Why Do People Keep Telling Me I Don’t Look So Good in Skyrim?
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The citizens of Skyrim are not shy about expressing their opinions, and if you’re hearing remarks about your appearance, it’s likely because your character has contracted a disease. In the vast and often perilous world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, diseases are a common hazard, and NPCs are programmed to react to your character’s current status, including any ailments. When NPCs tell you that you don’t look well, they’re not just being rude – they are reacting to a disease that your Dragonborn is currently suffering from. This is a gameplay mechanic designed to encourage players to seek cures and maintain the health of their character.
What’s the Deal with Diseases in Skyrim?
Skyrim is a dangerous place, and various creatures and traps can inflict diseases upon your character. These diseases come with negative effects that hamper your abilities, making combat and exploration more difficult. For example, you might find that you swing your sword less effectively or that your stamina drains faster. These penalties serve as a constant reminder that you need to address the problem. Diseases aren’t just an annoying inconvenience, they are an integral part of the gameplay that adds realism and challenge to your adventure.
How to Know if You Have a Disease
The game doesn’t always provide an obvious notification when you contract a disease, so relying solely on NPC dialogue might mean you have been ill for quite some time. You can actively check your status by navigating to the Magic menu and selecting Active Effects. Diseases are typically displayed in red, making them easy to identify. You can find the specific disease that affects you here and see its corresponding detrimental effects. This allows you to take informed action towards finding a cure.
Why the NPCs Notice Before You Do
NPCs are not actively detecting your illnesses through some magical means, they simply respond to the in-game state of your character. The game is designed to prompt NPCs to comment on various player conditions, such as having a disease, to provide subtle cues. It’s part of the immersive experience that Skyrim offers, making it feel more like a living, breathing world. When a NPC comments that you look unwell, the game is essentially prompting you to investigate your status.
How to Cure Diseases in Skyrim
Fortunately, there are several ways to cure diseases and put an end to the unwanted comments about your appearance.
Potions
The most straightforward method is to use a Potion of Cure Disease. These potions can be bought from alchemists throughout Skyrim or crafted yourself. To craft your own potion, you will require specific ingredients, such as Charred Skeever Hide, Felsaad Tern Feathers, Hawk Feathers, Mudcrab Chitin, or Vampire Dust. If you’re going to be spending time in areas where you are likely to encounter diseased creatures or traps, carrying a few potions of cure disease is a good precaution.
Shrines
Praying at the shrines of the Nine Divines is another easy way to remove any illnesses you may have. You’ll find these shrines in temples located in major cities. Praying is free and cures all diseases on your person.
Vigilants of Stendarr
Speaking with a Vigilant of Stendarr can also lead to a cure. They are devoted to eradicating Daedra and other unclean things, including diseases, and are often willing to assist the Dragonborn. Talking to these characters can result in them curing you free of charge, but this is not always the case.
Werewolf Transformation
Interestingly, if you become a Werewolf, you will be immune to all diseases. Transforming into your werewolf form will remove any current diseases. However, this is a more extreme option, as it comes with its own unique gameplay implications.
Related FAQs About Disease in Skyrim
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to diseases in Skyrim to further enhance your understanding of this gameplay mechanic:
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What types of diseases can I contract in Skyrim?
There are various diseases in Skyrim, including Bone Break Fever, Brain Rot, Brown Rot, Droops, Food Poisoning, Greenspore, Gutworm, and Rattles. Each of these has different detrimental effects that can impact your gameplay. -
Where can I find ingredients to craft cure disease potions?
You can find cure disease ingredients in various locations. Hawk Feathers can be found on birds, Charred Skeever Hide can be looted from Skeever corpses, and Mudcrab Chitin from, you guessed it, mudcrabs. Felsaad Tern Feathers can be found in Solstheim and Vampire Dust can be looted from dead vampires. -
Does changing my appearance get rid of diseases?
No, changing your appearance with a face sculptor like Galathil does not remove any diseases. It is purely cosmetic. -
What is Rockjoint and how do you contract it?
Rockjoint is one of the first diseases you might encounter. It’s often carried by animals like wolves, bears, horkers, and skeevers, or can be contracted from dungeon traps. It reduces the effectiveness of your melee attacks. -
What is Brain Rot and how do I cure it?
Brain Rot is a more serious disease that can be challenging to cure. While basic cure disease potions might work, sometimes you need a specific potion for Brain Rot. Alternatively, a priest can cure it. -
How do I know if I’m a werewolf and therefore immune?
You will know that you are a werewolf if you have completed the Companions questline, and are able to turn into a beast. This is one of the few cures to disease that is a permanent passive. -
Can diseases be avoided?
To some degree, yes. Avoiding encounters with diseased animals and being cautious of traps in dungeons can reduce your chances of contracting diseases. Always look out for traps, and engage combat in the open as much as possible. -
Is there any advantage to getting diseased?
No, there is no advantage to having a disease in Skyrim. They all have negative effects, and getting rid of them is always beneficial. -
Can followers contract diseases?
No, followers cannot contract diseases in Skyrim. They’re immune, which is one less thing you need to worry about. -
Do diseases affect my speech or other social skills?
No, diseases in Skyrim typically impact combat-related stats and resources. They don’t usually affect social skills like speech. -
How much does it cost to get cured by a Vigilant of Stendarr?
It is usually free to be cured by a Vigilant of Stendarr, but sometimes they may have their own requests to complete first. They are always a great way to get a free cure if you can find one. -
Can I get diseases from other NPCs?
No, in Skyrim you cannot get diseases from other humanoid NPCs directly. Diseases are acquired from animals, traps, or specific environmental hazards. -
Is vampirism considered a disease in Skyrim?
Yes, but it’s treated differently. Vampirism is a more complex condition with multiple stages, and a different, involved process is required to cure it, usually involving Falion in Morthal. -
Does difficulty affect the likelihood of contracting diseases?
No, difficulty settings do not change the frequency or chance of contracting diseases. It is always consistent regardless of difficulty. -
How does disease work with roleplaying?
Role-playing a character who takes great care to avoid disease, or perhaps embraces the curse, can add extra layers to gameplay. The need to manage your health is a constant in Skyrim, and as such it lends itself easily to unique roleplay experiences.
By understanding how diseases work, how to spot them, and how to cure them, you can be sure to stop the NPCs from commenting on your haggard appearance. Keeping your character healthy is a crucial part of staying alive and flourishing in the challenging world of Skyrim, and taking action when needed will make your adventure smoother.