Life After the Companions: Harbinger’s Next Steps in Skyrim
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So, you’ve conquered the trials of the Companions, purged the Silver Hand, honored Kodlak Whitemane, and emerged as the Harbinger. Congratulations, warrior! But the question now is: What to do after completing the Companions questline? The world of Skyrim is vast, and your journey is far from over. There’s plenty to keep you busy as the newly appointed leader of this venerable group. Your responsibilities and opportunities are only just beginning.
Continuing Your Service to the Companions
Radiant Quests: The Never-Ending Story
The most immediate thing you’ll notice is that the Companions offer an endless stream of radiant quests. These repeatable tasks, like animal extermination, bandit clearing, and retrieval missions, might seem repetitive, but they serve a few important purposes:
- Income: Radiant quests provide a steady flow of gold, essential for buying houses, training skills, or stocking up on supplies.
- Skill Improvement: Each quest offers opportunities to hone your combat skills, whether you prefer melee, archery, or magic.
- Maintaining the Companions’ Reputation: By completing these quests, you uphold the Companions’ reputation as protectors of the people, ensuring their continued success and relevance in Skyrim.
- Totem Quests: You can continue working with Aela to unlock more Beast Form Powers. Do a few radiant quests between each totem quest to unlock the next one.
Commanding Your Fellow Companions
As Harbinger, you have the authority to command most Companions to aid you in battle. This offers a significant advantage in tougher fights. Consider these strategies:
- Assemble a Dream Team: Choose companions who complement your playstyle. Aela the Huntress excels at archery, while Farkas or Vilkas are powerful melee fighters.
- Equip Your Followers: Provide your companions with the best gear you can find or craft. This will significantly boost their combat effectiveness.
- Utilize Their Skills: Remember that each companion has unique skills and abilities. Use them strategically to overcome challenges.
The Skyforge and Nord Hero Equipment
One of the coolest perks of being Harbinger is access to the Skyforge and the ability to forge Ancient Nord Armor and Nord Hero weapons.
- Ancient Nord Armor: A classic, durable armor set perfect for any warrior. It’s relatively easy to craft and provides decent protection.
- Nord Hero Weapons: These weapons are significantly more powerful than their standard counterparts. Crafting them requires Skyforge Steel, obtained by smelting Ancient Nord weapons or purchasing it from Eorlund Gray-Mane.
Beyond the Companions: Expanding Your Horizons
While your duties as Harbinger will keep you busy, don’t limit yourself to just one faction. Skyrim offers a wealth of other adventures and opportunities.
Joining Other Guilds
- The Thieves Guild: If you crave intrigue and stealth, the Thieves Guild offers a compelling storyline and unique skills to master.
- The Dark Brotherhood: For those with a darker bent, the Dark Brotherhood provides a morally ambiguous but undeniably thrilling experience.
- The College of Winterhold: Mages and spellcasters will find a welcoming home in the College of Winterhold, where they can study powerful spells and uncover ancient secrets.
The Main Quest and DLCs
- The Dragonborn Questline: You are, after all, the Dragonborn! Confront Alduin and save Skyrim from destruction. This questline is the central story of the game, offering epic battles and unforgettable moments.
- Dawnguard DLC: Choose your side in the ancient war between vampires and vampire hunters. This DLC adds new locations, characters, and storylines, as well as the option to become a Vampire Lord.
- Dragonborn DLC: Journey to the island of Solstheim to face Miraak, the first Dragonborn, in a battle for ultimate power. This DLC offers a new open-world environment to explore, filled with unique quests and challenges.
Personal Quests and Exploration
- Marriage and Family: Settle down and start a family. Build a house, adopt children, and create a home in Skyrim.
- Become a Thane: Earn the title of Thane in each of Skyrim’s holds by assisting the local Jarl and citizens. This grants you a housecarl (a personal bodyguard) and other privileges.
- Explore Hidden Locations: Skyrim is filled with hidden caves, ruins, and dungeons waiting to be discovered. Embark on your own expeditions and uncover the secrets of the land.
Embracing Your Werewolf Form
The Companions bestowed upon you the gift (or curse, depending on your perspective) of lycanthropy. Don’t let this power go to waste!
- Master the Werewolf Skill Tree: The Dawnguard DLC adds a dedicated skill tree for werewolves, allowing you to enhance your abilities and unlock new powers.
- Embrace the Beast Within: Transform into a werewolf strategically during challenging encounters. Your raw power and speed can turn the tide of battle.
- Cure Your Lycanthropy (If Desired): If you ultimately decide that being a werewolf is not for you, you can cure yourself by completing certain quests. But remember, it’s a one-time deal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do the Companions missions ever end?
No, the “extra work” quests, such as animal extermination, are radiant and never-ending. However, “Glory of the Dead” is the final quest of the main Companions storyline.
2. What do you get for completing the Companions questline?
You gain access to Kodlak’s room, acquire Wuuthrad and the Shield of Ysgramor, and can recruit any Companion as your follower. You also receive Beast Form, with additional powers available through side quests with Aela.
3. Do the Companions ever stop giving work?
No, the radiant quests provided by the Companions are generated by the Radiant A.I. and are therefore never-ending. You can continue to receive quests from various members indefinitely.
4. As Harbinger, am I the leader of the Companions?
Not exactly. The Companions haven’t had a true leader since Ysgramor. As Harbinger, you’re more of an advisor to the council of Companions, guiding them based on tradition and wisdom.
5. Can you be a vampire in the Companions?
You must become a werewolf to progress through the Companions questline. However, you can use Serana (from the Dawnguard DLC) to revert to a Vampire Lord after completing the Companions quests.
6. Can you marry Aela the Huntress?
Yes, you can marry Aela the Huntress after joining the Companions, becoming a werewolf, and completing her associated quests.
7. Do Companions care if you steal in Skyrim?
Some Companions are indifferent to stealing. You can even command them to steal for you. However, Companions with strong moral codes (like Faendal or Mjoll) will disapprove.
8. Can Companions be killed in Skyrim?
Companions you hire at inns or gain through minor quests can die. However, essential Companions, like members of the Circle, are protected and cannot die.
9. Are the Companions honorable in Skyrim?
The Companions are generally considered an order of honorable warriors who are paid to help people with problems. However, their use of lycanthropy and acceptance of morally ambiguous contracts can sometimes blur the lines of pure honor.
10. Can I cure my werewolf form in Skyrim?
Yes, you can cure your lycanthropy during the “Glory of the Dead” quest by acquiring a Glenmoril Witch Head. If you want to get rid of it at any time, seek out the Dawnguard DLC to learn of other ways to get rid of the werewolf curse.
11. Who is the best follower in Skyrim?
This depends on your playstyle, but Serana (from the Dawnguard DLC) is often considered the best follower due to her powerful necromantic abilities and versatility in combat. Aela the Huntress is also popular as a great archer.
12. Are the Companions Stormcloaks or Imperials?
The Companions are a mercenary outfit and do not officially take sides in the civil war. Individual members may have their own opinions, but the group remains neutral.
13. What happens if Lydia dies in Skyrim?
If Lydia dies, console players must load a previous save to get her back. PC players can use console commands to resurrect her.
14. Can my spouse get kidnapped in Skyrim?
Yes, your spouse can be kidnapped by bandits, who will demand a ransom for their safe return.
15. Who is the most popular wife in Skyrim?
Aela the Huntress is widely considered the most popular wife in Skyrim, thanks to her strong personality, skilled archery, and association with the Companions.
The life of the Harbinger is a complex and rewarding one. By embracing your duties to the Companions, exploring the wider world of Skyrim, and mastering your lycanthropic abilities, you can forge your own legend and become a truly unforgettable hero. Don’t forget that learning is a continuous journey. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for resources and discussions on how games can enhance education and personal development.