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Skyrim Companions: How to Get All Followers

If you're looking for a companion, then check out this guide on how to get all followers in Skyrim.

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.

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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.

A couple of soldiers practicing in Skyrim
Screenshot by GameSkinny

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
LocationRequirement
Argis the BulwarkVlindrel Hall, MarkarthBecome the thane of Markarth
CalderHjerim, WindhelmBecome the thane of Eastmarch
GregorThe White Hall, DawnstarBecome the thane of Pale
IonaHoneyside, RiftenBecome the thane of Rift
Jordis the Sword-MaidenProudspire Manor, SolitudeBecome the thane of Haafingar
LydiaBreezehome, WhiterunBecome the thane of Whiterun
RayyaJarl’s Longhouse, FalkreathBecome the thane of Falkreath
ValdimarHighmoon Hall, MorthalBecome 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
LocationRequirement QuestQuest Giver
Brelyna Maryon
Hall of Attainment, College of WinterholdBrelyna’s PracticeBrelyna Maryon
J’zargoHall of Attainment, College of WinterholdJ’zargo’s ExperimentJ’zargo
OnmundHall of Attainment, College of WinterholdOnmund’s RequestOnmund
CiceroDawnstar Sanctuary, The PaleHail Sithis!Night Mother
Dark Brotherhood InitiateDawnstar Sanctuary, The PaleHail Sithis!Night Mother
Adelaisa VendicciEast Empire Company, Imperial CityRise in the EastOrthus Endario
AhtarCastle Dour, SolitudeKill the Bandit LeaderInnkeepers Stewards
Annekke Crag-JumperDarkwater Crossing, EastmarchKill the Bandit LeaderInnkeepers Stewards
Aranea IenithShrine of Azura, WinterholdThe Black StarAranea Ienith
EolaHall of the Dead, MarkarthThe Taste of DeathEola
ErandurWindpeak Inn, DawnstarWaking NightmareErandur
FaendalRiverwood, WhiterunA Lovely LetterSven, Faendal
FreaSkaal Village, SolstheimThe Fate of the SkaalFrea
GolldirHillgrund’s Tomb, WhiterunAncestral WorshipGolldir
IlliaDarklight Tower, The RiftRepentanceIllia
KharjoAhkari’s Khajiit CaravansMoon AmuletKharjo
LobLargashbur, The RiftThe Cursed TribeAtub
Mjoll the LionessRiften, The RiftGrimsever’s ReturnMjoll the Lioness
OgolLargashbur, The RiftThe Cursed TribeAtub
Ralis SedarysKolbjorn Barrow, SolstheimUnearthedRalis Sedarys
Roggi Knot-BeardKynesgrove, EastmarchGet Ancestral Shield (Dungeon Delving)Roggi Knot-Beard
SeranaFort Dawnguard / Castle VolkiharKindred JudgmentDawnguard Main Quest
SvenRiverwood, WhiterunA Lovely LetterSven, Faendal
Talvas FathryonTel Mithryn, SolstheimFrom the AshesTalvas Fathryon
UgorLargashbur, The RiftThe Cursed TribeAtub

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
LocationRequirement
BenorMorthal, HjaalmarchDefeat Benor in a brawl
Borgakh the Steel HeartMor Khazgur, HaafingarPay the dowry / Persuade Borgkah
CosnachSilver-Blood Inn, MarkarthDefeat Cosnach in a brawl / Buy Cosnach a drink
DerkeethusDarkwater Pass, The RiftHelp Derkeethus escape from captivity
Ghorbash the Iron HandDushnikh Yal, The ReachPersuade Ghorbash / Pay him / Beat him in a brawl
Uthgerd the UnbrokenThe Bannered Mare, WhiterunDefeat 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
LocationRequirement
Armored TrollFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” quest and pay 500 coins
Barbas DogFalkreathStart “Speak to Lod” quest, given by Falkreath Guards
Bran DogFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” quest
CuSith HoundCastle Volkihar, HaafingarComplete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main quest
Garmr HoundCastle Volkihar, HaafingarComplete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main quest
Meeko DogMeeko’s Shack, HjaalmarchNone
RieklingThirsk Mead Hall, SolstheimComplete “The Chief of Thirsk Hall” quest, given by Riekling Chief
Sceolang DogFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” quest
Steadfast Dwarven SphereKagrumez, SolstheimComplete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. quest
Steadfast Dwarven SpiderKagrumez, SolstheimComplete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. quest
Stray DogRandomNone
Vigilance DogMarkarth Stables, The ReachPay 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.


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Serhii Patskan
Serhii is the Writer at GameSkinny. He's been writing for GameSkinny since 2015. Before that, he's been writing for various outlets and playing video games, which eventually turned into a passion. The video games that have contributed the most to his enthusiasm for writing about this industry are Magic: The Gathering, Dark Souls, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
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Djordje Ivanovic
Đorđe Ivanović (Djordje Ivanovic) is a writer that has been with GameSkinny from 2024. He has a BA in Journalism and five years of professional writing experience behind him, with a recent personal focus on gaming and technology niches. His interests include WWII games, puzzle games, Path of Exile, Overwatch and other live service games. In his free time, you will find this adamant fan of Dota solving some sort of escape room games, and getting familiar with board gaming.