Skyrim Companions: how to join, the questline and every member
The Skyrim Companions are the warrior guild of Whiterun, based in the mead hall Jorrvaskr in the Wind District, right below the Skyforge. You can walk in and ask to join at any level, no skill checks, and the questline is short: six main quests plus a handful of radiant jobs in between.
This page covers the Skyrim Companions questline in order, with the dungeon each quest sends you to linked on our map, the full Skyrim Companions list (the Circle, the regular members and the staff of Jorrvaskr), and what you get out of it, including lycanthropy and Wuuthrad.
Skyrim Companions questline in order
| Quest | Given by | Where it sends you | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Up Arms | Kodlak Whitemane | Jorrvaskr, Whiterun | Spar with Vilkas in the yard, carry his sword to Eorlund at the Skyforge, bring a shield to Aela, then do one radiant job for Farkas |
| Proving Honor | Skjor | Dustman's Cairn | Clear the barrow with Farkas and bring back a Fragment of Wuuthrad. Reward: a Skyforge Steel weapon and a word of Fire Breath |
| The Silver Hand | Skjor | Gallows Rock | Take Aela's blood in the Underforge and become a werewolf, then clear the Silver Hand fort led by Krev the Skinner. Skjor dies here |
| Blood's Honor | Kodlak Whitemane | Glenmoril Coven | Kill the Glenmoril witches and take their heads. On your return the Silver Hand have raided Jorrvaskr, killed Kodlak and stolen the Wuuthrad fragments |
| Purity of Revenge | Vilkas | Driftshade Refuge | Storm the Silver Hand hideout southeast of Dawnstar with Vilkas and recover the Fragments of Wuuthrad |
| Glory of the Dead | Vilkas (after Kodlak's funeral) | Ysgramor's Tomb | Eorlund reforges Wuuthrad. Carry it into the tomb, throw a witch head into the flame, defeat Kodlak's wolf spirit and become Harbinger |
How to join the Companions in Skyrim
Go to Whiterun and find Jorrvaskr, the upturned longboat of a building in the Wind District. Talk to Kodlak Whitemane in the living quarters downstairs and ask to join. He sends you outside with Vilkas for a short sparring match (use a weapon or your fists, not magic, or Vilkas complains). That starts Take Up Arms.
On your first approach to Whiterun you may run into Aela, Farkas and Ria fighting a giant at Pelagia Farm. Helping them is optional, but Aela remembers it and it is the game's way of pointing you at the guild.
After the sparring you run two errands (sword to Eorlund Gray-Mane at the Skyforge, shield to Aela) and Farkas shows you to your bed. He, Aela, Skjor and Vilkas then hand out radiant jobs: Animal Extermination, Hired Muscle, Trouble in Skyrim, Family Heirloom, Escaped Criminal and Rescue Mission. You need to finish at least one before Skjor offers Proving Honor.
Skyrim Companions list: the Circle and the members
The Circle is the inner group, and every one of them is a werewolf at the start of the questline:
- Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger
- Aela the Huntress
- Skjor
- Farkas
- Vilkas
Regular members who take jobs and drink in the hall:
- Athis
- Njada Stonearm
- Ria
- Torvar
- Vignar Gray-Mane
Jorrvaskr staff: Eorlund Gray-Mane runs the Skyforge and sells Skyforge Steel weapons and Wolf Armor once you are a member; Tilma the Haggard keeps the hall; Brill helps Vignar.
After Glory of the Dead, Aela, Farkas, Vilkas, Athis, Njada, Ria and Torvar all become available as followers, so the Companions are also one of the largest single sources of Skyrim followers.
Becoming a werewolf, and curing it
Lycanthropy is forced on you during The Silver Hand. Skjor and Aela take you into the Underforge, the cave behind the Skyforge, and you drink Aela's blood from the basin. You wake up outside Whiterun in Beast Form, and from then on you have the Beast Form power.
To cure it, keep a spare Glenmoril witch head from Blood's Honor. After you become Harbinger you can go back to Ysgramor's Tomb and throw a head into the Flame of the Harbinger to fight and kill your own wolf spirit. Farkas and Vilkas ask you to do the same for them in the Purity radiant quest. Aela never wants the cure.
Rewards from the Companions questline
- Skyforge Steel weapon of your choice after Proving Honor, plus the right to buy Skyforge Steel and Wolf Armor from Eorlund.
- Beast Form (werewolf) after The Silver Hand.
- Wuuthrad, Ysgramor's battleaxe, reforged by Eorlund before Glory of the Dead. It does extra damage to elves.
- Shield of Ysgramor, in the unlocked boss chest up the ramp in the final chamber of Ysgramor's Tomb, the room where you meet Kodlak's spirit.
- Harbinger title, which lets you use Kodlak's quarters, and Ancient Nord armor and Nord Hero weapons at the Skyforge.
- Shout words: Fire Breath (Proving Honor) and Animal Allegiance, from the word wall on the steps outside Ysgramor's Tomb.
- Trainers: Vilkas (Master Two-handed), Farkas (Master Heavy Armor), Eorlund (Master Smithing), Njada (Expert Block), Athis (Expert One-handed) and Aela (Expert Archery) only train members.
Once you are Harbinger, Aela offers Totems of Hircine (three totems, each a new werewolf power), and Farkas or Vilkas offer Dragon Seekers, a repeatable dragon hunt.
On the map: 6 locations
Eastmarch 1
Falkreath Hold 1
The Reach 1
Whiterun Hold 1
Winterhold 2
Skyrim Companions: how to join, the questline and every member: FAQ
How do I join the Companions in Skyrim?
Go to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun and speak to Kodlak Whitemane. There is no level or skill requirement. Spar with Vilkas, run two errands, finish one radiant job, and Skjor gives you Proving Honor.
How long is the Skyrim Companions questline?
There are six main quests: Take Up Arms, Proving Honor, The Silver Hand, Blood's Honor, Purity of Revenge and Glory of the Dead. Most players finish it in three to four hours including the radiant jobs in between.
Do you have to become a werewolf to finish the Companions?
Yes. The Silver Hand quest only continues after you accept Aela's blood in the Underforge. You can cure yourself later at the Flame of the Harbinger in Ysgramor's Tomb with a Glenmoril witch head.
Who is in the Companions list?
The Circle is Kodlak Whitemane, Aela the Huntress, Skjor, Farkas and Vilkas. Regular members are Athis, Njada Stonearm, Ria, Torvar and Vignar Gray-Mane. Eorlund Gray-Mane, Tilma and Brill are staff.
Where is Dustman's Cairn?
Dustman's Cairn is a Nordic barrow northwest of Whiterun, in the hills toward Rorikstead. It is the destination of Proving Honor and the first Wuuthrad fragment is inside.
What do you get for finishing the Companions questline?
You become Harbinger, keep Wuuthrad, can take the Shield of Ysgramor from the tomb, unlock Ancient Nord armor and Nord Hero weapons at the Skyforge, and seven Companions become followers.
Can I keep the extra Glenmoril witch heads?
Yes. Blood's Honor only needs one head, but every witch in Glenmoril Coven drops one. Extra heads let you cure your own lycanthropy and Farkas and Vilkas in the Purity quests.