Each day that passes without feeding will progress the disease, and at Stage 4, the player will be feared and attacked on sight for their physical deterioration. Upon contracting the disease (or after being bitten by specific NPCs) players have a few days before they progress to Stage One of the affliction and gain access to their first abilities.
There are four stages of vampirism, each offering the player different benefits and drawbacks as well as a selection of unique vampire-oriented spells. The new things this transformation brings to the table are pretty neat and worth checking out for fans of the game who want to enjoy a fresh and unique playthrough of the game. For roleplayers and new players, it's something generally to be avoided, but that doesn't mean vampirism isn't something to try out at least once in Skyrim. There are lots of reasons to stay as a vampire and not seek out a cure, especially for players focusing on a Magicka or Stealth-oriented build.
