Introduction
Picture this: You’re deep within Cyrodiil, exploring a forgotten crypt, lured by the promise of ancient treasures. You stumble upon a den of vampires, and after a fierce battle, you emerge victorious, albeit scratched and weary. Little do you know, you’ve contracted Sanguinare Vampiris, the disease that will transform you into a creature of the night. The initial stages might seem appealing – enhanced strength, increased speed, a newfound power. But soon, the drawbacks become unbearable: the scorching agony of sunlight, the growing thirst for blood, the chilling realization that you’re becoming a monster. If this sounds familiar, or if you’re simply preparing yourself for a potential Oblivion Remastered experience, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown on how to embrace, survive, and ultimately find the Oblivion Remastered Cure Vampirism.
As the anticipation for a potential Oblivion Remastered grows, many veteran players are already reminiscing, and new players are looking forward to the unique challenges that the game presents. One of the most memorable, and often frustrating, experiences is contracting Vampirism. The purpose of this article is to serve as a definitive resource for anyone looking to understand, manage, and cure vampirism in Oblivion Remastered. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the world of Cyrodiil, understanding the intricacies of vampirism and how to find a cure is crucial to your enjoyment of the game.
Many brave souls are drawn to the darkness for the power it grants, or perhaps even accidentally stumble into it. What starts as a fun game to play soon becomes a horrifying trial as the curse of vampirism takes hold. The good news? A cure exists, and with careful preparation and guidance, you can reclaim your mortal life and walk in the sun once more.
Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion
The key to successfully addressing vampirism lies in understanding its origins, its progression, and its various effects. It all begins with a single, infected bite.
How to Contract Vampirism
The disease that leads to vampirism in Oblivion Remastered, and the original, is called Sanguinare Vampiris. You contract it through combat with vampires. Each time a vampire attacks you with its melee weapons, there is a chance you’ll be infected with the disease. The trick to preventing full blown vampirism is timing.
The initial infection isn’t immediately apparent. There’s an incubation period of three in-game days. During this time, you’ll experience mild symptoms, such as unsettling dreams and a slight unease. However, if you fail to address the disease within this window, you’ll awaken on the third night as a full-fledged vampire.
The Stages of Vampirism
Vampirism progresses through four distinct stages, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As you advance through these stages, your vampiric powers become stronger, but so too does your vulnerability to sunlight and the animosity of ordinary citizens.
At stage one, you’ll gain increased strength, speed, and agility, making you a formidable opponent in combat. However, you’ll also develop a weakness to sunlight, experiencing reduced health and magicka regeneration when exposed to the sun’s rays.
As you progress to higher stages, the benefits intensify. Your physical attributes are further enhanced, and you gain access to powerful spells and abilities, such as the ability to turn invisible or charm weaker minds. But the drawbacks also become more severe. Sunlight becomes increasingly debilitating, and NPCs will begin to react negatively to your presence, refusing to trade or offer services. At the final stage, only your fellow vampires will tolerate your presence.
Crucially, the stage of vampirism you are in is determined by how recently you’ve fed on a living being. Failing to quench your thirst pushes you towards the later, more powerful, but also more difficult stages.
The Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Being a Vampire
The allure of vampirism lies in the power it offers. Increased strength, speed, and agility make you a formidable warrior, capable of dispatching enemies with ease. Resistance to disease becomes a welcome advantage in the swamps and ruins of Cyrodiil. Furthermore, as you progress through the stages, you gain access to powerful spells and abilities that can turn the tide of battle.
However, the drawbacks are significant. The weakness to sunlight is a constant burden, forcing you to restrict your travels to the night hours or seek shelter indoors during the day. The need to feed on blood is a constant reminder of your monstrous nature. And the growing hostility of ordinary citizens can make it difficult to interact with the world, preventing you from completing quests, buying supplies, or simply enjoying the company of others.
The choice to embrace or cure vampirism in Oblivion Remastered ultimately depends on your play style and your willingness to balance power with consequence.
The Cure: The “Cure for Vampirism” Quest
If you’ve decided that the drawbacks of vampirism outweigh the benefits, then you’ll need to embark on a challenging quest to find a cure. This quest is not for the faint of heart, requiring you to travel to remote locations, battle dangerous creatures, and gather rare ingredients.
Initiating the Quest
The “Cure for Vampirism” quest begins by seeking information from knowledgeable individuals. Rumors circulate throughout Cyrodiil about a potential cure, but the most reliable source of information is Raminus Polus at the Arcane University in the Imperial City. However, he will only speak of it after you have reached a certain rank in the Mage’s Guild.
Once you have spoken with Raminus Polus, he will direct you to Count Janus Hassildor of Skingrad, a secretive nobleman who is rumored to possess knowledge of vampirism. Count Hassildor, a vampire himself, is willing to help you, but only if you agree to assist him in a related matter.
Gathering the Ingredients
Count Hassildor tasks you with gathering several rare ingredients needed for the cure. These ingredients are scattered throughout Cyrodiil, and obtaining them will require careful planning and a willingness to explore dangerous locations.
First, you’ll need six cloves of Garlic. This ingredient is relatively easy to find, as it is commonly used in cooking and can be purchased from merchants or found in homes and taverns. Second, you’ll need Bloodgrass. This eerie plant grows only in the planes of Oblivion, requiring you to brave the dangers of those hellish realms.
Third, you’ll need the blood of an argonian. The easiest way to get this is simply finding a friendly argonian. Alternatively, you could harvest it from an unfriendly argonian. Each path has its own moral consequences.
Fourth, you’ll need the ashes of a powerful vampire named Hindaril. This vampire resides in the dungeon of Hindaril, a remote location filled with traps and other undead creatures. Defeating Hindaril will require careful planning and a powerful arsenal of weapons and spells.
Finally, you must find six Nightshade flowers, which tend to grow in graveyards.
Completing the Ritual
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, return to Count Hassildor in Skingrad. He will perform a complex ritual that will hopefully reverse the effects of vampirism. The ritual is long and arduous, requiring you to remain still and focused while Count Hassildor chants arcane incantations.
If the ritual is successful, you will be cured of vampirism, returning to your mortal form. You will once again be able to walk in the sunlight without fear, and NPCs will once again treat you with respect.
Dealing with Optional Steps/Branches
The “Cure for Vampirism” quest offers few alternative paths. The core steps of gathering ingredients and performing the ritual remain the same. However, you may encounter optional challenges or opportunities along the way.
For example, you may choose to seek assistance from other mages or alchemists in gathering the ingredients, potentially shortening the quest or gaining valuable insights. You may also encounter moral dilemmas, such as whether to steal the blood of an Argonian or seek it through other means. Your choices will affect your reputation and potentially alter the outcome of the quest.
Preventing Vampirism
Prevention is always better than cure. While the “Cure for Vampirism” quest is ultimately achievable, it is a challenging and time-consuming endeavor. It is therefore wise to take steps to prevent contracting vampirism in the first place.
Resist Disease
The best way to avoid becoming a vampire is to resist the Sanguinare Vampiris disease before it takes hold. Fortifying your natural defenses with the “Resist Disease” effect is one of the best ways to accomplish this.
One common path is potions. Many alchemists sell them, or you can craft your own. Also, some spells have the “resist disease” effect. Finally, Argonians have a natural immunity to disease, which makes them naturally resistant to becoming vampires.
Cure Disease
If you are bitten by a vampire and contract Sanguinare Vampiris, you have three in-game days to cure the disease before it transforms you into a vampire. During this time, you can use “Cure Disease” potions or spells to eliminate the infection. “Cure Disease” potions can be purchased from merchants or crafted using alchemy. “Cure Disease” spells can be learned from spell vendors or found in scrolls.
It is wise to carry “Cure Disease” potions at all times, especially when exploring areas known to be infested with vampires. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing the full transformation.
Vampirism in the Remaster (Speculative)
The possibility of an Oblivion Remastered brings with it the hope of enhancements and improvements to the original game. One can expect visual updates such as more detailed character models to better display the effects of vampirism.
Potential Changes in the Remaster
The Oblivion Remastered Cure Vampirism quest could see some changes to reflect current game design. Perhaps the ritual for curing it could be expanded with more steps or puzzles. Regardless, the core gameplay should remain the same.
Mods and Community Solutions
If the Oblivion Remastered does not bring the improvements or changes that some players desire, the Oblivion modding community will still be a wonderful place to find new solutions. Should bugs or glitches remain in the game, the modding community will have great fixes for it. And, if the vampirism quests are not to the liking of some, there are undoubtedly mods that will allow for customization to the vampirism mechanic.
Conclusion
Vampirism in Oblivion, and potentially Oblivion Remastered, is a double-edged sword. It offers immense power and unique abilities, but at a significant cost. The weakness to sunlight, the need to feed on blood, and the growing animosity of ordinary citizens can make life as a vampire challenging. However, the “Cure for Vampirism” quest offers a path to redemption, allowing you to reclaim your mortal life and walk in the sun once more.
Ultimately, the choice to embrace or cure vampirism in Oblivion Remastered is a personal one. Consider the benefits and drawbacks carefully, and choose the path that best suits your play style and your vision for your character. Whether you embrace the darkness or seek the light, the world of Cyrodiil offers endless opportunities for adventure.
Now that you know the steps to cure vampirism in Oblivion Remastered, what steps are you going to take to prevent contracting the disease? Please share in the comments!
