Oblivion Remastered: The Ultimate Guide to Curing Vampirism

Imagine this: You’re venturing through the beautiful, yet dangerous, world of Cyrodiil in *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*. You’re battling creatures of the night, exploring ancient ruins, and generally living the adventurer’s dream. Then, you realize something’s not quite right. You’re weaker in the sunlight, NPCs glare at you with suspicion, and you’re developing a thirst… a *terrible* thirst. Congratulations (or perhaps condolences), you’ve contracted vampirism.

*Oblivion*, a game cherished for its open-world exploration, deep lore, and challenging quests, can quickly become a nightmare when your character succumbs to the affliction of vampirism. And with the prospect of *Oblivion Remastered* on the horizon, bringing improved graphics and potentially gameplay enhancements, the visual and mechanical challenges of being a vampire will likely be amplified, making the quest for an *Oblivion Remastered Vampire Cure* even more crucial for many players.

This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to navigating the treacherous path to curing vampirism in *Oblivion*, specifically tailored for players experiencing this classic game in its potentially remastered form. We’ll cover everything from understanding the mechanics of vampirism to detailing each step of the arduous Vampire Cure quest. Don’t despair; salvation is within reach, even if the sun burns your undead skin!

Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion

Before diving headfirst into the quest for the *Oblivion Remastered Vampire Cure*, it’s essential to understand how vampirism works in *Oblivion*. This isn’t just a simple disease; it’s a complex affliction with multiple stages and profound consequences.

The Initial Infection: Porphyric Hemophilia

Vampirism begins with contracting Porphyric Hemophilia, a disease transmitted primarily through combat with vampires. Each time you’re struck by a vampire’s attack, there’s a chance you’ll become infected. Don’t dismiss this as a minor ailment! You have only three in-game days to cure Porphyric Hemophilia with a Cure Disease potion or at a temple. After those three days, you’ll officially transform into a vampire.

The Stages of Vampirism: A Gradual Transformation

Once the transformation is complete, your vampirism will progress through four distinct stages. Each stage is marked by increasingly severe buffs and debuffs. These include increased strength, speed, and agility but also amplified weaknesses to sunlight and negative reactions from NPCs.

At the initial stage, the penalties are relatively minor. However, as you progress through the stages, the negative effects become crippling. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will inflict significant damage, making daytime travel incredibly dangerous. NPCs will refuse to interact with you, forcing you to rely on stealth and deception. Visually, your character will become increasingly gaunt, with pale skin and sunken eyes.

The Double-Edged Sword: Advantages and Disadvantages

Being a vampire in *Oblivion* isn’t entirely bad. Vampires gain access to potent abilities, including increased strength, speed, and acrobatics. They also gain resistance to disease and paralysis. Moreover, vampires gain unique powers. At stage four, they can turn invisible for a short period.

However, the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits for most players. The sunlight weakness alone makes playing the game exceedingly difficult. The negative NPC reactions severely limit your ability to complete quests and interact with the world. The constant need to feed on blood to stave off the worst effects of vampirism adds another layer of micromanagement. And in an *Oblivion Remastered* version, the visual detriments of vampirism – the pale skin, the haunted eyes – will likely be rendered with even greater fidelity, making the quest for a cure all the more appealing.

The Quest for the Oblivion Remastered Vampire Cure: A Detailed Walkthrough

Now, let’s get down to business. Curing vampirism in *Oblivion* is not a simple task. It’s a lengthy and challenging quest that requires dedication, resourcefulness, and a good deal of travel. But fear not! This step-by-step guide will lead you to salvation.

Finding a Healer: The First Step

Your journey begins by seeking guidance from a Temple Healer. Travel to any major city with a temple (such as Chorrol or Anvil) and speak to the resident healer. They’ll be unable to cure you directly but will instead advise you to seek out Raminus Polus at the Arcane University in the Imperial City.

Consulting the Expert: Raminus Polus

Head to the Arcane University and find Raminus Polus. He will inform you that a cure for vampirism exists but is exceedingly rare and complex. He directs the player to the Count of Skingrad, Hassildor.

The Count’s Secret: Hassildor of Skingrad

Travel to Skingrad and find Count Hassildor. You’ll quickly discover that the Count himself is a vampire. He will eventually agree to help you, but only if you fulfill a task for him. He tasks you with seeking out a witch named Melisande.

Gathering the Ingredients: A Lengthy Shopping List

Melisande requires you to gather a variety of rare and unusual ingredients. This is the most time-consuming part of the quest, so prepare for some serious exploration and resource gathering. You’ll need the following:

• Bloodgrass: This crimson plant grows in the hellish realms of Oblivion. You’ll need to find an Oblivion gate (they appear randomly throughout Cyrodiil) and venture inside. Bloodgrass is relatively common near the gate’s entrance.
• Argonian Blood: This is perhaps the most ethically challenging ingredient. You’ll need to obtain blood from an Argonian. You could kill one, but there are less murderous options. Persuasion or pickpocketing might work, depending on your skills.
• Grand Soul Gem (Filled): A filled Grand Soul Gem is essential for the ritual. You can buy empty Grand Soul Gems from mages’ guilds or general goods stores. To fill one, you’ll need a Soul Trap spell or enchanted weapon and a powerful creature with a grand soul (such as a Minotaur Lord or a Dremora Lord). Cast Soul Trap on the creature before killing it, and its soul will be transferred to the gem.
• Garlic (Six): Thankfully, Garlic is much easier to find. You can purchase it from ingredient vendors or find it growing in gardens.
• Nightshade (Two): Nightshade is a poisonous plant, and it can be found in graveyards and other dark places.
• Doomstones (Five): Doomstones are large, standing stones scattered throughout Cyrodiil. Their locations are marked on the in-game map.

Brewing the Cure: Melisande’s Magic

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, return to Melisande. Give her the items, and she will begin brewing the cure. She will ask you to wait hours for her to make the cure.

The Moment of Truth: Drinking the Potion

After the potion is made, Melisande will give you the vampire cure, ending the quest.

Tips and Tricks for a Smoother Journey

The quest for the *Oblivion Remastered Vampire Cure* can be daunting, but these tips will make it easier:

• Level Up: A higher character level will make combat and persuasion attempts easier. Aim for at least level ten before starting the quest.
• Prepare for Oblivion: Stock up on healing potions and weapons effective against Daedra before entering Oblivion gates to gather Bloodgrass.
• Fast Travel Wisely: Utilize the fast travel system to minimize travel time, especially when collecting Doomstones.
• Save Frequently: Save your game often, especially before attempting risky actions like pickpocketing or entering Oblivion gates.

Life After the Cure: Returning to Normal

Once you’ve drunk the cure, the effects of vampirism will be reversed. Your attributes will return to normal, and NPCs will no longer shun you. You’ll be able to walk in the sunlight without fear.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. Here are some solutions to common problems:

• Can’t Find an Ingredient: Check multiple vendors, explore different areas, and consider using the console commands (if available) as a last resort.
• Quest Bugged: Try reloading an earlier save or consult online forums for potential bug fixes.

Oblivion Remastered: A Better Experience?

The prospect of an *Oblivion Remastered* edition offers several exciting possibilities for the Vampire Cure quest. Improved graphics could make ingredient hunting more visually appealing. Enhanced performance could reduce loading times, making travel more efficient. New features, such as a revamped fast travel system, could streamline the entire quest.

Conclusion: Embrace the Mortal Life Once More

Curing vampirism in *Oblivion*, especially in a potentially enhanced *Oblivion Remastered* version, is a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the dangers and obstacles that stand between you and a return to the mortal realm. So, embrace the challenge, gather your ingredients, and prepare to see the sun rise without fear once again. Now go forth, cure yourself, and return to enjoying all that Cyrodiil has to offer! Have you gone through the vampire quest? Share your stories!