Cure Vampirism Oblivion: Your Definitive Guide to Freedom from the Undead Curse

Understanding the Undead Curse in Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. A world of sprawling landscapes, perilous dungeons, and a vast array of choices. As you traverse Cyrodiil, encountering everything from noble knights to mischievous Daedra, one unfortunate fate can befall even the most seasoned adventurer: vampirism. This undead affliction, while offering certain advantages, also presents a litany of disadvantages that can severely impact your gameplay experience. But fear not, for there is a path to freedom. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to cure vampirism Oblivion, granting you the chance to reclaim your humanity and fully embrace the sun-drenched world once more.

The Path to Becoming a Creature of the Night

Contracting vampirism isn’t something you choose; it’s a consequence of encountering a creature of the night. Specifically, it begins with exposure to a disease called Sanguinare Vampiris. This disease is carried by vampires, and if you are attacked and infected by one, you have a chance to contract it.

During the incubation phase, you might not immediately realize you’ve been infected. Early symptoms can include fatigue, weakness to the sun, and a gradual decline in attributes. Over time, the symptoms become more pronounced, and if left untreated, these symptoms will turn into full-fledged vampirism. The transformation doesn’t happen overnight. This incubation period is crucial to identify the symptoms.

Once the transformation is complete, you are a vampire. You are now bound by the sun’s rays and will begin to see the full effects of this affliction.

Embracing the Night’s Gifts

While vampirism comes with significant drawbacks, it also bestows certain benefits upon those who embrace the darkness. These are primarily centered around boosts to your physical and magical capabilities. Vampires often gain increased strength, willpower, agility, and speed. They also gain resistances to certain types of damage, such as frost and disease. Furthermore, they gain the ability to use some special abilities like Chameleon and Night Vision, and some inherent weaknesses. These can be beneficial, particularly for characters who are focused on combat or stealth, and the right build can exploit these advantages.

The Price of the Undead Existence

The advantages of vampirism are accompanied by significant limitations. The most prominent of these is a debilitating weakness to sunlight. When exposed to the sun, vampires experience damage to their health, fatigue, and other attributes. This restricts their movement during the day and limits their combat effectiveness. Moreover, vampires are highly vulnerable to fire, and are subject to social consequences.

NPCs, especially guards and commoners, will react negatively to your vampiric condition. They may flee in terror, refuse to interact with you, or even attack on sight. This can make it difficult to complete quests, purchase goods, or simply navigate the world.

The Feeding Ritual

Vampires must regularly feed on the blood of sleeping NPCs to maintain their strength and mitigate the negative effects of their condition. The longer a vampire goes without feeding, the more powerful their abilities become, but the more detrimental their weaknesses are. Feeding allows vampires to maintain a “lower” stage, minimizing these weaknesses and enhancing their ability to travel the world. The process of feeding involves sneaking into homes, waiting for the inhabitants to fall asleep, and draining their blood while they slumber. This can be a morally questionable activity, but it is often a necessary one.

The Different Stages of the Affliction

As a vampire goes longer without feeding, they progress through several stages. In the earlier stages, they maintain their strength. However, as time passes without feeding, their weaknesses, like their susceptibility to sunlight and fire, will be magnified. Their attributes will also decline. The higher the stage, the greater the risks. Each stage brings with it increasing impairments in daylight and increased susceptibility to fire.

Why Seek the Cure? The Call of the Dawn

While the lure of undead power can be tempting, the limitations of vampirism often outweigh the benefits. Curing the affliction will free you from the sun’s oppressive rays, allowing you to explore the world without fear. It will also significantly improve your interactions with NPCs, opening up quest lines and merchants. It will also mitigate your weaknesses and allow you to be a more flexible character. For many players, the freedom and convenience of being a “normal” character far outweigh the advantages of vampirism.

Embarking on the Quest to Mend Your Humanity

The quest to cure vampirism Oblivion isn’t something you’ll stumble upon randomly. It is a specific quest that requires you to take action. The quest is titled “Seeking Your Roots” and can be initiated at the appropriate time.

The Starting Point

The first step toward curing vampirism involves seeking out a man of the cloth, a priest in the town of Skingrad. This marks the beginning of your journey. This initial consultation will provide you with information you need to proceed to the next step.

Seek Counsel in the Arcane University

Your next step involves seeking out a knowledgeable figure. Your quest will lead you to the Arcane University. The specific individual you need to speak with is Raminus Polus.

After you find Raminus, you will receive important information. He will point you in the direction of the next vital step in your cure. He will explain that he cannot help directly, but he can set you on the correct course.

A Word with the Vampire Lord

The next step in the quest for a cure is to seek out a Vampire Lord. The vampire you will need to speak with is Janus Hassildor, in Skingrad. To find Hassildor, you must locate him at his home, and be patient, as finding him can take time.

He will provide you with a list of ingredients you must gather to concoct the potion needed to complete the cure. This will take you through several challenges.

The Necessary Ingredients: Assembling the Cure

The cure for vampirism requires several unique ingredients. Each one is acquired through specific means and presents a unique challenge.

The Black Soul Gem

One of the essential ingredients is a Black Soul Gem. This powerful artifact is capable of trapping the souls of sentient beings. The best way to obtain one is to craft it yourself. You will need to gather a grand soul gem and take it to a Shrine of Sithis. Using the shrine will corrupt the gem and turn it into a Black Soul Gem, the key to obtaining one of the required ingredients. You will also need to find a means of trapping the soul of a sentient being.

Dust of a Powerful Vampire

Another key ingredient is the Dust of a Powerful Vampire. This rare component can be obtained by eliminating a powerful vampire and collecting the dust. Finding a suitable target can be a challenge in itself. The dust represents the essence of a vampire and it is a difficult ingredient to get, but necessary for the cure.

Nightshade

Then, you’ll need Nightshade, a common plant. It’s easy to find if you are looking for it. It can be found in the wilderness, or sometimes purchased from alchemists. It’s the easy part of the recipe, but it is still necessary for the cure.

The Blood of an Argonian

Finally, and perhaps most disturbing, you need a sample of the Blood of an Argonian. The process of gathering the blood can vary, but you will need to locate an Argonian and obtain a sample of their blood. This component is the final piece of the recipe and critical to your success.

Returning to the Vampire Lord: A Final Request

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to return to Janus Hassildor. Return to his home in Skingrad and explain your progress.

After providing the ingredients, the vampire lord will set you on your final path toward restoring your humanity.

The Final Step: Undertaking the Ritual

Janus will provide you with the final steps, sending you to perform the ritual that will finally cure you. The specific location will depend on the directions provided.

You will need to perform the ritual at the specified location. Once complete, you will feel the effects of the cure and be free.

Reclaiming Your Humanity: After the Ritual

Once the ritual is completed, you must confirm that the cure has taken hold. This can be done by testing the sunlight to find if it affects you.

You will want to check NPC reactions. If they no longer flee or attack you, then you have been cured. If you still have negative interactions with NPCs, then the cure may have failed.

Embracing the Benefits of the Cure

You will now be free to roam the world without the penalties associated with the curse. You will also have access to the full set of questlines, merchants, and gameplay mechanics. Your freedom will be restored.

Some Considerations

Once cured, there is currently no easy way to contract the disease. There is no guarantee that a vampire would even bite you, so you will likely need to be careful about contracting it again.

Tips and Tricks for the Journey

Before you start, consider the following. There are ways to reduce the disadvantages of being a vampire. A character may be able to survive by the use of potions and spells. If you are looking to get the cure, make sure you are prepared.

Useful Items

Carry potions that give you a resistance to fire to assist you while you are out during the day.

Minimizing Effects

To mitigate the effects of vampirism, ensure you have enough potions or have found potions that can help you while out during the day.

Conclusion: A New Dawn

The journey to cure vampirism Oblivion is not without its challenges, but the reward – the restoration of your humanity and the freedom to explore the world without restriction – is well worth the effort. By following these steps and gathering the necessary ingredients, you can break free from the undead curse and once again experience the sun-drenched beauty of Cyrodiil. Embrace the adventure, overcome the obstacles, and step into a new dawn, reborn and free. Take back control of your character, and reclaim your destiny!