Unveiling Serana’s Cure: A Deep Dive into Her Transformation in Skyrim
The question of who cures Serana in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC has a straightforward answer: Falion, a skilled wizard residing in Morthal, performs the ritual that restores her humanity. However, the path to this cure, the nuances surrounding it, and the implications it holds are far more complex and fascinating. This article aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding Serana’s cure, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the process, its consequences, and related aspects within the game.
Understanding Serana’s Vampirism and the Desire for a Cure
Serana, a pure-blood vampire and daughter of Lord Harkon, plays a pivotal role in the Dawnguard storyline. She is found sealed within a sarcophagus in Dimhollow Crypt, holding one of the Elder Scrolls needed to fulfill Harkon’s prophecy to extinguish the sun. While initially resistant to the idea, Serana may eventually consider seeking a cure for her vampirism based on your interactions and influence throughout the DLC. The player’s compassion and empathy often play a significant role in her decision.
Initiating the Cure: The Dialogue Trigger
The process of convincing Serana to seek a cure starts after the defeat of her father, Lord Harkon, at the conclusion of the Dawnguard main questline. Instead of directly asking her about a cure, selecting the dialogue option “Are you alright?” will initiate a different conversation path. This demonstrates concern for her well-being, prompting her to express doubts about her vampiric existence. Following this, you can convince her to seek a cure at Fort Dawnguard.
Falion’s Role: The Ritual Master
Once Serana agrees to seek a cure, she will depart to find Falion in Morthal. Falion, an expert in vampirism and soul manipulation, is the only character in the game capable of performing the ritual required to restore Serana’s humanity. You do not need to escort her; she travels to Morthal independently.
The Cure Process: A Personal Journey
Serana will spend approximately three in-game days with Falion in Morthal, undergoing the cure process. During this time, she is unavailable as a follower. After the allotted time, she returns to Fort Dawnguard, no longer a vampire. Her eyes will revert from their glowing yellow to a more natural, albeit bugged, blue. While technically blue, the texture sometimes renders with a yellow outer ring, which is a known visual glitch.
Consequences of Serana’s Cure
Curing Serana has several implications for gameplay:
- Loss of Vampire Abilities: Serana loses her vampire abilities, including her Vampire Lord form (if she had it), her unique Drain Life spell, and her immunity to diseases.
- Inability to Turn You into a Vampire Lord: Once cured, Serana can no longer turn you into a Vampire Lord, eliminating this gameplay option.
- Dialogue Changes: Her dialogue changes to reflect her newfound humanity, often expressing relief and a sense of normalcy.
- Visual Changes: As mentioned, her eyes change color. While intended to be blue, the aforementioned bug can cause a yellowish tinge.
- Loss of Bloodcursed Arrows: Serana can no longer provide the player with Bloodcursed arrows needed to blot out the sun if you are a vampire.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Serana’s Cure
Here are some frequently asked questions about Serana’s cure, providing further clarity and detail:
1. Can Serana be cured more than once?
No, once Serana is cured of her vampirism, she cannot become a vampire again in the base game without the use of mods.
2. What happens if I choose the wrong dialogue options?
If you directly ask Serana about a cure before initiating the “Are you alright?” dialogue path, it may be more difficult to convince her. However, you can still potentially persuade her through persistent dialogue choices focusing on her well-being.
3. Does curing Serana affect the Dawnguard questline?
No, curing Serana does not negatively affect the Dawnguard questline. She remains a valuable ally and follower, though her abilities change.
4. Can I cure myself of vampirism with Falion?
Yes, Falion can cure you of vampirism as well, if you contract it during your adventures. You will need to bring him a filled Black Soul Gem.
5. How long does the curing process take?
Serana spends roughly three in-game days with Falion in Morthal while undergoing the cure.
6. What are the benefits of curing Serana?
The main benefit is role-playing satisfaction. Some players prefer to see Serana at peace with her humanity.
7. What are the drawbacks of curing Serana?
The primary drawbacks are the loss of her vampire abilities and the inability for her to turn you into a Vampire Lord.
8. Does Serana’s appearance change after being cured?
Yes, her eyes change color, though the exact color can be affected by a visual bug.
9. Can I marry Serana after curing her?
In the unmodded game, no. Marrying Serana, regardless of her vampire status, requires the use of mods.
10. Where can I find Falion?
Falion resides in Morthal. He can usually be found in his home or wandering around town.
11. Does Serana have unique dialogue after being cured?
Yes, her dialogue changes to reflect her new state, expressing relief and gratitude.
12. Can I convince Serana to become a vampire again after being cured using console commands?
While possible through console commands, this is not officially supported and can lead to unforeseen issues with the game.
13. Does Serana still have the same personality after being cured?
Yes, her core personality remains the same. The cure primarily affects her physical abilities and dialogue related to her vampirism.
14. Can I cure Serana without completing the Dawnguard questline?
No, you must complete the Dawnguard questline to unlock the dialogue options that lead to her seeking a cure.
15. Is it better to cure Serana or keep her as a vampire?
This decision is entirely subjective and depends on your personal preferences and playstyle. There’s no objectively “better” choice. Some players love the benefits of having Serana as a powerful vampire follower. Others prefer to role-play a more compassionate character who helps Serana find peace.
The Broader Context: Morality, Choice, and Role-Playing
The decision to cure Serana is more than just a gameplay choice; it’s a reflection of your character’s morality and your approach to role-playing. Do you prioritize power and the benefits of vampirism, or do you value compassion and the potential for Serana to find happiness as a mortal?
Conclusion: A Personal Choice in a Rich World
Ultimately, the decision of whether to cure Serana rests with you. Falion provides the means, but your choices and influence shape Serana’s path. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or seek a brighter future for her, the journey is a testament to the depth and complexity of the characters and choices within The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. For more insights into the educational aspects of gaming and how it fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.