You’re walking through the Temple District of the Imperial City at night. It’s quiet. Suddenly, a woman named Ralsa Norvalo approaches you with a hushed tone. She doesn't want your gold; she wants you to meet her husband. This is how most players stumble into the Oblivion Order of the Virtuous Blood, a questline that feels less like a standard RPG trope and more like a classic Hammer Horror film dropped into the middle of Tamriel.
It’s easy to miss. Honestly, if you aren't the type to wander the capital’s residential streets after dark, you might play through the entire game without ever seeing it. But for those who do, it opens up one of the most morally ambiguous and mechanically rewarding side stories in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
What’s Actually Happening in Seridur's Basement?
The setup is simple. You go to Seridur's house. You meet a group of "vampire hunters" who look more like they’re attending a wine tasting than a monster hunt. They call themselves the Order of the Virtuous Blood. Seridur, an Altmer with a lot of confidence and a very nice house, tells you that a man named Roland Jenseric is a vampire preying on the city.
He wants you to kill him.
But Oblivion was always good at these little subversions. When you finally track Roland down to his remote cabin, he doesn't lung at your throat. He talks. He tells you that it’s actually Seridur who is the monster. Now you have a choice. Who do you believe?
If you’ve played a lot of Bethesda games, you know the "twist" is coming, but in 2006, this was peak storytelling. Even today, the way the quest handles the investigation—forcing you to go to First Edition to find Seridur's old notes—feels more "detective-like" than the waypoint-chasing of modern titles.
The Mechanics of Vampire Dust
Let’s talk shop. Most players want to join the Order of the Virtuous Blood for one reason: the gold.
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Once the quest is resolved (and assuming you didn't kill the wrong guy), the Order becomes a functional faction. They offer you a "bounty" for every sample of Vampire Dust you bring back.
- The Payout: 250 gold per sample.
- The Context: In the early game, 250 gold is huge. It's the difference between wearing fur armor and buying a decent piece of enchanted gear.
- The Catch: You have to actually kill vampires to get it, and in Oblivion, vampires are some of the nastiest enemies because of the risk of contracting Porphyric Hemophilia.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward loop. If you’re playing a character who isn't interested in the Mages Guild or the Dark Brotherhood, this provides a steady "job." It gives you a reason to delve into those creepy Ayleid ruins you’d otherwise avoid.
The Seridur Problem: A Study in Altmer Arrogance
Seridur is a fascinating antagonist because he’s so blatant. He hides in plain sight. He uses his status as a wealthy citizen to mask his predations. This is a recurring theme in Cyrodiil—the rot underneath the gold and marble.
When you finally confront him in Memorial Cave, he doesn't just fight; he gloats. He mocks the very Order he created. It turns out the Oblivion Order of the Virtuous Blood was originally just a way for him to eliminate "competition" and feed his ego. He’s a vampire who started a vampire-hunting club. That’s top-tier irony.
It’s also worth noting the difficulty spike here. If you go into Memorial Cave at a high level, Seridur and his minions scale aggressively. He can be one of the tougher humanoid fights in the game because of his speed and the cramped quarters of the cave. Bring Dispel. Seriously.
Why Roland Jenseric is the Better Boss
If you side with Roland (the correct choice, factually speaking), he takes over the Order. He’s much more humble. He moves into the Imperial City and keeps the mission alive for the "right" reasons.
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The transition of the Order from a vanity project for a predator to a legitimate community service group is one of those small world-building details that makes the Imperial City feel lived-in. It isn't just a static quest; the political structure of this tiny, three-person club actually changes based on your intervention.
Surviving the Hunt: Tips for the Virtuous
If you’re planning to make the Order of the Virtuous Blood your primary source of income, you need a strategy. Vampires in Oblivion are not the sparkly kind. They use Silence spells. They use Drain Speed. They will ruin your day.
- Cure Disease is Mandatory. Keep potions or a spell ready. If you wait more than three days after a fight, you’re becoming a vampire yourself, and the Order won't be very happy to see you then.
- Silver or Magic. Remember that vampires have a resistance to normal weapons. If you’re swinging an iron longsword, you’re just wasting your time.
- Sunlight is Your Friend (Sort of). While the game doesn't let you lead them outside to burn like in the movies, many vampire dens have traps that can be used against them.
- Farm the Right Places. Locations like Fanacas or Lipsand Tarn are goldmines for dust.
The Long-Term Value of the Ring of the Sun
Once you finish the quest, you get the Ring of the Sun.
It’s a solid piece of loot. It grants Resist Disease and Resist Magic. While it’s not the most powerful ring in the game (nothing beats a custom-enchanted Transcendent Sigil Stone ring), for a mid-level adventurer, it’s a staple. It represents your status in the Order. It’s a badge of office that actually has utility.
But the real reward isn't the ring. It’s the honorary title. Being "Brother" or "Sister" of the Order gives you a sense of belonging in a city that often feels cold and bureaucratic.
Misconceptions About the Order
A lot of people think you can "level up" in the Order like you do in the Fighters Guild. You can't. It’s a flat structure. You do the quest, you get the membership, and you sell the dust. That’s it.
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Some players also worry that joining will mess up their standing with the Dark Brotherhood or other "evil" factions. It doesn't. You can be the most virtuous vampire hunter in the world by day and a Cold-Blooded Killer by night. The game doesn't care about your hypocrisy, which is part of the charm.
The Legacy of the Virtuous Blood
Why do we still talk about the Oblivion Order of the Virtuous Blood nearly two decades later?
Because it’s a self-contained story that works perfectly. It doesn't require you to be the Hero of Kvatch. It doesn't require you to save the world. It’s just a weird thing that happened in a basement in the Temple District.
It captures the "Gothic" side of Oblivion that often gets overshadowed by the bright green forests and the fiery gates of hell. It’s about shadows, secrets, and the fact that the person who looks the most virtuous is often the one with the sharpest teeth.
If you’re jumping back into Cyrodiil, make a point to head to the Temple District. Look for Ralsa. Listen to her story. Just make sure you bring a silver sword—and maybe some garlic, just for the aesthetic.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
- Check the Calendar: The quest is triggered by Ralsa Norvalo, but she only appears in the Temple District during specific hours. If you can't find her, wait until evening.
- Investigate Thoroughly: Don't just kill Roland. Talk to him in his cabin (Roland Jenseric's Cabin, east of the Imperial City). It’s the only way to get the full story and the best reward.
- Save Your Dust: Don't sell vampire dust to alchemists or general merchants. The 250 gold per sample from the Order is significantly higher than any price you’ll get elsewhere, regardless of your Mercantile skill.
- Leveling Strategy: Complete this quest around level 10-15 to ensure the Ring of the Sun has its best possible stats relative to your enemies, as loot scaling is a major factor in Oblivion.