Curing the Curse: Triggering the Falion Quest in Skyrim
So, you’ve contracted the dreaded vampirism in Skyrim and are looking for a cure? Look no further than Falion of Morthal, a somewhat enigmatic scholar who holds the key to reversing your undead condition. But how exactly do you trigger his questline? It’s simpler than you might think, but a few key steps must be followed.
The primary trigger for initiating Falion’s quest, which effectively cures vampirism, is simply contracting vampirism and then seeking him out. More specifically, you need to reach Stage 4 of Vampirism, where the effects are most pronounced and other NPCs will become hostile. After you become a vampire and reach Stage 4, talk to Falion in Morthal. He will recognize you as a vampire and then offer a solution: provide him with one filled Black Soul Gem. Once you hand over the gem, he will tell you to meet him at dawn, which is between 5 and 6 AM, at the summoning circle North of the town.
Understanding Falion’s Role
Falion is an interesting character, clearly knowledgeable in arcane arts and, more specifically, the undead. He is found in Morthal, often viewed with suspicion by the townsfolk due to his unusual studies. He is the only NPC in the unmodded game who can cure you of vampirism. This service isn’t free, though – and the specific requirements are crucial to understanding how his questline works.
The Black Soul Gem Requirement
The filled Black Soul Gem is absolutely essential. This isn’t just any soul gem; it specifically needs to contain the soul of a humanoid. A Grand Soul Gem won’t do. You need a Black Soul Gem, and it needs to be filled with a human or elf soul. The easiest way to do this is to either find a necromancer who carries a Black Soul Gem or buy an empty one from Falion. Cast the Soul Trap spell on a bandit, guard, or any human/elf NPC, and they will provide the necessary soul. Upon handing over the filled gem, the quest will proceed.
Stage 4 Vampirism: The Trigger
While simply having vampirism will allow you to talk to Falion about it, he will not offer the cure unless you are at Stage 4. This is the stage where the negative effects are most severe. At stage 4, NPCs will attack you on sight. You must reach stage 4 of vampirism to trigger the cure from Falion. Feed before visiting Falion if you do not want to be attacked on sight!
The Dawn Ritual
Falion will tell you to meet him at the summoning circle north of Morthal between 5 and 6 AM. This timing is specific and vital. He will be there to perform the ritual and remove your vampirism. Arrive on time, and do not linger or get distracted. Interacting with him at the summoning circle will begin the ceremony.
FAQs: All About Falion and Curing Vampirism
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you further understand Falion and the process of curing vampirism in Skyrim:
1. What happens if Falion dies before I can cure my vampirism?
Unfortunately, without console commands or mods on PC, if Falion dies, you’re out of luck for curing your vampirism naturally. Falion is the only vanilla NPC capable of performing the ritual. Be careful around Morthal!
2. Can I become a vampire again after being cured by Falion?
Yes! The quest is repeatable. If you contract sanguinare vampiris again, you can return to Falion with another filled Black Soul Gem to be cured.
3. Does curing vampirism remove my Vampire Lord powers from the Dawnguard DLC?
Yes, curing your vampirism will remove your Vampire Lord form, as it is a part of being a vampire.
4. Can Serana be cured by Falion?
Yes, after completing the Dawnguard DLC, you can convince Serana to seek out Falion for a cure. It’s a personal choice that affects her character and story.
5. What if I can’t find a Black Soul Gem?
Falion himself sells empty Black Soul Gems. Alternatively, certain high-level necromancer enemies are likely to carry them.
6. Does the type of soul in the Black Soul Gem matter for the cure?
No, as long as it’s a humanoid soul (human, elf, orc, etc.), it will work for the ritual. The size of the soul doesn’t matter.
7. Will Falion attack me if I approach him as a vampire?
Yes, if you are in Stage 4 of vampirism and have not fed recently, Falion (and most NPCs) will attack you on sight. Feed before speaking with him.
8. What happens if I miss the dawn meeting with Falion?
Falion will remain at the summoning circle for a few hours. If you miss him there, he will eventually return to his home in Morthal, and you will need to catch him at dawn the next day.
9. Can I still join the Dawnguard after being cured of vampirism?
Yes! Curing your vampirism does not prevent you from joining the Dawnguard or progressing through their questline. This is particularly relevant as siding with the Dawnguard is the most common way to contract vampirism.
10. How long does it take to become a vampire in Skyrim?
You contract sanguinare vampiris when fighting vampires, and it takes three in-game days to fully transform into a vampire if left untreated.
11. Is there a console command to cure vampirism if Falion isn’t working?
Yes, on PC, you can use the console command setstage 000EAF47 10 to complete the quest “Rising at Dawn” and cure your vampirism.
12. Does curing vampirism remove my skill increases earned as a vampire?
No, you will retain all your skill increases and perk points earned while being a vampire.
13. Does feeding as a vampire reset my progress through the stages of vampirism?
Yes, feeding will lower your stage of vampirism.
14. What are the benefits of being a vampire in Skyrim?
Vampires gain resistance to diseases and poison, and they also gain increased sneak skill. They gain additional powers as their stage of vampirism increases.
15. How do I avoid becoming a vampire in Skyrim?
Use a cure disease potion or visit a shrine after being attacked by a vampire to remove the sanguinare vampiris disease before it progresses into full vampirism.
Reporting Falion to the Jarl
The article mentions reporting Falion to the Jarl of Morthal. There is a secret quest in Morthal where you follow Falion at 1 AM to the summoning circle and discover that he is summoning something. You can then talk to him about it, and report him to the Jarl. It is a very short quest that has no bearing on the vampire cure quest. It is included for completeness.
Conclusion
Curing vampirism in Skyrim through Falion is a relatively straightforward process once you understand the key triggers and requirements. Finding Falion, reaching Stage 4 Vampirism, procuring a filled Black Soul Gem, and meeting him at the summoning circle at dawn are the crucial steps. Don’t let the undead curse keep you from exploring the world of Skyrim. With Falion’s help, you can return to the land of the living and continue your adventures.
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