How To Cure Vampirism in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Introduction

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion invites players into the vibrant, expansive world of Tamriel, a realm teeming with magic, adventure, and danger. Within this immersive landscape, players forge their own destinies, exploring ancient ruins, battling fearsome creatures, and interacting with a diverse cast of characters. One of the many unique experiences available is the possibility of contracting Vampirism, a condition that transforms your character into a creature of the night. Becoming a vampire brings unique challenges and potent abilities, but also introduces significant drawbacks that might leave you seeking a cure. This article will guide you through the process of how to cure Vampirism in Oblivion, providing a comprehensive walkthrough for those seeking to return to their mortal state. Whether you stumbled into this undead fate or are now weighing the options, understanding the process is crucial.

Understanding Vampirism’s Grip in Oblivion

Vampirism in Oblivion is not merely a cosmetic change; it’s a transformative affliction with both significant benefits and undeniable curses. Understanding how it spreads and what it means is key before you even think about a cure. It is a disease that subtly, then dramatically, changes your character.

How does one succumb to this nocturnal affliction? The most common route is through combat with a vampire. These creatures, often lurking in dungeons or dark corners, possess a vampiric bite that carries the infectious disease *Porphyric Hemophilia*. If you’re struck by a vampire’s attack, there’s a chance you’ll be infected. The infection doesn’t manifest immediately; it takes time. The first few days might seem ordinary, with no noticeable changes. But this is a dangerous illusion.

The Stages of Vampirism: Your Transformation Unfolds

The true nature of Vampirism reveals itself in distinct stages. Each stage is marked by specific symptoms and changes that reflect the vampire’s increasing dependency on blood.

Initially, the symptoms are subtle. Your character might experience a slightly altered skin tone, perhaps a paler complexion. It’s easy to overlook this early in the process. However, as the disease progresses, the changes become more pronounced.

With each passing day, if the disease is not treated, the changes become more apparent. Your skin will become undeniably pale, your eyes will start to take on a reddish hue, and your features will become more gaunt. The vampire’s thirst begins to manifest, subtly at first.

As the disease intensifies, and as your need for blood increases, your health, and stamina will begin to dwindle when exposed to sunlight. The effects of sunlight, and also the degree to which they will effect you, will depend on how hungry your character is. Along with the growing weakness to the sun, you will find you get greater resistances to disease, but also the ability to resist and drain your enemy’s magicka.

Symptoms of Vampirism: Shadows and Hunger

The symptoms of Vampirism are both physical and functional, shaping every aspect of your character’s life. Recognizing these symptoms is essential for managing the disease and, of course, deciding what you’re going to do about it.

The physical changes are perhaps the most noticeable. The pale skin, the shadowed eyes, the gaunt features – these are the hallmarks of a vampire. In later stages, your appearance will be drastically altered, clearly identifying you as a creature of the night. Other visual transformations include changes to hair color and even the shape of your teeth.

Beyond the physical, the most significant functional change is the weakness to sunlight. While in the sun, your health will steadily drain. This makes daytime travel extremely difficult, forcing you to seek shelter or move swiftly from shadow to shadow.

Vampires also gain a collection of unique abilities. These powers are linked to your hunger. In the earlier stages, you might gain minor abilities, like a boost to your sneak skill. As you become hungrier, you will obtain a larger array of spells, and the ability to drain your opponent’s life force, or the ability to turn invisible for brief periods of time.

Another key symptom is the compulsion to feed. Your hunger increases as the disease progresses. You will regularly have to feed on sleeping NPCs, draining their blood to maintain your health and retain your powers. The consequences of this act can range from social rejection to outright hostility from the guards.

The Path to Restoration: Steps to Rid Yourself of the Vampiric Curse

If the drawbacks of Vampirism outweigh the advantages, there is a cure to be found. The quest “A Cure for Vampirism” is your pathway to restoring your mortal form. This quest provides a framework for healing. The quest is a somewhat involved journey.

Finding a Religious Figure: The First Step

Begin your quest by seeking out a religious figure. In the province of Cyrodiil, the chapels of the Nine hold the keys to understanding the divine forces at play. Find a chapel dedicated to one of the Divines, and search for a priest. The priests are often in the nave, where they spend their time teaching the masses. This will begin the process of the quest and begin the cure.

Gathering the Essential Ingredients: A Quest for Reagents

The cure for Vampirism requires a specific set of ingredients. Each ingredient plays a vital role in restoring your mortality. You will need to gather these ingredients, each one offering its own unique challenge to obtain.

The first ingredient is Nightshade, a flowering plant that can be found in various locations throughout Cyrodiil. You will find it in areas such as near bodies of water, and it glows with purple flowers. Collecting Nightshade is usually a straightforward task.

The next ingredient is the Blood of an Argonian, which needs to be obtained. The best place to look for an Argonian to extract some blood from is in a village or town. It is critical that you do not attack the individual, so that you can simply obtain the blood. This can be a tricky task, and players may be tempted to simply eliminate an Argonian.

Vampire Dust is also required, and this can be obtained by defeating vampires. This is usually dropped as loot when you defeat a vampire. Keep in mind that you’ll want to ensure you have this on your person when you need to make the cure.

The final essential ingredient is Garlic. It plays a crucial role. Garlic is a natural deterrent for vampires, and it is an important part of the cure. You’ll find it in various locations, including many of the chapels, or in shops selling ingredients. Make sure that you gather all of the garlic you can find.

Crafting the Elixir: The Ritual

The final step involves crafting the cure itself, in order to be completely rid of the disease. You will need to go to the correct location for the cure. It is best to have all of the ingredients available, before entering the location.

Once you have the ingredients, the religious figure will help you. They will assist you in creating the cure and performing the ritual. Be patient and follow the instructions carefully.

The Transformation: The Result

After you complete the ritual and drink the cure, your transformation will be complete. Your health, stamina and magicka bars will change. You will no longer be a vampire. No longer will you wither in the light of day.

How to Verify the Cure:

There are several ways to check if the cure has been successful. Step into the sunlight and see if you are affected. No longer should you be. Try to cast the powers that were available, you should find that they are gone. Your stats, or the stats of your armor or weapons, should also not have any special vampire effects.

Additional Considerations: Tips, Prevention, and Alternatives

Beyond the basic steps, there are additional considerations that will further help you.

Preventing Vampirism: A Stitch in Time

If you wish to avoid becoming a vampire, there are preventative measures. When you enter into a fight with a vampire, it is imperative that you are aware that you can be infected with a disease. Immediately after, go to a place of worship, and be cleansed by praying at a shrine. This will eliminate the Porphyric Hemophilia before it takes hold.

Coping with the Side Effects:

If you’re a vampire, you can also choose to simply live with the condition. There are ways to mitigate the drawbacks of Vampirism. Potions can offer temporary relief from the effects of sunlight, while spells and careful planning can help you manage your hunger.

Alternative: The Embrace of the Night

Vampirism, while offering challenges, is a powerful advantage. As a vampire, you will have access to unique abilities and immunities, which include resistances to disease, poisons and frost. You will also have access to magical abilities.

Conclusion

How to cure Vampirism in Oblivion requires effort and careful planning. By following these steps, you will have successfully broken the curse of Vampirism and restored your mortal form. Remember that the decision to cure Vampirism is a matter of personal preference and your chosen playstyle. Embrace the challenges of the night if you choose, or reclaim your place in the sunlight. The choice, as always, is yours.