Players should expectThe Elder Scrolls 6to take a different perspective with its vampires fromSkyrim, because eachElder Scrollsgame features a different breed. Vampirism in Bethesda’s fantasy universe occurs through a contractible disease, though the “scientific” name given to each of these diseases changes from region to region. InSkyrim, it’s referred to asSanguinare Vampiris, and if players fail to cure it after contracting it from a vampire, it will turn them into a vampire, which is much more difficult to find a cure for.
InOblivion, the fourth installment inThe Elder Scrollsseries, the disease was named Porphyric Hemophilia, which players can also contract via an opportunity withthe Dark Brotherhood,TES’s guild of assassins. Another form of vampirism is called Noxiphilic Sanguivoria, which, unlikeOblivion’s strain, does not cause the host to be weakened or harmed by daylight and instead gains intense strength during the night.
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EachElder Scrollsgame to put a new spin on the classic monster has had its pros and cons. ManySkyrimplayers have debated if playing as a vampire adds much to the experience. On one hand, players can get marginal buffs as spellcasters, however, it requires they also keep up with feeding, or drinking the blood of others. While playing as a vampire, players will be unable to complete the Companions' questline orfight for the Dawnguard. Others wager that it adds an intriguing challenge toSkyrim, though, so it’s a neat feature for veteran players to check out during a playthrough. Still, players can expect all this to change with the nextElder Scrollsinstallment, and it would be interesting to see the vampires take a shape unlike traditional vampires, who are automatically seen as monsters.
Morally Good Vampires in Elder Scrolls 6
Vampires erring on the side of good morality is much more common in the 21st century than it was before. Traditionally, vampires often take on a gothic persona, finding clever ways to feed on humans, but by doing so, they are some form of evil, whether that’s lawful or chaotic. Unfortunately, one of the most common renditions comes from the nefariousTwilight, turning the deadly humanoid monsters into a romantic spoof of what they used to be. Still, it’s one of the most mainstream takes on a “good” vampire as the infamous Cullen family only feeds on the blood of animals rather than humans.
WhileTwilightnow has a strong reputation for its ridiculous and melodramatic nature, it’s not farfetched to think that vampires could take such a form on the planet of Nirn, especially ifThe Elder Scrolls 6takes place after current installments likeSkyrim. After all, the Dawnguard DLC already played with morality to a degree with Serana, who isn’t quite morally evil despite being thousands of years old and can be cured of her vampirism.
Aside from meeting a clan of ethically good vampires inElder Scrolls 6, there are other ways that Bethesda can differentiate these monsters from those in past installments. For example, vampirism is a curable disease, though this may exist for the purpose of the player not being stuck or tied down to the state for their entire playthrough ofSkyrimshould they decide they aren’t a fan. However, this isn’t common in media.Twilightoften cites it as an affliction and a burden; ultimately, the state is pitiful. But inThe Elder Scrolls, it’s often seen as a powerful perk.Skyrimleveled these monstrous abilities to some degree, but it would be interesting to seeThe Elder Scrolls 6employ a factionthat isn’t driven by their corrupt abilities and faith to Molag Bal.
