of a Remaster on the Cure
The concept of a *Oblivion* remaster, or an enhanced edition, continues to be a hot topic among the community. The promise of improved graphics, enhanced gameplay, and potential bug fixes is understandably exciting. But what of the mechanics of the cure?
Graphical Enhancements
A possible remaster would likely bring graphical improvements, potentially overhauling environments, character models, and visual effects. These changes might affect the visual clues that exist in the game. Improved textures and lighting could subtly alter the appearance of dungeons, impacting how you locate the individual, Mort Rage.
Gameplay Tweaks
The potential tweaks to gameplay are an intriguing prospect. Changes to difficulty could affect the acquisition of essential ingredients, making the quest easier or harder. The balance of combat, the strength of vampires, or even the prices of goods might see adjustments. Bug fixes could smooth out the user experience, solving existing issues.
Speculation and Possibilities
There is much speculation about potential changes. With no official information, the exact details remain a subject of debate. Some fans hope for completely new quests, and some would prefer to see the game as faithful as possible.
A *Oblivion Remaster* would have to maintain the essence of the original. If this is the case, then the cure will follow a similar process. It’s unlikely that the general framework will see an overhaul.
The potential impact of a remaster hinges on the approach the developers choose. A faithful recreation would likely preserve the cure process, while a more ambitious overhaul could bring more substantial changes. Even with enhancements, the core goal would remain the same: to provide a way for players to shed the curse of vampirism.
Tips and Tricks
There are many things to consider while you are a vampire, and while you are on the hunt to find the cure. Here are some tips:
- **Plan your travel:** Sunlight is your enemy. Plan your routes and quests to maximize your exposure. Stick to dungeons and caves during the day.
- **Prioritize Garlic and Elven Blood:** Keep a stock of garlic and nightshade. They can save you from being caught by the sun.
- **Embrace the night:** Vampire powers are most effective at night.
Conclusion
The curse of vampirism provides a thrilling experience, but the cure provides freedom. With this guide, you’re ready to step into the light. You’ve learned how to manage the intricacies of vampirism, and you understand how to begin the cure. Go forth, and reclaim your mortality.
The world of *Oblivion* offers endless adventures, whether you’re a vampire or not.
Call to Action
Share your vampire stories, or your quest experiences, in the comments!
Find the UESP wiki, which is the best reference for *Oblivion*, and dive in for a deeper dive.
