How to Stop Being a Vampire Lord in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide
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The allure of the Vampire Lord in Skyrim is undeniable – the power, the mystique, and the ability to command darkness. However, this path isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you’ve grown tired of the sun’s fiery wrath, the judgmental stares of villagers, or simply miss the taste of normal food. Fear not, adventurer! Curing your Vampire Lord status is achievable, and this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. The primary method involves a quest called “Rising at Dawn”. Head to Morthal and seek out Falion, a mage who specializes in this particular… affliction. He’ll require a filled Black Soul Gem to perform the ritual. Acquire one, return to him, and you’ll be cleansed of your vampiric curse.
The “Rising at Dawn” Quest: Your Path to Redemption
This is the most common and lore-friendly method to cure your Vampire Lord status. Let’s break it down:
Finding Falion
Falion resides in Morthal, a small town nestled in the marshes of Hjaalmarch. He can usually be found in his home or wandering around town. If you’ve never met him before, asking the innkeeper in Morthal about rumors will direct you to him. Be prepared for a slightly… eccentric individual.
Acquiring a Black Soul Gem
This is the trickiest part. Unlike standard Soul Gems, a Black Soul Gem can only trap the souls of intelligent beings (i.e., humans, elves, orcs, etc.). There are several ways to obtain one:
- Crafting: This requires the Conjuration skill and the Soul Trap spell. You’ll also need an empty Black Soul Gem. You can find these in various locations, but a guaranteed one can be obtained by completing the quest “Enchanting Practice” in the College of Winterhold. Once you have the gem and learned the Soul Trap spell, cast the spell on a human NPC before killing them. This will trap their soul in the gem.
- Buying: Certain merchants, especially those associated with necromancy, may sell Black Soul Gems. Keep an eye out in locations like Fellglow Keep or from specific vendors introduced by the Dawnguard DLC, though these are less reliable.
- Quest Rewards: Some quests may reward you with a Black Soul Gem. Be thorough in your explorations.
Filling the Black Soul Gem
Once you have an empty Black Soul Gem, you need to fill it with a soul. Cast the Soul Trap spell on a human or humanoid enemy before killing them. Make sure you have the gem in your inventory; otherwise, the soul will not be trapped. Ensure you are targeting human NPCs, as attempting to trap animals or other creatures won’t work with a Black Soul Gem.
The Ritual
With a filled Black Soul Gem in hand, return to Falion in Morthal. He will perform a ritual to cleanse you of your vampirism. This will cost you the gem, so say goodbye to that captured soul. Be prepared for a short wait while he completes the process. After the ritual, you will be cured of your Vampire Lord status.
Console Commands: A Quick (and Dirty) Fix (PC Only)
If you’re playing on PC and want a quick solution, you can use console commands. Be warned: this method bypasses the quest and can sometimes lead to unforeseen bugs. Save your game before attempting this.
- setstage 000EAFD5 10: This command advances the quest stage to the point where you are cured. Type this into the console (accessed by pressing the
~key). - showracemenu: This command opens the character creation menu. Simply changing your race (even to the same race) resets your character, effectively removing vampirism. Alternatively, you can use the changesex command for the same effect.
- player.dispelallspells: Removes active magical effects, including vampirism.
Embracing Lycanthropy: A Beastly Alternative
Another method to cure vampirism involves becoming a Werewolf. Completing the Companions questline in Whiterun offers this transformation. Accepting the beastly blood will purge you of your vampirism. However, this also means you’ll trade one set of weaknesses and strengths for another.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about curing Vampire Lord status in Skyrim:
1. What happens if I refuse Harkon’s offer to become a Vampire Lord?
If you refuse Harkon’s offer, you will be banished from Castle Volkihar and unable to re-enter. You’ll then need to return to Isran and continue the Dawnguard questline as a vampire hunter.
2. Can I become a Vampire Lord again after curing myself?
Yes, if you sided with the vampires, you can ask Serana to turn you back into a Vampire Lord after being cured. This option remains available unless you convince her to cure herself of vampirism, a choice that isn’t easy and arguably undesirable for those who appreciate her unique abilities.
3. Is it better to side with the Dawnguard or Harkon?
This depends on your playstyle. Siding with the Dawnguard is generally considered the “good” route, while siding with Harkon leans into the darker aspects of the game. Both sides offer unique quests and rewards, but the Dawnguard provides access to crossbows and enhanced magical bolts, while Harkon emphasizes Vampire Lord powers.
4. Can you marry Serana?
In the base game, Serana is not marriable. However, mods exist to enable this feature. Many players enjoy this added depth, but be aware that using mods may affect game stability.
5. What are the disadvantages of being a Vampire Lord in Skyrim?
The primary disadvantage is weakness to sunlight, which hinders health, stamina, and magicka regeneration. Additionally, NPCs may become hostile, especially if you advance to the later stages of vampirism. Feeding regularly helps mitigate these effects, but it can be a tedious task.
6. How do I feed as a Vampire in Skyrim?
The easiest way to feed as a Vampire is to sneak up to sleeping NPCs and activate them to feed. This can be done without raising alarms. As a Vampire Lord, you can also perform a power attack on weakened enemies to feed on them in combat.
7. Can I stop being a vampire even after I’ve progressed through the Dawnguard questline?
Yes, even after progressing significantly in the Dawnguard questline, you can still seek out Falion in Morthal to cure your vampirism using the “Rising at Dawn” quest.
8. What happens if I go to Castle Volkihar before starting the Dawnguard questline?
You will not be able to enter Castle Volkihar until you have progressed to the appropriate point in the Dawnguard questline. Attempting to go there early might even trigger a bug that can break the questline, so it’s best to avoid it.
9. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I become a vampire?
The Dawnguard will not attack you simply for being a vampire, especially if you are allied with them. However, if you openly feed on citizens in their presence or engage in other overtly hostile actions, they may turn on you.
10. Does becoming a werewolf cure vampirism?
Yes, embracing Lycanthropy and becoming a Werewolf will immediately cure you of vampirism. However, you cannot be both a Vampire Lord and a Werewolf simultaneously.
11. Can Serana give me vampirism more than once?
Yes, Serana can turn you back into a Vampire Lord multiple times, as long as she has not been cured herself. This provides flexibility if you find yourself wanting to switch between human and vampire forms.
12. Is it better to be a Vampire Lord or a Werewolf?
This is subjective and depends on your preferred playstyle. Vampire Lords are generally considered more powerful, especially at higher levels, offering a range of magical abilities and enhanced combat skills. Werewolves, on the other hand, excel in melee combat and possess greater physical strength.
13. How do I revert from Vampire Lord form?
To revert from Vampire Lord form, access your powers menu (usually by pressing the up directional button). Scroll through your available powers until you find “Revert Form“. Select it and then press your shout/power button. It may take a few seconds to transform back.
14. What are the best mods to enhance the Vampire Lord experience?
Several mods can enhance the Vampire Lord experience, including those that improve the Vampire Lord skill tree, add new abilities, and refine the transformation mechanics. Popular options include “Better Vampires” and “Sacrosanct – Vampires of Skyrim“.
15. What happens if Serana is cured of vampirism?
If you convince Serana to cure herself, she will no longer be able to turn you into a Vampire Lord. This decision is permanent and should be made with careful consideration, especially if you appreciate having the option to embrace vampirism again.
Embracing or rejecting the Vampire Lord path in Skyrim is a significant choice, with lasting consequences. Understanding the options available for curing vampirism is crucial for shaping your Dragonborn’s destiny. Whether you prefer the lore-friendly approach of the “Rising at Dawn” quest or the quick fix of console commands, the power to choose remains in your hands. And if you are interested in exploring how games can be used for learning and education, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization delves into the intersection of games and learning.