So, after 17 character levels, and many, many adventures into various caves, crypts, tombs, bandit camps, etc. my Mage's Follower, Farralda (Dunmer chick who usually sits in the alcove of the Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun) has died a heroic death.

Honestly, in the heat of battle I had completely forgotten about the Fire Rune that I had laid down for protection... until she and the Bandit Chief carried their battle right over it.

Now I need a new Follower, and I'm looking for suggestions from the Community on who you'd suggest to accompany me.

Traits I am looking for are: Needs to be a melee fighter to run intercept on my enemies (no ranged combat, my Mage already has that covered), must be willing to work well with a summoned Dremora Lord.

I can work with Heavy Armor specialist, but I'd prefer Light Armor so they can properly use the Shrouded Boots and Gloves that I'm going to give them.

And... that's about it.

So, let me know who you guys would think would work best.

Mjoll, she has heavy armor but is quite powerfull. She can sprint into a large group and survive without your help.
Besides, she is very friendly to you.

Anneke

Who is he and where do you get him?

I'm just getting tired of my follower and after 10 levels of her she is becoming a bit weak too.

Nevermind, I found him - Don't click the link if you don't want spoilers. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Derkeethus

Thanks guys!

So, are there any others that people think are good? I'm open to as many suggestions as I can get.

Erik the Slayer - light armor, 2H melee is a pretty decent follower. He's cheerful and, if properly equipped, very useful. He is a pretty decent archer too, but he tends to melee when my character uses her bow, so I suspect the same would be true for you if you are playing a mage.

take mjoll, last i checked shes essential so will not die and shes pretty good in a tight spot too

theres a downside though, i mean you heard her? she talks all the time

Mjoll could be good. Don't know how stupid she is as a follower, some are awful.

Vorstag is awesome. Smart, not annoying, does'nt walk into your attacks. He looks handsome too.

There are a few orcs. There is a male, Ghorbash The Iron Hand and a female, Borgahk The Steel Hearted. Borgahk is a good person, but has some of the worst ai ever. She tries to melee with bows and throw her melee weapons for ranged and dies if a mage so much as looks at her.
Ghorbash is a bit better. Still bad ai, walks into attacks. He likes bows.

There is also some of the companions. But the ones I tried, the ai is bad.

Stenvorr is good.

I would say use Vorstag.

Mjoll is just a character. She's one of my favorites. Especially since she doesn't use Grimsever after you went through all the trouble to find it for her
But she's heavy armor, and 2 hander. Great melee backup. Also, if you give her the Rose she will use it, and summon a dremora lord of her own.

There's also the Housecarls. My favorite is the cute one from Proudspire Manor

The mage from the Skull of Corruption quest makes for an entertaining follower as well. Like Mjoll, he likes to talk. He's a ranged character though.

Benor from Morthal

Most of the members of the Companions are heavy armor wearing, except for Aela, but she is perfect enough without having to use that crap...

Edit: There are others who are not heavy armor in the Companions, Aela is the first that comes to my mind though.

I tend to use Cosnach from Markarth (Silver-blood inn). Good fighter type, plus love his line if you heal him...

That is actually Jennesa, who is a Dark Elf. Faralda (Altmer) is from the College of Winterhold.

IMHO - You would be best matched with http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Jordis_the_Sword-Maiden.

Jennesa, that's it. lol

And Jordis could work. In a past character I had her as a Housecarl/Follower, and she was very good. I may just do that again.