Skyrim Companions: How to Get All Followers
Companions aren't necessary in Skyrim, but it's more than helpful to have a follower around to take a few hits in your stead when on your travels.
You'll come across some mandatory followers over your time with the main quest, but they are temporary companions and leave once you've fulfilled their related tasks. There are some followers that you can recruit and keep around, and we will go over how you can get them in this guide.
How to Get All Followers 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 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 | 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 | Ancestral Shield | 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 that 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 |
| 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 |
Related guides
- Skyrim Console Commands & Cheats List
- Skyrim: How to Cure Poison
- Skyrim: How to Get Dragon Scales
- Skyrim: How to Get Dragon Bones
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.
Serhii Patskan
Sergey has been a freelancer in the video games industry for more than five years, writing for various publications around the world. His favorite games are MtG, Dark Souls, Diablo, and Divinity: Original Sin.
