Welcome to the Sanguinaire Special Edition. This re-release project involves rebuilding the original mod from scratch. Sanguinaire transforms the supernatural curses of vampirism and lycanthropy into a personal horror experience, where your actions, adherence to your former morality, and failure to keep your vampiric nature hidden from the mortals have consequences.

Note on the Previous Rebuild Project: Unfortunately, I had to cease my previous rebuild project due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of a loved one to suicide, and the deaths of two family members. I was not in a fit state to work on it. However, things are improving, and I am now able to return to this project. A re-release of the Fallout 4 version is also planned, which will begin once the Skyrim version is completed.

Development and Testing Release: This version of the mod will be developed over time. We are currently working on the mod's baseline concepts and implementing core aspects into the vanilla vampirism game mechanics. The purpose of this current release is to allow players to test the mod when it is available and provide feedback on bugs. The mod is designed to deliver a very specific concept, and is not designed to cater to the player. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Sanguinaire introduces an experience where the player must learn to adapt to the curse, and while it may seem debilitating to begin with, as the player increases ther core vampire skill level they will become powerful, and benefit from their ability to endure. Sanguinaire is a personal horror and survival experience, so if durability, survival, and consequence are not your thing, you may want to give this one a miss.

When will this mod be available to download?
Currently, I am still working on the Volkihar Clan and the first preview release of the mod will be available to download when this has been completed. I am currently running what I hope will be the last necessary test playthrough with Sanguinaire as a Volkihar. I anticipate the first downloadable test release will be available either in July, or August 2024. If you are interested in seeing the mod in action prior to the first development release, feel free to stop by my Youtube channel where I often host Livestreams regarding Sanguinaire Development.

What is Sanguinaire?
Sanguinaire overhauls and improves the vanilla vampire experience and will in future, implement other bloodlines from the Elder Scrolls Lore, such as Noxiphilic Sanguivoria (Elder Scrolls Online) and variants of Porphyric Hemophilia (Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and others). In addition, Sanguinaire overhauls Lycanthropy and Cannibalism. Sanguinaire will also introduce concepts inspired by the World of Darkness Roleplaying Game, such as morality, the beast within, blood frenzy, and the need to masquerade your vampiric nature to avoid consequences. I will address these concepts before moving on to the details of the bloodlines themselves:

Morality: Becoming a vampire is to die and be reborn. The beast within becomes an inherent part of the vampire, and it's needs often clash with the moral compass that the vampire will often cling to when trying to maintain the life they once new. Commiting immoral acts, harming innocents, and feeding carelessly will slowly distance the vampire from the person they once were. The beast will manifest more powerfully when the vampire's morality is low, which will increase the vampire's durability, but will also create have detrimental effects such as increased bloodlust, and loss of control when in hunger, or in combat. Please see the morality system documentation under the articles tab for more detailed information.

The Silence: Vampires are feared and hated among the mortals, and seen as evil creatures. The player must be careful to conceal their vampiric nature if they wish to avoid social consequences. If the player is known to be a vampire, they may be hunted, refused services and suffer social outcasting from citizens. The player must be mindful not to feed in view of prying eyes, and conscious of using their vampiric powers around mortals to avoid being identified as a vampire. Please see documentation on The Silence under the articles tab for more detailed information.

Compatibility: Sanguinaire overhauls the vanilla game's vampire experience, and therefore cannot be used with other vampire overhauls as it will cause clashes in-game. This should be common sense, but I figured I would mention this anyway, just in case. It is always a good idea to review your mod list when installing an overhaul mod, and ensure there are no clashes. If you decide to watch our development videos over on the channel, you will notice that the mod is being heavily tested at this time. Should the player decide to report a bug, they have a responsibility to first check that their own game and mod setup does not have an issue, as this can cause confusion for both the developer and other players.

Mod Content:
Below you will see a list of vampiric bloodlines and other supernatural aspects that have been updated or implemented into the game with a short description. Each vampire bloodline or supernatural aspect will have an associated core and ability based skill system where appropriate, which will allow the player character to become much more powerful over time. The skill system is designed to be difficult to progress, with rewarding results when it does. Click the link for the associated article for that bloodline or supernatural aspect of the mod to see the full modifications or additions made by Sanguinaire. The list will be updated as and when we have implemented or begun work on a specific bloodline or aspect:

Sanguinare Vampiris (Native Skyrim Vampire Strain): Originating with Lord Harkon, Lady Valerica and Lady Serana of the Volkihar Clan, this vampire bloodline deals in a mix of necromantic, deceptive, and blood magics as part of their inherited skillset. Sanguinaire overhauls the vanilla vampire gameplay and base game mechanics to deliver an improved and balanced experience while remaining as lore friendly as possible. If you intend to play as a Volkihar vampire, you can find the full article on the changes made by Sanguinaire here. or go in blind and accept the innevitable hardship.

Sanies Lupinus (Lycanthropy Disease): Sanguinaire offers a unique experience when it comes to Lycanthropy. The Companions offer Lycanthropy however in Sanguinaire the curse can also be contracted from werewolves in the wild. The disease will incubate for three days, after which the player will become a werewolf. However, Lycanthropy in Sanguinaire intensifies the original curse aspect from the older Elder Scrolls games, and creates an experience that is far more than just a castable power. You can find full details on Sanguinaire's updates to Skyrim's Lycanthropy here.

This list will be updated as development progresses...