Introduction
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The very name conjures images of Cyrodiil’s lush landscapes, the imposing towers of the Imperial City, and the ever-present threat of Oblivion Gates spewing forth Daedric horrors. For many, it was a defining moment in open-world RPGs, a game that swallowed countless hours and fueled endless adventures. The rumors swirling around a potential Oblivion Remastered have ignited the community, sparking debates about what should be improved, what should be left untouched, and how this new coat of paint will impact the core experience. One aspect, often both dreaded and sought after, is the curse of vampirism, and the arduous quest to find a cure.
If Oblivion is remastered, the already challenging vampire cure quest will likely be re-examined and potentially tweaked, prompting both veterans and newcomers to seek it out. This article will delve into the intricacies of vampirism in the original game, dissect the steps required to achieve salvation, speculate on potential changes in a remastered version, and offer invaluable tips to navigate the dangers that lie between you and permanent daylight. Prepare yourself, for the night is long, and the cure may be even longer.
Embracing the Shadows: The Nature of Vampirism in Cyrodiil
Vampirism in Oblivion isn’t merely a cosmetic change; it’s a transformative journey that impacts your character on a fundamental level. It begins subtly, with the contraction of Sanguinare Vampiris, a disease spread by the bloodied claws and fangs of the undead. Unlike a simple cold, this disease, if left untreated for three in-game days, irrevocably transforms your character into a creature of the night. You’re no longer simply adventuring in Cyrodiil; you’re forced to adapt to it, under the oppressive weight of your new condition.
The progression of vampirism unfolds in distinct stages, each more potent than the last. Starting at stage one, the changes are relatively manageable. However, as you abstain from feeding on the blood of the living, the severity of your affliction intensifies, culminating in stage four, where the drawbacks become almost unbearable.
Vampirism grants certain advantages, a cruel reward for sacrificing your humanity. Your strength, speed, and agility are enhanced, making you a formidable force in combat, especially under the cloak of darkness. You become resistant to common diseases and paralysis, lessening the sting of poisoned traps and venomous creatures. The ability to cast potent spells like Vampiric Drain allows you to leech the life force from your enemies, sustaining your own existence.
However, the benefits come at a steep price. The burning kiss of the sun becomes your greatest enemy. As you progress through the stages of vampirism, your vulnerability to sunlight increases dramatically, causing significant health damage while exposed. Fire becomes a terrifying threat, exacerbating the pain and accelerating your demise. Perhaps the most insidious drawback is the change in NPC behavior. As your thirst intensifies, so does the animosity of Cyrodiil’s inhabitants. Guards will refuse service, shopkeepers will slam their doors, and even your closest companions will regard you with fear and disgust.
The cumulative effect of these detriments often drives players to seek a cure. While the augmented powers are tempting, the limitations imposed by sunlight, fire, and social isolation can severely hamper your ability to explore, quest, and simply enjoy the world. The desire to return to normalcy, to walk freely under the sun without fear, becomes a powerful motivator.
The Long and Winding Road: A Guide to the Original Vampire Cure
The quest to eradicate vampirism is one of the most complex and time-consuming in Oblivion. It’s not a simple matter of chugging a potion; it requires dedication, meticulous planning, and a willingness to delve into the darkest corners of Cyrodiil.
The journey begins with a whispered rumor, a hushed tale of a possible cure. Seek out Raminus Polus at the Arcane University, a scholar known for his expertise in mystical matters. He will direct you to Count Hassildor of Skingrad, a reclusive noble rumored to possess knowledge of vampirism.
Count Hassildor is unlike any other vampire you’ve encountered. He has managed to partially control his affliction, but he remains trapped in a perpetual state of twilight. He reveals that he seeks a permanent cure, not for himself, but to ensure that the curse never again plagues his lineage. He tasks you with gathering a series of rare and peculiar ingredients, essential for creating a potent concoction.
The list is long and demanding. First, you must collect six cloves of garlic. While seemingly mundane, finding enough garlic can be surprisingly challenging, requiring you to scour abandoned homes, raid food cellars, and potentially even engage in a bit of light thievery. Next, you need to harvest five samples of Bloodgrass, a crimson vegetation that grows only within the realms of Oblivion. This requires venturing through dangerous Oblivion Gates, braving the treacherous landscapes and battling the Daedric hordes that inhabit them. You will also need to find Dwarf Bread, a remarkably rare and resilient type of fungus cultivated by the long-vanished Dwemer. Locating this elusive item may require extensive exploration and bartering with eccentric merchants.
Perhaps the most ethically questionable ingredient is Argonian Blood. You must find a willing Argonian to donate a sample of their blood for the potion. Persuasion, bribery, or perhaps even a carefully worded lie may be necessary to convince them to assist you. The final ingredient is the Ashes of Hindaril, a long-dead mage whose research contributed to the vampire cure. To obtain these ashes, you must navigate a perilous cave teeming with undead creatures, overcome traps, and ultimately defeat the powerful necromancer guarding the tomb.
Once you have gathered all the necessary components, return to Count Hassildor. He will reveal the final secret: the recipe for the cure. You must then use an alchemy table to brew the potion, carefully following the instructions to avoid failure. If successful, you can finally consume the concoction and break the curse of vampirism, returning to your former self.
The Vampire Cure quest presents numerous challenges. Some of the ingredients are notoriously difficult to find, requiring extensive exploration and patience. The caves and Oblivion Gates you must traverse are filled with dangerous enemies that can easily overwhelm unprepared adventurers. The moral implications of acquiring the Argonian Blood can also weigh heavily on your conscience, forcing you to confront the darker aspects of your quest.
Oblivion Remastered: Dawn or Dusk for the Vampire Cure?
The prospect of an Oblivion Remastered brings with it a wave of speculation about potential changes to the game, including the Vampire Cure quest. What impact might these updates have on the already challenging journey to reclaim your humanity?
Improved graphics and visual fidelity could significantly impact the search for ingredients. Bloodgrass, for example, might become more easily identifiable in the vibrant Oblivion landscapes, or perhaps the textures could be altered to make it blend more seamlessly with the environment, increasing the difficulty of the hunt.
Gameplay tweaks could also alter the availability of ingredients. The developers might decide to increase the rarity of Dwarf Bread, forcing players to rely on luck or more extensive trading networks. Conversely, they could make Argonian Blood more readily available, perhaps by adding new characters who are willing to donate willingly, or by streamlining the persuasion process.
The difficulty of combat encounters in caves like Hindaril’s could also be rebalanced. The enemies might be made more challenging to compensate for the player’s increased power, or perhaps new types of undead creatures could be introduced to add variety. Quest markers could also be modified, offering clearer guidance or more ambiguous hints, depending on the desired level of difficulty.
Perhaps the most exciting possibility is the addition of new content. The developers could introduce new dialogue options with Count Hassildor, expanding on his backstory and motivations. They could add new lore about the origins of vampirism and the quest for a cure. They could even introduce alternate cure methods, perhaps involving different ingredients or requiring players to make difficult moral choices.
The potential for mod support in a remastered version is also significant. The modding community could create entirely new vampire storylines, add new powers and weaknesses, or even overhaul the Vampire Cure quest with entirely different objectives and challenges.
Strategies for Survival: Tips for Curing Vampirism in Any Era
Whether you’re playing the original Oblivion or a potential remastered version, certain strategies will significantly increase your chances of success in curing your vampirism.
Preparation is key. Before embarking on the quest, stock up on healing potions, reliable equipment, and a healthy supply of lockpicks. Familiarize yourself with the locations of alchemists and traders who can provide valuable supplies and information.
Take advantage of available resources. Online wikis and guides offer detailed information about the locations of specific ingredients, combat strategies, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Don’t be afraid to consult these resources when you’re stuck or facing a particularly difficult challenge.
Experiment with different combat tactics. Try different weapon types, spells, and combat styles to find what works best for you against the various enemies you’ll encounter. Utilize the environment to your advantage, using choke points, traps, and cover to outmaneuver your opponents.
Remember, persistence is paramount. The Vampire Cure quest is a long and arduous journey, but with dedication and careful planning, you can overcome the challenges and reclaim your rightful place under the sun.
A New Dawn Awaits? The Future of Vampires in Oblivion
The Vampire Cure quest in Oblivion remains a significant, if challenging, part of the game’s enduring appeal. Whether battling through Oblivion Gates for Bloodgrass or persuading (or less-than-persuading) an Argonian to part with their blood, the quest remains a unique experience, blending exploration, combat, and moral considerations.
A remastered version has the potential to revitalize this quest, making it more engaging, more challenging, and more rewarding than ever before. It will be interesting to see how the developers approach this iconic quest, and what changes they choose to make to enhance the overall vampire experience. Will they make the cure easier to obtain, perhaps by streamlining the ingredient gathering process? Or will they make it even more difficult, adding new challenges and obstacles to overcome?
Ultimately, the fate of the Vampire Cure quest in Oblivion Remastered remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the quest will continue to be a source of fascination and debate for players around the world. It is a test of skill, patience, and determination, a journey that takes you to the darkest corners of Cyrodiil and forces you to confront the consequences of your choices. What aspects of the original quest do you believe should be updated and what should remain untouched? Share your thoughts and strategies, and prepare to once again embrace the shadows, or fight your way back into the light, in the world of Oblivion.
