Introduction
Remember that first encounter with a creature of the night, its eyes burning with unnatural hunger? Or perhaps the creeping realization that the sun felt a little too harsh, the townsfolk a little too wary? Vampirism in *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* is not merely a status effect; it’s a transformative experience, a descent into a shadowy world of power, vulnerability, and moral compromise. This article delves into the intricate mechanics, the enticing advantages, and the daunting drawbacks of embracing the life of a vampire in the province of Cyrodiil.
Vampirism, a persistent and pervasive element throughout the Elder Scrolls series, finds a particularly compelling and well-developed form within *Oblivion*. From the initial, almost accidental infection to the desperate search for a cure, the player’s journey through the stages of vampirism is filled with choices that shape not only their character but their entire gameplay experience.
Vampirism in *Oblivion* is a complex and engaging gameplay element, offering both significant advantages and challenging drawbacks, ultimately creating a unique and memorable experience for players willing to embrace the shadows. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer seeking new challenges or a newcomer curious about the darker paths available, this guide aims to illuminate the path of the vampire in *Oblivion*.
Contracting the Thirst: The Beginning of the End
The road to becoming a creature of the night begins with Porphyric Hemophilia, a virulent disease spread primarily through combat with vampires. Exploring the crypts, caves, and forgotten ruins of Cyrodiil often leads to encounters with these nocturnal predators. The allure of valuable loot and the thrill of combat must be weighed against the risk of contracting this debilitating disease. Every swing of a vampire’s claw carries the potential to transform your destiny.
The initial symptoms of Porphyric Hemophilia are subtle, almost easily dismissed. Minor attribute damage might be attributed to simple fatigue or the lingering effects of poison. However, these small debuffs serve as a crucial warning sign. Over the next seventy-two hours, the disease incubates, slowly taking hold of your character. During this period, the player has a choice: seek a cure or embrace the transformation.
Fortunately, curing Porphyric Hemophilia in its early stages is relatively straightforward. Potions of Cure Disease, readily available at alchemists throughout Cyrodiil, offer a quick and easy solution. Alternatively, a visit to a temple and a sincere prayer at an altar dedicated to the divines can purge the disease from your system. However, some players, drawn to the forbidden power that vampirism promises, might deliberately ignore these early warning signs, choosing instead to let the disease run its course. This conscious decision marks the true beginning of their vampire journey.
A Creature is Born: The Transformation and Its Stages
The moment of transformation is not a grand, cinematic event. It occurs silently, in the dark hours of the night, after the player has slept for the first time following the seventy-two-hour incubation period. Upon awakening, they are no longer the same. Their eyes burn with a newfound intensity, their skin pales, and they begin to experience both the exhilarating power and the crippling weaknesses of a vampire.
Vampirism in *Oblivion* is not a static state; it evolves through four distinct stages, each reflecting the vampire’s growing thirst and their success (or failure) in sating it. The less the vampire feeds, the further they progress through these stages, and each stage comes with its own unique balance of benefits and drawbacks.
The first stage is the most manageable, offering a taste of the vampire’s newfound abilities without crippling social consequences. As the vampire progresses to the second, third, and fourth stages, their powers grow stronger, but so does their weakness to sunlight and the negative reactions they receive from the general populace.
A core mechanic that defines the vampire experience is the need to feed. In *Oblivion*, vampires must feed on sleeping NPCs to quench their thirst and maintain a manageable level of vampirism. This involves sneaking into homes, taverns, or inns under the cover of darkness and using a special “feed” action on a sleeping victim. The act of feeding is a morally complex one, forcing the player to confront the consequences of their choices. Does one prioritize personal power and survival over the well-being of innocent civilians? The answer to this question shapes the player’s roleplaying experience as a vampire. The consequences of failing to feed are dire, leading to increased vulnerability to sunlight and growing hostility from NPCs.
Power and Peril: Strengths and Weaknesses
The allure of vampirism lies in the powerful advantages it bestows upon the player. Vampires gain significant boosts to their attributes, including Strength, Speed, and Agility, making them formidable warriors. They also develop a resistance to disease and poison, allowing them to traverse the treacherous landscapes of Cyrodiil with greater impunity.
Furthermore, vampires gain access to a range of unique skills and abilities. Night Eye allows them to see clearly in the dark, making exploration of dungeons and crypts much easier. Charm grants them an advantage in social interactions, at least until their vampiric nature becomes too obvious. Invisibility allows them to move undetected, making them masters of stealth. And the Embrace of Shadows, a powerful self-invisibility spell, offers a means of escaping even the most dangerous situations. Furthermore, Vampires level their skills much faster than the average citizen of Cyrodiil.
However, the path of the vampire is fraught with peril. The most significant drawback is the vulnerability to sunlight. During daylight hours, vampires suffer continuous damage, making outdoor exploration a dangerous proposition. The severity of this damage increases with each stage of vampirism, forcing the player to carefully plan their movements and seek shelter during the day.
Adding to this physical vulnerability is the social stigma associated with vampirism. As a vampire progresses through the stages of thirst, their appearance becomes increasingly gaunt and unnatural, causing NPCs to react with fear and hostility. Shopkeepers refuse to trade, guards become suspicious, and completing quests becomes significantly more difficult. This negative relationship with NPCs can severely impact the player’s ability to progress through the game, forcing them to rely on stealth, deception, or outright violence to achieve their goals. Fire becomes a weakness as well, and as such a common magic type, this can be a death sentence.
Living in the Shadows: The Vampire Roleplaying Experience
Becoming a vampire fundamentally alters the way one experiences *Oblivion*. Suddenly, the rhythm of day and night takes on a new significance. The player must carefully manage their feeding habits, plan their activities around the rising and setting of the sun, and navigate social interactions with a newfound sense of caution.
The vampire’s character build may also be altered. Skills like Sneak and Illusion become more valuable, while skills like Restoration and Destruction (particularly fire-based spells) become less appealing. The Dark Brotherhood questline, with its emphasis on stealth and assassination, becomes a natural fit for a vampire character. The role-playing can bring many hours of enjoyment.
Seeking Redemption: The Quest for a Cure
For those who tire of the vampire’s curse, a path to redemption exists, though it is long and arduous. The quest for a cure begins with a rumor, whispered in hushed tones in taverns and temples: a wealthy Count in Skingrad, afflicted with a similar ailment, might know a way to reverse the transformation.
This leads the player to Count Hassildor, a reclusive and enigmatic figure who dwells within the fortified walls of Skingrad. He reveals that he seeks a cure not for himself, but for his wife. He tasks the player with gathering rare ingredients and performing a complex ritual. The quest is fraught with danger, requiring the player to venture into vampire-infested lairs, confront powerful necromancers, and navigate treacherous political intrigues.
The relief of finally curing vampirism is palpable, but it is often tinged with regret. The vampire relinquishes their newfound powers, returning to the world of mortals, but they also lose the unique perspective and the dark allure that came with their transformation.
Comparing Thirsts: Vampirism Across the Elder Scrolls
Vampirism has been a recurring feature throughout the Elder Scrolls series, but its implementation in *Oblivion* stands out for its depth and complexity. Compared to the simpler mechanics of *Morrowind*, *Oblivion*’s vampirism offers a more nuanced and immersive experience. While *Skyrim* introduced vampire lords and more dynamic feeding mechanics, *Oblivion*’s stage-based progression and the unique quest for a cure give it a distinct flavor. Even *The Elder Scrolls Online* pales in comparison.
Conclusion: Embrace the Darkness?
Vampirism in *Oblivion* is more than just a gameplay mechanic; it’s a transformative journey that challenges players to embrace the darkness, confront their morality, and adapt to a world seen through the eyes of a creature of the night. The unique combination of advantages and disadvantages, the intricate feeding mechanics, and the compelling quest for a cure all contribute to a memorable and rewarding experience. The skills, story, and danger are a recipe for a wonderful time.
The thirst in Cyrodiil is a powerful force, capable of reshaping not only your character but your entire gameplay experience. Will you embrace the eternal night in your next playthrough of *Oblivion*, or will you choose to remain in the light? The choice, as always, is yours. The unique experience is like none other.
