The Companions are a warrior guild inSkyrim, based in Whiterun. They employ fighters to perform jobs when they are hired by the public, essentially functioning like mercenaries — albeit much better organized and more reliable. Sometimes they’re hired to defeat a pesky creature, like a giant attacking a farm, or it may be to take down someone who has a bounty on their head.
RELATED:Skyrim: Locations We’d Love To Experience All Over Again
If you’ve played Skyrim, you probably know all that. However, how much do you know about the founding of this mighty institution? We’re here to help withdetails on Skyforge, Jorrvaskr, the Circle, and their arch-rivals, the Silver Hand.
The Companions Arrive In Skyrim, Find The Skyforge, And Build Jorrvaskr
The Companions’namesake is theFive Hundred Companions:the army raised byYsgramorto get revenge on the Snow Elves. After he had left Atmora and discovered the continent, Ysgramor foundedSaarthalas the capital of Skyrim. However, Saarthal was destroyed by the Snow Elves in a tragedy eventually known as theNight of Tears. Ysgramor raised the Five Hundred Companions to avenge that tragedy.
After the war,Ysgramor sailed his fleet back to Skyrim and landed permanently.The army split up and mapped and settled the unexplored parts of the continent on their leader’s command.Ysgramor and his Circle of Captainsreclaimed Saarthal, though it was never returned to its original glory.
One Captain from Ysgramor’s crew,Jeek of the River, traveled south with his crew. Eventually, they discovered what they described as a “monument of a bird whose eyes and beak were opened in flame.” The crew noticed that theelves seemed to fear this monumentand decided to settle near it.
They learned to forge steel there andit became known as the Skyforge,producing weapons and armor that were stronger and deadlier than if they’d been made at any other forge.The building they built beside it wasJorrvaskr, which would go on to become theCompanions' headquarters.Their boat formed the roof, which was comforting to the crew because it was made with Atmoran wood.
RELATED:Skyrim: Fun Facts And Trivia You Need To Know About The Game
The Founding Of The Companions As We Know Them
Though they were splintered,the Companions never forgot their loyalty to Ysgramor and one another.Once there was less exploring that needed doing (a few hundred years later) the Companions regrouped andbegan to work as soldiers for hirein wars.
After Ysgramor’s death, the Companions never tried to choose another leader.Instead, they saw one another as kin and only had one Harbinger, who acted as an advisor in order to resolve disputes, decide on matters of honor and justice, and counsel the Companions through challenging times.
Harbingersare respected by leaders across Skyrim, not just among the Companions, since they areusually experienced warriors. In addition to the Harbinger, the Companions have a group of high-ranking, experienced members known asThe Circle. This draws its name from theCircle of Captains: a group of honorable warriors from the Five Hundred Companions that were highly respected and represented their crew in a council-like gathering.
Eventually, the Companions' role as soldiers for hire caused conflict.When both sides of a war could both hire Companions, it could force Shield-Brothers and -Sisters to fight one another. One Harbinger,Mryfwill, put a stop to this by decreeing that the Companions wouldno longer fight in any waror other political struggle.
His emphasis on honor created a mindset within the Companions, and a reputation outside it, thatthe Companions were impartial, honorable, and reliable peoplewho could solve a conflict with their steady minds, not just their strong fists.
Since Companions could no longer fight in wars, they took up whatever jobs required a strong arm or sword.They gained popularity thanks to their reliability and high reputation among the people.
RELATED:Skyrim: Paladin Build Guide
Becoming Werewolves And The Circle
Sometime after Ysgramor’s death,a Harbinger named Terrfygmade a deal with a mysterious order —the Glenmoril Witches— because he thought they could give him more power.
He was right, in a way.The Witches tricked him and infected him with lycanthropy.Ever since then,every Harbinger and all members of the Circle have been werewolves.At some point, the Underforge was built under the Skyforge to be a place for the Circle tomeet secretly and perform ritualssuch as initiating new members.
The Silver Hand
Not much is known about theSilver Handexcept that they arean organization of fanatics who despise werewolves,led by a man known asKrev the Skinner. We don’t know when they were founded or by whom.
Unlike most of the population of Skyrim,members of the Silver Handare aware that the highest-ranking members of the Companions are werewolves,so they target them in particular. They use silver weapons almost exclusively.
