Can You Turn Aela the Huntress into a Vampire in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
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The short answer is yes, you absolutely can turn Aela the Huntress into a vampire in Skyrim. However, the process and implications are more complex than simply biting her neck. Let’s explore the nuances of this transformation and address some frequently asked questions surrounding Aela, vampirism, and the intricacies of Skyrim’s mechanics.
Understanding Aela and Her Essential Status
Aela the Huntress is a Nord warrior and a prominent member of the Companions guild in Whiterun. She is also a potential marriage candidate and, importantly, considered an essential NPC until the Companions questline is complete. This “essential” status means she cannot die under normal circumstances until the game allows it. This affects how vampirism can be contracted.
The Process of Turning Aela into a Vampire
The primary method for turning Aela into a vampire involves contracting Sanguinare Vampiris, the disease that leads to full-blown vampirism. Here’s a breakdown:
- Contracting Sanguinare Vampiris: The easiest way to contract this disease is by being attacked by a vampire. Vampires often use spells and physical attacks that can transmit the disease.
- Allowing the Disease to Progress: If you contract Sanguinare Vampiris, you’ll receive a notification. You have three in-game days to cure the disease before it transforms you into a full vampire. Aela, however, cannot cure herself, and you can’t force her to drink a potion.
- Turning Aela into a Vampire Lord (Potentially): If Aela is your follower, you may have access to the “Blood Potion” given to you by Serana during the Dawnguard Questline. The use of this blood potion will turn Aela into a Vampire Lord. This requires the Dawnguard DLC. If you do not have this DLC, you must rely on Sanguinare Vampiris.
Consequences of Turning Aela into a Vampire
- Relationship Changes: Becoming a vampire can affect Aela’s disposition towards you. While the base game doesn’t drastically alter her dialogue, mods can introduce more complex reactions.
- Gameplay Mechanics: As a vampire, Aela will be subject to the same vulnerabilities and strengths as a player vampire. This includes weakness to sunlight and increased effectiveness of blood magic.
- Visual Changes: Aela’s appearance will change to reflect her vampiric state, including pale skin and potentially red eyes.
- The Dawnguard DLC: If you have the Dawnguard DLC, you’ll have unique dialogue options and quests related to vampirism. If Aela is turned into a Vampire Lord using Serana’s blood potion, she will be able to use the form.
Factors that Affect the Transformation
- Mods: Mods can significantly alter the process and consequences of turning Aela into a vampire. Some mods might make the process easier or harder, or they might introduce entirely new mechanics.
- Game Version: The game version can also play a role. Patches and updates have addressed bugs and made changes to gameplay mechanics.
- Essential Status: While Aela is an essential NPC, being a vampire does not negate the consequences of her status. This only means that you can’t kill her during the Companions Questline if she is not a vampire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does turning Aela into a vampire break the Companions questline?
Generally, no. Turning Aela into a vampire does not inherently break the Companions questline. However, her vampiric state may introduce unforeseen consequences or bugs, especially with certain mods.
2. Can Aela be cured of vampirism?
Yes. Just like the player, Aela can be cured of vampirism through the quest “Rising at Dawn,” which involves filling a Black Soul Gem and speaking to Falion in Morthal.
3. Will Aela attack villagers as a vampire?
Without mods, Aela’s AI will generally prevent her from randomly attacking villagers. She will still follow you as a follower and engage in combat as usual.
4. Does Aela require blood to survive as a vampire?
Yes. As a vampire, Aela will need to feed to avoid the negative effects of advanced vampirism stages, such as increased weakness to sunlight.
5. Will Aela’s dialogue change after becoming a vampire?
In the vanilla game, her dialogue changes are minimal. Mods can introduce more significant changes to reflect her vampiric state.
6. Can I turn Aela into a Vampire Lord without the Dawnguard DLC?
No. The ability to transform NPCs into Vampire Lords using Serana’s blood is exclusive to the Dawnguard DLC. Without it, Aela can only become a standard vampire through contracting Sanguinare Vampiris.
7. If I marry Aela and then turn her into a vampire, will she stay in my house?
Yes. Turning Aela into a vampire will not change her marital status or her living arrangements. She will continue to reside in your house as your spouse.
8. Can other Companions become vampires?
Yes. The process is the same for other members of the Companions. They must contract Sanguinare Vampiris and fail to cure it within three days.
9. Will becoming a vampire affect Aela’s skills and abilities?
Yes, to a degree. As a vampire, Aela will gain certain vampiric abilities and weaknesses, which can affect her combat effectiveness.
10. Is it possible to reverse the process and turn Aela back into a werewolf after she is a vampire?
No. In the vanilla game, it is not possible to revert Aela from a Vampire to a Werewolf. Once cured of Vampirism, she will be a normal Nord. You can only be one or the other.
11. Can Aela use Vampire Lord abilities if turned into a Vampire Lord via Serana’s blood?
Yes, if you have the Dawnguard DLC. She will be able to transform into a Vampire Lord.
12. Are there any unique quests associated with Aela being a vampire?
In the base game, no. There are no quests with the game’s mechanics. Mods may introduce unique questlines related to the character.
13. Does Aela react to sunlight as a vampire?
Yes. She will experience the negative effects of sunlight exposure as a vampire, including reduced health, stamina, and magicka regeneration.
14. Can I use console commands to turn Aela into a vampire?
Yes. You can use console commands to force the Sanguinare Vampiris disease on Aela or directly set her as a vampire. This requires knowing the correct commands and IDs.
Warning: Use of console commands may negatively affect your game experience and make your game unstable. Use with caution.
15. Will Aela be hostile towards me if she becomes a vampire and I’m not one?
Generally, no. Her disposition toward you should not change drastically unless mods are in play. She will still function as a follower or spouse.
Final Thoughts
Turning Aela the Huntress into a vampire adds a layer of complexity to your Skyrim experience. While the process itself is straightforward, the consequences and interactions can be nuanced, especially when factoring in DLCs and mods. Understanding the mechanics of vampirism and Aela’s essential status is crucial for a seamless and enjoyable playthrough.
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