Introduction
The allure of the night, the enhanced strength and speed, the heightened senses – becoming a vampire in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion can seem incredibly appealing at first. Embracing the shadows and wielding newfound powers can drastically change your character’s capabilities and offer a unique playstyle. However, the price for these gifts is steep. The burning sting of sunlight, the constant thirst for blood, and the increasingly hostile reactions from the general populace can quickly turn this initial thrill into a frustrating burden. The whispers and rumors following you through Cyrodiil become a constant reminder of your affliction. If you find yourself yearning for the sun and a return to normalcy, fear not. A cure exists, and this guide is your comprehensive roadmap.
This detailed walkthrough will guide you through every step necessary to cure vampirism in Oblivion, from the moment you first contract the disease to the triumphant moment you regain your mortal coil. We’ll cover how to recognize the early signs of the affliction, the necessary preparations before embarking on the quest, a meticulous breakdown of the quest itself, and troubleshooting any potential problems you might encounter along the way. Consider this your essential resource to escaping the vampiric curse.
Recognizing Vampirism in Oblivion
Before you can even think about a cure, you need to be certain you’re afflicted with vampirism. Unlike some other diseases in Oblivion, vampirism progresses through stages, each with distinct characteristics. The initial infection occurs through contracting the disease *Porphyric Hemophilia*. This is most often contracted by battling vampires in the wilds or within their lairs. Be vigilant, and always carry a Cure Disease potion or cast a Cure Disease spell after any encounter with these creatures of the night.
The early symptoms can be subtle. You might notice slight increases to your Strength, Speed, and Acrobatics skills. Keep an eye on your character’s active effects through the magic menu. Pay close attention to dialogue, as non-player characters may start muttering concerned comments about your pallor or odd behavior. The most noticeable early sign is a change in your character’s eyes; they become noticeably more bloodshot and predatory.
Vampirism progresses through four distinct stages. The severity of the symptoms increases with each stage. At stage one, you receive minor stat bonuses and a small weakness to sunlight. However, by stage four, the bonuses are significant, but the sunlight weakness becomes crippling. You’ll take substantial damage while exposed to direct sunlight, making outdoor travel during the day almost impossible. Furthermore, your bloodthirst will become insatiable, requiring you to feed regularly to avoid further penalties.
Accurately identifying your current stage of vampirism is crucial because it impacts how non-player characters react to you and how effectively you can navigate the world. To determine your stage, check your active effects in the magic menu. The descriptions will indicate the specific stage of vampirism you are currently experiencing.
Preparing for the Cure: Pre-Quest Requirements
Curing vampirism in Oblivion is not a simple task. It requires more than just a willingness to be free from the curse; it demands careful preparation. Before you even approach a potential quest giver, ensure you’re adequately equipped and skilled.
While not explicitly stated, having a decent Speechcraft skill can greatly aid in navigating conversations and persuading non-player characters. Higher Speechcraft can open dialogue options that might otherwise be unavailable. Don’t fret if your Speechcraft skill is low. You can temporarily boost it with enchantments, potions, or even by utilizing the persuasion mini-game effectively.
Your reputation also plays a crucial role. As you progress through the stages of vampirism, non-player characters become increasingly wary and hostile. This is especially true if you’re seen feeding or committing crimes while under the influence of your vampiric bloodlust. Maintaining a positive reputation, or at least avoiding becoming notorious, will make the entire process smoother. Consider completing quests for guilds or helping citizens in need to improve your standing.
Finally, ensure you have sufficient gold. The cure for vampirism is not free. You will need to purchase ingredients or potentially pay for services. Start saving as early as possible. Efficient methods for earning gold in Oblivion include selling loot from dungeons, crafting and selling valuable alchemy potions, or completing lucrative quests offered by various guilds and factions.
Initiating the Cure Quest: Vampire Cure
The path to curing your vampirism begins with a persistent rumor, a desperate plea, and a reclusive count. Speak to innkeepers, guards, and other townsfolk across Cyrodiil. Eventually, you will hear whispers and rumors about a count in Skingrad who suffers from a mysterious ailment. Pursue these rumors and make your way to Skingrad.
The key to initiating the quest is Count Hassildor of Skingrad. He resides within Skingrad Castle, but be warned; he is fiercely private and rarely grants audiences. Persuade the castle’s guards or steward to allow you to speak with him.
When you finally gain an audience with Count Hassildor, you’ll quickly realize the nature of his ailment: he, too, is a vampire. However, his condition has left him weakened and desperate. He seeks a cure, not for himself, but out of a grim necessity to protect his city. Offer your assistance, and he will reluctantly task you with finding a way to end his shared affliction.
Walkthrough: Obtaining the Ingredients
Count Hassildor will task you with retrieving five specific ingredients, each carefully selected for their unique properties and connection to the vampiric curse. This is where your journey truly begins, leading you across Cyrodiil and even into the heart of Oblivion itself.
Grand Soul Gem (Filled)
First, you will need a Grand Soul Gem, and it must be filled with a grand soul. Empty Grand Soul Gems can be purchased from merchants, particularly those who specialize in magical goods. They can also be found as loot within dungeons and ruins. To fill the gem, you must cast a Soul Trap spell on a powerful creature and defeat it while the spell is active. The most reliable creatures for capturing grand souls are Minotaur Lords, often found in the Nibenay Valley, and Xivilai, which can be found in Oblivion planes. When soul trapping, remember that the soul trap spell must be active when the creature dies, and the gem must be empty. If the gem contains a soul of lesser value, it will be overwritten by the grand soul.
Six Heads of Garlic
Next, Count Hassildor requests six heads of garlic. Garlic is a common ingredient found throughout Cyrodiil. You can find it hanging in houses, taverns, and often for sale in alchemy shops. Look for it in towns like Chorrol and Bruma. Farming garlic can be simplified by visiting homes during the day.
Five Nightshade Flowers
The third ingredient is five Nightshade flowers. These flowers thrive in dark and eerie locations. Graveyards and forests are your best bet for finding them. Be cautious when harvesting Nightshade, as it has a poisonous effect. Ensure you have Cure Poison potions or spells available if you’re not immune to poison. Search around the Jerall Mountains for a good source of nightshade.
Two Bloodgrass Sprouts
To obtain the fourth ingredient, two Bloodgrass Sprouts, you’ll need to venture into the dangerous realms of Oblivion. This is a more dangerous element of the quest. You must enter an Oblivion Gate, those fiery portals that have begun to plague Cyrodiil. Bloodgrass grows abundantly near Oblivion Gates, particularly those with a distinctive red landscape. Be prepared for fierce resistance from Daedra creatures. Stock up on potions, equip your best gear, and consider bringing a companion to help you survive the hostile environment. The gates near Kvatch are a good place to find bloodgrass.
Ashes of a Powerful Vampire
Finally, you need the ashes of a powerful vampire. Count Hassildor doesn’t specify exactly where to find such a vampire, leaving it up to you to uncover the location. Look for lairs that vampires inhabit. One option is to seek out a small cave near Bravil, or inside the Redwater Slough. The Redwater Slough is a nasty area of swamps and forests, but may hold the powerful vampire you need. Be prepared for a challenging fight. Powerful vampires often wield potent spells and possess significant resistances. Once defeated, search the vampire’s remains for the required ashes.
Returning to Count Hassildor
With all five ingredients gathered, return to Skingrad Castle and speak with Count Hassildor. Present him with the ingredients, and he will initiate the ritual for the cure. The Count will require twenty-four in-game hours to complete the ritual. Leave the castle and find a safe place to rest or explore.
After waiting the required time, return to Count Hassildor. The ritual will be complete, and you will be cured of vampirism. You are now free to roam the countryside without fear of sunlight and with normal relationships with the townspeople.
Benefits and Consequences of Curing Vampirism
The relief of being cured of vampirism is immense. Your statistics will return to normal, your sunlight vulnerability will vanish, and non-player character interactions will return to their previous state. You will no longer be forced to feed on blood to survive. You can once again walk freely under the sun.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with meticulous planning, problems can arise. Sometimes, quest bugs can prevent ingredients from registering correctly. If this happens, try dropping and picking up the ingredients again or reloading an earlier save.
Dealing with aggressive non-player characters can be difficult. If you find that NPCs are consistently hostile, even after being cured, you may need to pay off your bounty or improve your reputation through quests and donations.
Accidentally contracting vampirism again is a possibility. If you are bitten by a vampire, immediately use a Cure Disease potion or cast a Cure Disease spell to prevent the infection from taking hold.
As a last resort, you can use console commands to fix bugs or complete quests. However, be extremely careful when using console commands, as they can potentially corrupt your game save. Use them only when absolutely necessary and after backing up your save file.
Conclusion
Curing vampirism in Oblivion is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By following this comprehensive guide, you can navigate the quest successfully and reclaim your mortal life. Carefully consider the pros and cons of vampirism before embarking on this path. While the power and abilities are tempting, the vulnerabilities and societal consequences may ultimately outweigh the benefits. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or return to the light, remember to explore all that Oblivion has to offer. This world is rich with adventure, and a curse should not be the end of your journey.