Companions aren’t a must-have in Skyrim, but it’s helpful to have them around to take a few hits in your stead. You’ll come across some mandatory followers over your time with the main quest, but they are temporary and will leave once you’ve fulfilled their related tasks. Follow our guide to learn how to recruit permanent followers in Skyrim.
How to Hire All Followers in Skyrim
Followers are your right hand in the adventures you undertake in Skyrim. Some would say that they aren’t a necessity, but I would say that the game becomes much richer and more interesting if you have them by your side (and even change from time to time).
There are many exciting followers you can acquire. Some of them can be obtained by simply completing the main questline, while others can be hired through a more difficult process. Getting certain followers will even put you on a path of exploiting small bugs or intentionally not finishing a quest that you’ve taken.
Keep reading and find out complete details about all followers that can be encountered in Skyrim.
Become Thane of Holds
Players can become the thane of the holds in Skyrim for a number of benefits, including obtaining some of the best followers in the game.
In order to become a thane, players need to complete a series of quests given by Jarl. Each hold has its own Jarl and a follower. Here is a list of all the available followers in the holds of Skyrim, including requirements for gaining their companionship:
| Follower | Location | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Argis the Bulwark | Vlindrel Hall, Markarth | Become the thane of Markarth |
| Calder | Hjerim, Windhelm | Become the thane of Eastmarch |
| Gregor | The White Hall, Dawnstar | Become the thane of Pale |
| Iona | Honeyside, Riften | Become the thane of Rift |
| Jordis the Sword-Maiden | Proudspire Manor, Solitude | Become the thane of Haafingar |
| Lydia | Breezehome, Whiterun | Become the thane of Whiterun |
| Rayya | Jarl’s Longhouse, Falkreath | Become the thane of Falkreath |
| Valdimar | Highmoon Hall, Morthal | Become the thane of Hjaalmarch |
Complete Glory of the Dead Quest
“Glory of the Dead” is a quest given by Vilkas, a warrior who can be found at Jorrvaskr, Wind District, Whiterun. If you complete this quest, you will have the chance to recruit seven followers, including:
- Aela the Huntress (Ranger)
- Athis (Warrior)
- Farkas (Blacksmith)
- Njada Stonearm (Warrior)
- Ria (Warrior)
- Torvar (Warrior)
- Vilkas (Warrior)
Complete A New Order Quest
“A New Order” is a quest given by Isran, the leader of the Dawnguard faction. The quest takes place at Fort Dawnguard, which can be entered through Dayspring Canyon in the Rift hold.
Once the quest is completed, you will have the chance to recruit five followers:
- Ingjard (Warrior)
- Durak (Ranger)
- Agmaer (Bandit)
- Beleval (Bandit)
- Celann (Warrior)
Complete Various Quests
You can recruit many more followers by completing several other quests in Skyrim. Here they are:
| Follower | Location | Requirement Quest | Quest Giver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brelyna Maryon | Hall of Attainment, College of Winterhold | Brelyna’s Practice | Brelyna Maryon |
| J’zargo | Hall of Attainment, College of Winterhold | J’zargo’s Experiment | J’zargo |
| Onmund | Hall of Attainment, College of Winterhold | Onmund’s Request | Onmund |
| Cicero | Dawnstar Sanctuary, The Pale | Hail Sithis! | Night Mother |
| Dark Brotherhood Initiate | Dawnstar Sanctuary, The Pale | Hail Sithis! | Night Mother |
| Adelaisa Vendicci | East Empire Company, Imperial City | Rise in the East | Orthus Endario |
| Ahtar | Castle Dour, Solitude | Kill the Bandit Leader | Innkeepers Stewards |
| Annekke Crag-Jumper | Darkwater Crossing, Eastmarch | Kill the Bandit Leader | Innkeepers Stewards |
| Aranea Ienith | Shrine of Azura, Winterhold | The Black Star | Aranea Ienith |
| Eola | Hall of the Dead, Markarth | The Taste of Death | Eola |
| Erandur | Windpeak Inn, Dawnstar | Waking Nightmare | Erandur |
| Faendal | Riverwood, Whiterun | A Lovely Letter | Sven, Faendal |
| Frea | Skaal Village, Solstheim | The Fate of the Skaal | Frea |
| Golldir | Hillgrund’s Tomb, Whiterun | Ancestral Worship | Golldir |
| Illia | Darklight Tower, The Rift | Repentance | Illia |
| Kharjo | Ahkari’s Khajiit Caravans | Moon Amulet | Kharjo |
| Lob | Largashbur, The Rift | The Cursed Tribe | Atub |
| Mjoll the Lioness | Riften, The Rift | Grimsever’s Return | Mjoll the Lioness |
| Ogol | Largashbur, The Rift | The Cursed Tribe | Atub |
| Ralis Sedarys | Kolbjorn Barrow, Solstheim | Unearthed | Ralis Sedarys |
| Roggi Knot-Beard | Kynesgrove, Eastmarch | Get Ancestral Shield (Dungeon Delving) | Roggi Knot-Beard |
| Serana | Fort Dawnguard / Castle Volkihar | Kindred Judgment | Dawnguard Main Quest |
| Sven | Riverwood, Whiterun | A Lovely Letter | Sven, Faendal |
| Talvas Fathryon | Tel Mithryn, Solstheim | From the Ashes | Talvas Fathryon |
| Ugor | Largashbur, The Rift | The Cursed Tribe | Atub |
Pay for Mercenaries
If you don’t have time to do quests to get a follower, then you can simply buy the services of mercenaries for 500 gold coins. These types of followers can be found inside local taverns:
- Belrand (Spellsword) at The Winking Skeever, Solitude
- Erik the Slayer (Barbarian) at Rorikstead, Whiterun
- Jenassa (Ranger) at The Drunken Huntsman, Whiterun
- Marcurio (Mage) at Bee and Barb, Riften
- Stenvar (Warrior) at Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm
- Teldryn Sero (Spellsword) at The Retching Netch, Raven Rock
- Vorstag (Warrior) at Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth
Meet the Strangers
Sometimes, you can meet strangers on the road who will join you after completing some really simple tasks.
| Follower | Location | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Benor | Morthal, Hjaalmarch | Defeat Benor in a brawl |
| Borgakh the Steel Heart | Mor Khazgur, Haafingar | Pay the dowry / Persuade Borgkah |
| Cosnach | Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth | Defeat Cosnach in a brawl / Buy Cosnach a drink |
| Derkeethus | Darkwater Pass, The Rift | Help Derkeethus escape from captivity |
| Ghorbash the Iron Hand | Dushnikh Yal, The Reach | Persuade Ghorbash / Pay him / Beat him in a brawl |
| Uthgerd the Unbroken | The Bannered Mare, Whiterun | Defeat Uthgerd in a brawl |
Recruit Non-Humans
Players can have only one human follower at a time, but you can always recruit an additional non-human character to accompany you.
| Follower | Location | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Armored Troll | Fort Dawnguard, The Rift | Complete “A New Order” quest and pay 500 coins |
| Barbas Dog | Falkreath | Start “Speak to Lod” quest, given by Falkreath Guards |
| Bran Dog | Fort Dawnguard, The Rift | Complete “A New Order” quest |
| CuSith Hound | Castle Volkihar, Haafingar | Complete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main quest |
| Garmr Hound | Castle Volkihar, Haafingar | Complete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main quest |
| Meeko Dog | Meeko’s Shack, Hjaalmarch | None |
| Riekling | Thirsk Mead Hall, Solstheim | Complete “The Chief of Thirsk Hall” quest, given by Riekling Chief |
| Sceolang Dog | Fort Dawnguard, The Rift | Complete “A New Order” quest |
| Steadfast Dwarven Sphere | Kagrumez, Solstheim | Complete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. quest |
| Steadfast Dwarven Spider | Kagrumez, Solstheim | Complete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. quest |
| Stray Dog | Random | None |
| Vigilance Dog | Markarth Stables, The Reach | Pay 500 coins |
Now you know how to get all followers in Skyrim. Also, be sure to check out our other Skyrim tips and tricks articles on the dedicated hub page or visit one of our great guides, like Skyrim Console Commands & Cheats List and Skyrim: How to Get Dragon Scales.
Published: Mar 20, 2024 11:51 am