Oblivion Remastered: Staying Healthy in Cyrodiil and Conquering Disease
The Unseen Threats: Understanding the Ailments of Oblivion
The Common Ailments
In the vast, perilous landscape of Cyrodiil, the world of Oblivion is a constant test of your skills and endurance. From the fiery Daedric gates that tear into Tamriel to the dangers lurking in every shadowy dungeon, your character faces a multitude of threats. Among these, one of the most insidious is the constant threat of disease. Contracting an ailment can cripple your character, hindering their progress and diminishing their ability to survive. Therefore, in a hypothetical “Oblivion Remastered,” understanding and mastering disease management becomes even more critical. This guide delves into how to stay healthy, what diseases you’ll encounter, and how to combat them in the world of Oblivion.
The most common diseases can affect you in a variety of detrimental ways. Ataxia, for example, can significantly weaken your strength and agility, making it harder to swing your sword or run from danger. Brain Fever, can impair your intelligence and will power, potentially impacting the effectiveness of your spells and your ability to make important decisions. Blood Poisoning is especially nasty, diminishing your stamina, which is essential for fighting and sprinting. Other common ailments like Sanguinare Vampiris (Vampirism) can be caught from bats and certain creatures, and can become a much bigger problem and have different effects. Many other diseases can negatively impact your character’s stats, which, in turn, make it harder to perform vital actions, such as attacking enemies or exploring.
The primary source of diseases is the creatures and environments throughout Cyrodiil. Rats, wolves, bears, and goblins, among others, are all capable of transmitting these nasty ailments. Even simply traversing a disease-infested area can put you at risk. Standing in the swamp of Black Marsh can increase the likelihood of contracting a disease from the environment. The dangers are ubiquitous.
Healing and Restoration: Your Arsenal Against Affliction
Fortunately, Oblivion offers a variety of effective ways to heal, but the best way is to prevent disease! However, if you do contract a disease, you can begin your quest for recovery. Several methods are available, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
Potions: A Quick and Portable Remedy
One of the most readily accessible solutions is the use of “Cure Disease” potions. These handy concoctions are available for purchase from various merchants and alchemists scattered across Cyrodiil. The cost can vary, but they’re generally affordable. Keep an eye out for them when you’re shopping!
Beyond the convenience of a pre-made potion, you can also create your own. This opens up a whole new area of the game. The ingredients needed to create a “Cure Disease” potion are usually common and easy to obtain. Some common ingredients are: Blessed Thistle, Begonia Leaves, and Gland.
Spells: Harnessing the Power of Magic
For those inclined toward the arcane arts, the schools of Restoration offer a more active approach. Restoration spells, designed for healing and protection, include a “Cure Disease” spell that can eliminate the effects of any non-magical illness. You can get this spell early in the game by joining the Mages Guild or by finding a spell tome. The main advantage of spells is their reusability. You can cast them as many times as your Magicka permits, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run. However, spells require you to invest in the skills necessary to cast them, as well as keeping up a supply of Magicka potions, which can become expensive.
Divine Intervention: Seeking Refuge at the Shrines
Perhaps the most reliable cure comes from the divine. Shrines of the Nine Divines, the gods of Tamriel, are scattered across the landscape. Visiting a shrine and activating it will provide you with a blessing, often including a complete cure for any disease.
Each shrine has a different god for which it is dedicated. The Shrine of Zenithar, for example, is the god of trade, and offers a strong blessing that is readily available. There’s The Shrine of Stendarr, which is a quick cure located near the beginning of the game. In the city of Cheydinhal, The Shrine of Akatosh is a great option. To activate a shrine, simply walk up to the altar and interact with it. The effect is immediate and often free, making shrines an excellent choice for players who can locate them.
The Vampire’s Curse: A Complicated Case
One of the most unique and impactful diseases you can encounter is Sanguinare Vampiris, leading to vampirism. Unlike other diseases, vampirism is not easily cured. It’s a more advanced ailment. You will need to seek specific aid if you have become infected.
If you find yourself turning into a vampire, you can cure yourself by undergoing a quest. This is a more involved quest that requires visiting the character in Chorrol. You must complete the quest for a permanent cure.
Proactive Measures: Preventing Contagion
Curing a disease is essential, but it’s even better to avoid getting sick in the first place. By taking some preventative measures, you can significantly reduce your chances of contracting these ailments.
Avoidance: Recognizing the Risk
Awareness is a powerful tool in Oblivion. Learning to identify and avoid potential disease sources is the first line of defense. Stay away from packs of wolves, swarms of insects, and other creatures known to carry diseases. If you must enter a risky environment, be prepared to cure yourself quickly.
Early Detection: Being Proactive
Pay close attention to your active effects menu, which is a vital part of the game. Monitor this menu and quickly identify the source of the disease before the effects begin to cripple your character. Many diseases take time to wear off. Waiting in the game is often a valid method.
Magical Scrying: The Power of Sight
There are spells that can help detect diseases. Spells in the alteration school can be used to discover if you have a disease. Spells that reveal diseases can be important to maintaining your health throughout the game.
The Rewards of Good Health
Maintaining good health in Oblivion offers numerous benefits that extend beyond simply avoiding negative effects.
Unimpeded Gameplay: Maximizing Your Capabilities
By staying healthy, you allow yourself to perform at your peak ability. You’ll be stronger, faster, and more resilient. Diseases can severely impede your ability to effectively engage in combat, explore the world, and level up your character.
Immersion: Living in the Moment
For players seeking a rich roleplaying experience, taking care of your character’s health adds another layer of immersion. Seeing your character visibly afflicted by illness can diminish the experience. In many ways, the ability to maintain a healthy character is one of the best ways to fully engage with the game.
Oblivion Remastered: What to Expect
If “Oblivion Remastered” were to become a reality, several enhancements could influence the way diseases are managed.
Improved Visuals and Gameplay:
A visual update could showcase the effects of diseases more realistically, enhancing the roleplaying aspect. Gameplay enhancements could see changes to how the various cures are implemented or presented.
Streamlined User Interface:
A more intuitive user interface could make it easier to identify and manage diseases, possibly with more detailed information about symptoms, sources, and cures. A visual indicator on your character’s health bar could be a great way to identify disease.
The Path to Wellness: Concluding Thoughts
In the dynamic world of Oblivion, the battle against disease is a constant one. By understanding the threats, mastering the available cures, and taking preventative measures, you can ensure your character’s health and well-being. Knowing how to cure diseases and staying proactive is essential to thrive.
So, as you journey through Cyrodiil, remember to watch out for the dangers. Whether you rely on potions, spells, or the power of the divine, prioritize your character’s health. By taking these steps, you’ll be better prepared to confront the many dangers that await you, and your journey in Oblivion will be all the more rewarding. Be vigilant, and be well!
