Can Aela the Huntress Be Cured of Lycanthropy in Skyrim?

The short, bittersweet answer is no, you cannot cure Aela the Huntress of her lycanthropy in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Aela is a dedicated member of The Companions and embraces her werewolf nature. While you can cure yourself and other members like Farkas and Vilkas, Aela remains stubbornly and permanently a werewolf. She wants to be a werewolf, and the game mechanics reflect this desire. Now, let’s delve into the whys and hows of lycanthropy within Skyrim, focusing on Aela and answering some frequently asked questions.

Understanding Lycanthropy and The Companions

Lycanthropy, the ability to transform into a werewolf, is a significant element of The Companions questline. The group, based in Whiterun’s Jorrvaskr, appears to be a band of honorable mercenaries, but they harbor a dark secret. Players can contract lycanthropy through Aela the Huntress during the quest “The Silver Hand.” Accepting the beast blood grants you the Beast Form power, allowing you to transform into a powerful werewolf.

The questline eventually offers a cure for lycanthropy, attainable after completing the main questline of The Companions. This involves throwing a Glenmoril Witch Head into the Ysgramor’s Tomb fire. However, this option is only available for the player and certain specific members of The Companions.

Why Aela Is Uncurable

Aela’s commitment to her werewolf nature is baked into her character. She enjoys the hunts in beast form and the power it gives her. Her dialogue and actions reinforce this. The game does not provide a mechanism to cure her, regardless of your progress, persuasion skills, or console commands (though using console commands can sometimes have unpredictable and buggy results). Aela is designed to remain a werewolf, and that’s that.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aela and Lycanthropy

1. Can you turn Aela into a vampire?

No, Aela cannot become a vampire. Her lycanthropy grants her immunity to vampirism. The game prevents her from contracting both conditions.

2. Can Aela turn you into a werewolf again after you are cured?

Yes, after completing the Companions questline and curing yourself of lycanthropy (especially with the Dawnguard DLC installed), you can ask Aela to turn you into a werewolf once more. However, be warned: this is a limited-time offer. With the Dawnguard DLC you can only regain lycanthropy once. Without the DLC, the offer ends after the initial infection.

3. Can Aela die?

Yes and no. Before you complete the Companions quest line, Aela is classified as an essential character, meaning she cannot be killed. However, after completing the questline, she loses this status and can die like any other non-essential NPC. So, be careful in combat!

4. Can Aela be recruited as a Blade?

Yes, Aela is one of the few Companions who can be recruited into the Blades. Upon recruitment, she will relocate to Sky Haven Temple.

5. Is Aela a good follower and wife?

Absolutely. Aela is a popular choice for both. As a follower, she is a skilled archer and melee fighter, making her a formidable combatant. As a wife, she provides you with a small income from her store and offers free archery training. She’s also quite the looker, according to many players.

6. Is Aela essential throughout the entire game?

No. Aela is only essential until you complete the Companions questline. After that, she becomes vulnerable and can die permanently.

7. Does Aela have any romantic relationships with other Companions?

There is a rumor amongst the Companions that Aela and Skjor had a relationship, especially due to their hunts together in beast form. However, Aela denies any romantic involvement. The details of their relationship are left ambiguous.

8. Is Aela affiliated with any faction in the Civil War?

The source material mentions that Aela joined the Stormcloaks, but there is not much evidence that Aela is involved in the Civil War.

9. What happens if a human and a werewolf have a child in Skyrim lore?

The information regarding children born of human and werewolf unions are not specific to Skyrim, and there is not a clear and consistent answer in general lore. It appears that the werewolf gene can sometimes transfer to the unborn child, but it is rare.

10. What races are immune to lycanthropy in Skyrim?

In the lore surrounding the world of Elder Scrolls, any humanoid creature can be affected by the Lycanthropy curse.

11. What is a Werewolf-Vampire Hybrid called?

A Werewolf-Vampire Hybrid is commonly referred to as a Were-pire or a Vaewolfv.

12. Why is Aela sometimes invisible in my game?

This is usually caused by mod conflicts. Specifically, issues can arise from using mods like “Diverse Werewolves Collection” and “Bijin Warmaidens” simultaneously. The problem stems from the custom race introduced by “Diverse Werewolves” lacking corresponding body entries in “Bijin Warmaidens.”

13. Why can’t I marry Aela even though I have the Amulet of Mara?

Simply wearing the Amulet of Mara isn’t enough. You must first speak to Maramal, the priest of Mara, in the Temple of Mara in Riften. He will explain the marriage process, after which you can propose to Aela.

14. Can you stay a werewolf forever in Skyrim?

Yes, you can choose to remain a werewolf indefinitely. The option to cure yourself only becomes available during the Companions questline. If you choose to ignore that option, you can retain your Beast Form for the entire game.

15. Can you be both a werewolf and a vampire in Skyrim?

No, you cannot simultaneously be a werewolf and a vampire. If you are already a Vampire Lord, you cannot become a werewolf. Similarly, if you are a werewolf, you cannot contract vampirism. You must choose one or the other.

The Allure of the Beast

Ultimately, Aela’s choice to remain a werewolf highlights the themes of freedom and choice within Skyrim. While the game allows you to cure yourself and others, it also respects the decision to embrace the beast within. Aela is a powerful warrior who values her connection to the hunt and the power of the werewolf form. Her unyielding nature is part of what makes her such a compelling character. It’s a fantastic example of Games Learning Society principals as players learn to deal with the consequences of choices. For more information about how people learn through games, check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

So, while you can’t change Aela, you can still adventure alongside her, knowing that she remains a fierce and loyal Companion, forever bound to the moon and the beast within. And, if you ever need to feel the wild hunt again, she’ll be there to offer you the beast blood once more. Just… don’t expect her to join you for tea and crumpets afterward.