Can You Marry Aela as a Vampire in Skyrim? The Ultimate Guide
No, you cannot directly marry Aela the Huntress as a vampire in the base game of Skyrim. Aela is a member of the Companions, and to marry her, you must complete a significant portion of their questline. This questline requires you to become a werewolf. Being a werewolf cures you of vampirism. While you can later become a vampire again after completing the Dawnguard DLC, Aela will remain a werewolf and therefore immune to vampirism, preventing a vampire-werewolf marriage in the vanilla game.
Understanding the Nuances of Marriage and Transformations in Skyrim
The world of Skyrim is vast and filled with intricate systems. The interplay between the marriage system, the Companions questline, and the vampirism/lycanthropy mechanics can be confusing. Let’s delve deeper into why marrying Aela as a vampire is impossible without mods and explore the related aspects of these game mechanics.
Aela and the Companions
Aela the Huntress is a prominent member of the Companions, a guild of warriors located in Whiterun. To initiate a marriage with her, you need to:
- Join the Companions: This involves completing the initial quests and proving your worth.
- Complete the Companions Questline: This questline ultimately leads to you becoming a werewolf as part of the Blood’s Honor quest.
- Complete the “Glory of the Dead” Quest: After this quest, Aela becomes a marriage candidate, and she will be waiting for you at Jorrvaskr, the Companions mead hall.
Vampirism and Lycanthropy: An Exclusive Relationship
Vampirism and lycanthropy (werewolfism) are mutually exclusive in Skyrim. If you are a vampire, becoming a werewolf will cure you of vampirism. Conversely, if you are a werewolf, becoming a vampire will remove your lycanthropy. The game doesn’t allow a hybrid state without the use of mods.
Dawnguard DLC: The Vampire Lord Path
The Dawnguard DLC introduces a unique element: the ability to become a Vampire Lord. This powerful vampire form is distinct from regular vampirism. The DLC also introduces Serana, a pure-blooded vampire who can turn you into a Vampire Lord multiple times, even after you’ve been cured.
The Impossibility of Turning Aela into a Vampire
Even after becoming a Vampire Lord, you cannot turn Aela into a vampire. As a werewolf, she is immune to contracting vampirism. This is a built-in game mechanic to prevent conflicts between the two conditions for specific NPCs tied to the Companions.
Mods: Opening Up Possibilities
While the vanilla game restricts a vampire-werewolf marriage with Aela, the active modding community for Skyrim offers solutions. Mods can:
- Allow you to become a hybrid of vampire and werewolf
- Enable the turning of essential NPCs, including Aela, into vampires
- Override the restrictions on marrying specific characters as vampires
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I marry Aela without becoming a werewolf?
Yes, but only temporarily. To initiate the marriage process with Aela, you must join the Companions and begin their questline, which inevitably leads to becoming a werewolf. You can later cure yourself of lycanthropy (werewolfism), but you need to become a werewolf at least temporarily.
2. If I cure my lycanthropy, can Aela turn me back into a werewolf?
Yes, after completing the Companions questline, Aela can turn you back into a werewolf an unlimited number of times, as long as you aren’t a vampire. This feature is helpful if you want to switch between being a werewolf and a regular mortal.
3. Can I turn Lydia into a vampire?
Yes, you can turn Lydia into a vampire, assuming you have the Dawnguard DLC and have become a Vampire Lord. You can also do this after you are married. Remember, this does not make Lydia a Vampire Lord, she just is a regular vampire.
4. Who is the best wife for a vampire character in Skyrim?
There is no definitive “best” wife, as it depends on personal preference. However, Ysolda is a popular choice because she’s relatively easy to marry, and some players find her vampiric appearance appealing.
5. Can I marry Serana as a vampire?
No, in the base game of Skyrim, you cannot marry Serana. Fortunately, fan-made mods exist that allow players to marry Serana.
6. Can I be a vampire and a werewolf at the same time without mods?
No, without mods, you cannot be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously. One condition will always overwrite the other.
7. Is Aela a good wife in Skyrim?
Yes, many players consider Aela a good wife. She can be a follower, provide archery training, carry your burdens, and even run a store.
8. Can Aela die in Skyrim?
Yes, Aela can die if she takes too much damage during combat. It’s important to protect her if you want to keep her as a follower or spouse.
9. Is it better to marry Lydia or Aela?
This depends on your preferences. Lydia is a loyal housecarl, while Aela offers archery training and a connection to the Companions. Statistically, Lydia levels up to 50, while Aela only goes up to 40. So it is said Lydia is a better follower, but as a spouse, it is all a matter of preference.
10. What happens if my spouse dies in Skyrim?
If your spouse dies in Skyrim, they are permanently dead. You cannot remarry in the vanilla game. So be sure to take care of her!
11. Does being a werewolf affect my relationship with the Dawnguard?
No, the Dawnguard are primarily concerned with hunting vampires. They do not care if you are a werewolf, so you can join their ranks even if you have lycanthropy.
12. How many times can Serana turn me into a vampire?
Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord as many times as you want, provided you are not already a werewolf.
13. Who is the strongest female follower in Skyrim?
Serana is often considered the strongest female follower due to her high skill levels in Destruction, Conjuration, One-Handed, and Light Armor.
14. What are some of the best marriage candidates in Skyrim?
Some popular marriage candidates include Aela the Huntress, Lydia, Ysolda, and Mjoll the Lioness. The “best” candidate depends on your personal preferences and playstyle.
15. Is it better to be a werewolf or a vampire in Skyrim?
Both werewolves and vampires offer unique abilities and drawbacks. Werewolves have powerful melee attacks and immunity to diseases, while vampires gain bonuses to illusion magic, sneak, and resistance to diseases, along with several powerful abilities if you choose the Vampire Lord route. The better choice depends on your preferred playstyle.
Concluding Thoughts
While marrying Aela as a vampire isn’t possible in the standard version of Skyrim, understanding the game’s mechanics surrounding marriage, lycanthropy, and vampirism can greatly enhance your gaming experience. Mods offer ways to bypass these limitations, providing you with the freedom to create the character and relationships you desire. Whether you choose to embrace the beast within or succumb to the allure of vampirism, Skyrim offers endless possibilities for adventure and role-playing. If you’re interested in learning more about how games influence education and learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.