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.

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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
LocationRequirementArgis the BulwarkVlindrel Hall, MarkarthBecome the thane of MarkarthCalderHjerim, WindhelmBecome the thane of EastmarchGregorThe White Hall, DawnstarBecome the thane of PaleIonaHoneyside, RiftenBecome the thane of RiftJordis the Sword-MaidenProudspire Manor, SolitudeBecome the thane of HaafingarLydiaBreezehome, WhiterunBecome the thane of WhiterunRayyaJarl’s Longhouse, FalkreathBecome the thane of FalkreathValdimarHighmoon 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 GiverBrelyna Maryon
Hall of Attainment, College of WinterholdBrelyna’s PracticeBrelyna MaryonJ’zargoHall of Attainment, College of WinterholdJ’zargo’s ExperimentJ’zargoOnmundHall of Attainment, College of WinterholdOnmund’s RequestOnmundCiceroDawnstar Sanctuary, The PaleHail Sithis!Night MotherDark Brotherhood InitiateDawnstar Sanctuary, The PaleHail Sithis!Night MotherAdelaisa VendicciEast Empire Company, Imperial CityRise in the EastOrthus EndarioAhtarCastle Dour, SolitudeKill the Bandit LeaderInnkeepers StewardsAnnekke Crag-JumperDarkwater Crossing, EastmarchKill the Bandit LeaderInnkeepers StewardsAranea IenithShrine of Azura, WinterholdThe Black StarAranea Ienith EolaHall of the Dead, MarkarthThe Taste of DeathEolaErandurWindpeak Inn, DawnstarWaking NightmareErandurFaendalRiverwood, WhiterunA Lovely LetterSven, FaendalFreaSkaal Village, SolstheimThe Fate of the SkaalFreaGolldirHillgrund’s Tomb, WhiterunAncestral WorshipGolldirIlliaDarklight Tower, The RiftRepentanceIlliaKharjoAhkari’s Khajiit CaravansMoon AmuletKharjoLobLargashbur, The RiftThe Cursed TribeAtubMjoll the LionessRiften, The RiftGrimsever’s ReturnMjoll the LionessOgolLargashbur, The RiftThe Cursed TribeAtubRalis SedarysKolbjorn Barrow, SolstheimUnearthedRalis SedarysRoggi Knot-BeardKynesgrove, EastmarchGet Ancestral Shield (Dungeon Delving)Roggi Knot-BeardSeranaFort Dawnguard / Castle VolkiharKindred JudgmentDawnguard Main QuestSvenRiverwood, WhiterunA Lovely LetterSven, FaendalTalvas FathryonTel Mithryn, SolstheimFrom the AshesTalvas FathryonUgorLargashbur, 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
LocationRequirementBenorMorthal, HjaalmarchDefeat Benor in a brawlBorgakh the Steel HeartMor Khazgur, HaafingarPay the dowry / Persuade BorgkahCosnachSilver-Blood Inn, MarkarthDefeat Cosnach in a brawl / Buy Cosnach a drinkDerkeethusDarkwater Pass, The RiftHelp Derkeethus escape from captivityGhorbash the Iron HandDushnikh Yal, The ReachPersuade Ghorbash / Pay him / Beat him in a brawlUthgerd 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
LocationRequirementArmored TrollFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” quest and pay 500 coinsBarbas DogFalkreathStart “Speak to Lod” quest, given by Falkreath GuardsBran DogFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” questCuSith HoundCastle Volkihar, HaafingarComplete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main questGarmr HoundCastle Volkihar, HaafingarComplete “The Bloodstone Chalice” main questMeeko DogMeeko’s Shack, HjaalmarchNoneRieklingThirsk Mead Hall, SolstheimComplete “The Chief of Thirsk Hall” quest, given by Riekling ChiefSceolang DogFort Dawnguard, The RiftComplete “A New Order” questSteadfast Dwarven SphereKagrumez, SolstheimComplete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. questSteadfast Dwarven SpiderKagrumez, SolstheimComplete “The Kagrumez Gauntlet” misc. questStray DogRandomNoneVigilance 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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