If you've read our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review, you already know that it is easy to lose yourself in the excitement of fighting dragons or the tranquility of Tamriel's beauty while adventuring throughout the land of Skyrim. After a while, however, it is the loneliness that always sets in. Sure, I just slayed that dragon single-handedly, but I want more hands. I want to do it double-handedly, at least. What if I see two bears making love in the forest? Am I supposed to laugh about it with myself? It could potentially be one of Skyrim's best videos, afterall. No, I need a companion, and so do you. Seeing as how there's no Skyrim mod for friendship, here are Skyrim's best companions to bring along and keep you company on your adventures.
Skyrim's Best Companions
Skyrim may be the most action-packed province of Tamriel, what with dragons raining death from the skies, but that doesn't mean even the mightiest of Nords are resilient to loneliness. Not every potential partner is worth your time, so look through Skyrim's best companions and pick a loyal friend.
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By Sal Basile December 7, 2011 |
| 11 | Lydia |
Where To Find: Whiterun, after completing the quest "Dragon Rising"
Specialization: Two-handed Weapons
Lydia is usually the first Skyrim wench with which most adventurers come across and form a bond. We've been through a lot together. I've come across many other adventurers willing to follow me into battle, but I've chosen to stick with Lydia for reasons beyond my knowledge.
After you slay your very first Dragon and reveal that you are the Dragonborn, Jarl Balgruuf grants you the title Thane of Whiterun and gives you your very own housecarl. At first, you're not quite sure what this means, but then you discover that a housecarl is your brand new, loyal companion. She'll fight with you, hold your crap and let you know when she "has a bad feeling" about something, sort of like a "you're about to die" radar.
She'll also run across every booby trap you've meticulously avoided, set them off and cause a ruckus. Housecarl fail.
| 10 | Jenassa |
Where To Find: The Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun, Must Pay 500 Gold
Specialization: Archery
Don't be too hard on Lydia for screwing everything up, as every comapnion will do this. Upon further inspection of the city of Whiterun, you will find a lone mercenary for hire in The Drunken Huntsman. Jenassa is hanging out by her lonesome on the right when you first walk in, drowning her sorrow in mead.
After a short conversation, you can choose to pay Jenassa 500 big ones for her company. No, she won't give you a "Dragon's Reach" but she will fight alongside you.
| 9 | Erik |
Where To Find: Rorikstead, Must Convince Mralki to Let Erik Become an Adventurer and Pay 500 Gold
Specialization: Two-Handed Weapons
Erik is a farmhand that can found working in Rorikstead. He yearns for the freedom of being an adventurer, but can't convince his father to let him pursue it. How someone who still listens to daddy has the courage to venture into dungeons is beyond me, but complete his little side quest and Erik will transform into Erik the Slayer, the faster, stronger and better version of Erik.
What does Erik the Slayer do with all his new freedom? He hangs out in Rorikstead's inn. Hire him for 500 gold to get a powerful, two-handed weapon wielding ally.
| 8 | Aela |
Where To Find: Whiterun, Must Complete the Quest "Glory of the Dead"
Specialization: Archery
You will first encounter Aela outside Whiterun's city walls fighting alongside her shield-brothers against a renegade Giant. Even though I helped out in the battle, she proceeded to thank me for nothing and rudely brush me off. Little did she know I would soon be her shield-brother and she would be serving me, the Dragonborn.
She's lucky she's good in a fight, because I was about to tell her to wait in a dark, damp crypt and never come back. She also has some awesome side-boob action going on. Don't pretend you haven't been looking.
Not to mention, SPOILER ALERT, she's a wicked sweet werewolf, and not the lame, shirtless Taylor Lautner kind. Although, shirtless would work in this case.
| 7 | Cicero |
Where To Find: Near Loreius Farm, Must Complete the Dark Brotherhood Quest Line and Spare His Life
Specialization: Sneak
You'll first run into Cicero near Loreius Farm, north of Whiterun, with a broken wagon and a few problems of his own. You can choose to help him fix his wagon or report him to the authorities for being suspicious. Why a guy with a broken down wagon is suspicious doesn't really make sense to me, but he is wearing a jester outfit. Maybe that's against the law? Skyrim's war on laughter is getting out of hand if this is true.
Later on, SPOILER ALERT, you'll meet Cicero when running through the Dark Brotherhood quest line, where players will be given the option to kill Cicero or let him live. If you let the Keeper of the Dark Brotherhood live, you will be given the option to take him on as your companion. He has skills similar to those of the Dark Brotherhood initiates and can sneak around with the best of them. Plus, that jester outfit is just boss.
