Overview

Optimal Quest Start

You can start the Companions Quests when you arrive at Whiterun for the first time, or at any point thereafter. Warriors may wish to join sooner rather than later for access to a wide range of combat skill trainers.

Sanctuary: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun

The Companions’ sanctuary is the Nordic longhouse adjacent to Dragonsreach, on the upper end of Whiterun. This is an ancient and honored mead hall where generations of Companions have met. According to local legend, Jorrvaskr is actually the oldest building in all of Whiterun. It existed alone on the mountain while the city was built up around it over the centuries. It features a main dining area, below which are the living quarters for the whelps and for the Circle and Harbinger.

Outside, there is a training area, and close by is the Skyforge, where the Companions’ weapons are formed. The forge itself is large, ancient, and built outside on a mountain, close to the sky. Below the Skyforge is a ceremonial area known as the Underforge, which is out of bounds except on rare occasions.

Important Characters

Founder: Ysgramor

Ysgramor was born in Atmora, the ancestral land for all humans. He and two of his sons were the only survivors of the Night of Tears, when the elves attacked Saarthal and killed all the other inhabitants. Ysgramor retreated to Atmora, rallied an army of Five Hundred Companions, and led them to vanquish the elves and drive them out of Skyrim.

Harbinger: Kodlak Whitemane

For 20 years now, Kodlak has commanded the Companions, balancing his tactical skill, ferocity in combat, and commanding presence. But those days are drawing to a close. A year ago, Kodlak contracted the rot and his condition has rapidly diminished. He has become weak in body, and his frustration shows. He’s taken to locking himself behind closed doors, poring over old documents, desperate to cure himself of lycanthropy.

The Circle: Aela the Huntress

Aela is the latest in a long family of women in the Companions. Her mother was a member, as was her grandmother and every woman in her family for generations. Aela claims that her line runs back to Hrotti Blackblade, one of the original Five Hundred Companions. Aela was not raised in the Companions like Vilkas and Farkas were, but it has been a fixture in her life from a very early age.

• Trainer (Archery: Expert): Aela the Huntress

The Circle: Farkas

Farkas and his twin brother, Vilkas, were both raised in the Companions by a man named Jergen, who rescued them from a circle of necromancers. Farkas is a bit cavalier with his Beast Form and a bit loose with his tongue, even to his superiors. This is not a big deal in the Companions, but he shows more disrespect to the older members than others do. Farkas is also...a bit slow.

• Trainer (Heavy Armor: Master): Farkas

The Circle: Vilkas

Vilkas and his twin brother, Farkas, were raised in Jorrvaskr—a place not accustomed to the sight of children. Only Tilma the Haggard offered them anything in the way of comfort. Several years ago, Jergen was killed in a battle with brigands near Dawnstar. Vilkas serves as the Master at Arms and is in charge of training younger members in weapon combat. He is hard on his students but is an excellent teacher.

• Trainer (Two-Handed: Master): Vilkas

The Circle: Skjor the Scarred

Skjor’s early life was one common among the Companions. He fought in the Great War and returned to Skyrim after the Empire’s defeat. He earned a reputation as being a sword for hire and was eventually recruited by the Companions. Skjor has always seen his role as the steady and loyal friend to those in power. He has few ambitions of his own, beyond supporting and standing by those to whom he has sworn loyalty. There is no one in the Companions with a greater sense of duty and honor.

Member: Athis

Adept in one-handed weaponry, Athis is a Dark Elf who keeps quiet most of the time. He is civil and loyal, but never at the forefront of any battles.

• Trainer (One-Handed: Expert): Athis

Member: Njada Stonearm

An impressive brawler and expert at blocking, but with an unpleasant attitude and uncaring disposition, Njada has few friends, which is just how she likes it.

• Trainer (Block: Expert): Njada Stonearm

Member: Ria

Ria is the youngest of the whelp recruits and is determined to fight and die alongside her Shield-Brothers. She is especially in awe of Aela the Huntress.

Member: Torvar

Torvar is a recent whelp and isn’t taking well to the intensive training. He grows ever weary and anxious; the thought of dying in battle terrifies him.

Member: Vignar the Revered

Vignar the Revered was once a general and commander in the Legion during the Great War. He led brave warriors for nearly 30 years. That was a long time, though, and now Vignar lives a life of peace and relative quiet. He holds a place of honor among the Companions, and the group welcomes his council.

Housekeeper: Tilma the Haggard

Tilma the Haggard has been the single servant of Jorrvaskr for as long as anyone can remember. The Companions joke that they built the mead hall around her. To an outsider, it may seem as if Tilma is little more than a slave. But she is definitely there by choice and is committed to her duties and the warriors of Jorrvaskr.

Blacksmith: Eorlund Gray-Mane

Eorlund Gray-Mane is the patriarch of Clan Gray-Mane, one of the oldest, most respected families in Whiterun. Eorlund is widely known to be the best blacksmith in all of Skyrim. Although not a Companion himself, his wares have become the stuff of legend and are especially prized by the Companions. Eorlund is very old (and has a brilliant mane of long gray hair), but his long hours working the Skyforge have kept him incredibly fit.

• Trainer (Smithing: Master): Eorlund Gray-Mane

Training

The main members of this guild of fighters are extremely talented in a particular skill. Speak to each of them and increase the chosen skill by a point, to a maximum of five points before you level up. If you have enough gold, you can complete this numerous times:

Available Quests

There are a total of 19 quests available with the Companions. Six of these are Critical Path Quests, and 13 are Radiant Quests.

Critical Path Quests

Simply referred to as “quests,” these are the main quests you attempt with the Companions. All but the first quest have one or more prerequisites, as shown in the following table:

Radiant Quests

These are usually smaller quests that require you to complete a task for a particular Companion. The Initial Wave Radiant Quests are available first, and remain available after the critical path quests are complete. The Second Wave quests are next; you must complete two to begin Companions Quests: Blood’s Honor. The Final Wave quests only become available after all of the critical path quests are complete.

In each case, the objectives of a Radiant Quest are usually random. They are listed in more detail after the Critical Path Quests, but consult the following table to learn the prerequisites required to begin every Radiant Quests: