Why Won’t Falion Cure Me of Vampirism? A Comprehensive Guide

Falion, the reclusive mage residing in Morthal, is renowned as one of the few individuals in Skyrim capable of curing vampirism. However, if Falion refuses to cure you, it’s almost certainly due to one or more easily fixable factors. The most common reason is a failure to meet the precise requirements of his cure: you must be non-stage 4 vampirism, possess a filled Black Soul Gem, and correctly speak to him at the right time. Let’s delve into the specifics of each of these requirements and explore other potential stumbling blocks to receiving Falion’s assistance.

Understanding Falion’s Cure: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Falion’s cure for vampirism is a quest-driven process, requiring specific actions and adherence to certain conditions. Understanding each step is crucial to successfully ridding yourself of the undead curse.

Identifying Your Stage of Vampirism

The most crucial requirement is being at the correct stage of vampirism. Falion cannot cure you if you are a Stage 4 vampire. Stage 4 vampirism is the point where you become actively hostile towards most NPCs and can no longer feed normally.

To check your current stage, look at your active effects. You’ll see the “Vampirism” effect, followed by a number indicating your stage. If it reads “Vampirism (Stage 4)”, you are too far gone and Falion will refuse to help.

You must feed on a sleeping NPC to reduce your vampirism stage back down to stage 1, 2 or 3 before seeking Falion’s help. This is done by sneaking up to a sleeping NPC and activating them; the option to feed should appear.

Acquiring a Filled Black Soul Gem

The next essential component is a filled Black Soul Gem. Unlike standard Soul Gems, Black Soul Gems are used to trap the souls of humanoids.

• Where to Find Them: Black Soul Gems are often found in locations associated with necromancers or vampires, such as caves, forts, or even within the College of Winterhold’s grounds. You can purchase empty black soul gems from Falion himself.
• Filling the Gem: To fill a Black Soul Gem, you need the Soul Trap spell or weapon enchantment and a humanoid target. Cast Soul Trap on a humanoid and kill them while the spell is active. If you have a Black Soul Gem in your inventory, the soul will automatically be captured within it. Common targets include bandits, hostile mages, or even summoned creatures.
• Checking if Filled: Verify that the Black Soul Gem in your inventory is indeed filled. The gem’s description will indicate if it contains a soul.

Initiating the Cure Correctly

Once you’re not at stage 4 vampirism and have a filled Black Soul Gem, you need to speak to Falion at the right time.

• Talk to an Innkeeper or Guard: The quest Rising at Dawn to cure your vampirism must be active. To begin this quest, speak to an innkeeper or guard while you’re a vampire. They should direct you to Falion in Morthal.
• Speaking to Falion: Present the filled Black Soul Gem to Falion when prompted during the dialogue. Make sure you have the filled Black Soul Gem in your inventory when you initiate the conversation. Select the dialogue option that explicitly states you wish to be cured.

Potential Bugs and Workarounds

Skyrim, while beloved, is not without its glitches. If you’ve fulfilled all the above requirements and Falion still refuses to cure you, it’s possible you’ve encountered a bug.

• Reloading Saves: Try reloading a previous save, ideally one from before you contracted vampirism or before you spoke to Falion.
• Leaving and Returning: Leave Morthal and wait for a few in-game days before returning. This can sometimes reset Falion’s dialogue options.
• Console Commands (PC Only): As a last resort on PC, you can use console commands. Type setstage vampirecure 200 to force the quest stage to advance. Be warned that using console commands can sometimes introduce other issues. Always save before using them. You can also use console commands to add a Black Soul Gem to your inventory if needed. The command is player.additem 0002E504 1.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Falion and Vampirism

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Falion and the process of curing vampirism in Skyrim:

1. What happens if I’m already a high-level vampire lord?

Even if you’ve progressed far into the Volkihar vampire questline, you can still be cured by Falion. The stage of your standard vampirism is what matters.

2. Can I contract vampirism again after being cured?

Yes, you are once again susceptible to Sanguinare Vampiris after being cured.

3. How do I avoid contracting vampirism in the first place?

Use potions of resist disease and healing spells whenever fighting vampires. Keep an eye out for the “Sanguinare Vampiris” active effect after battling vampires. If you see it, immediately use a cure disease potion or visit a shrine.

4. Does being a werewolf prevent me from becoming a vampire?

Yes, being a werewolf completely prevents you from contracting vampirism.

5. Can I become a vampire lord again after being cured?

Yes, you can ask Lord Harkon to grant you vampirism again if you rejoin the Volkihar clan.

6. Is Falion the only way to cure vampirism?

Falion is the primary method. Werewolf transformation is the only other alternative.

7. Can I use any filled Soul Gem, or does it have to be a Black Soul Gem?

It must be a filled Black Soul Gem. Standard Soul Gems will not work.

8. What if I accidentally sell the Black Soul Gem I need?

You can purchase an empty one from Falion and refill it. Alternatively, check general goods vendors or return to locations where you previously found them.

9. Does my character’s race affect the vampirism cure?

No, your character’s race has no bearing on the cure.

10. What happens if I kill Falion after he cures me?

Killing Falion has no immediate impact, but it obviously prevents you from seeking his assistance in the future if you were to contract vampirism again. Also, you’ll suffer the consequences of killing an NPC within Morthal.

11. Does completing the Dawnguard questline impact the cure for vampirism?

While the Dawnguard DLC introduces new vampiric powers and abilities, it doesn’t change the core mechanics of Falion’s cure.

12. Can I get cured multiple times by Falion?

Yes, you can seek his assistance multiple times if you repeatedly contract vampirism.

13. Is there a level requirement to start the quest to cure vampirism?

No, there is no level requirement. You can seek Falion’s help as soon as you contract vampirism.

14. What are the benefits of being a vampire in Skyrim?

Benefits include increased resistance to diseases and frost, improved illusion magic, and access to unique vampiric powers like Vampiric Drain and Night Cloak. The Vampire Lord form in the Dawnguard DLC grants further powerful abilities.

15. What are the drawbacks of being a vampire in Skyrim?

Drawbacks include weakness to sunlight, fire resistance, and the need to feed on blood to avoid progressing to Stage 4 vampirism, which makes NPCs hostile towards you.

By carefully following these steps and understanding the nuances of Falion’s cure, you can successfully rid yourself of the undead curse and return to a normal life in Skyrim. Remember to double-check each requirement and troubleshoot any potential bugs to ensure a smooth and successful transition back to mortality.