I have a 20 level ranger and sure would like a fighting helper. It could be human or a "pet". Could someone suggest how I might get some help ? I tried to conjure a companion wolf but they seem to die almost instantly when in a fight(perhaps my conjure skill was too low? )

Also can you tell me if companions can stay with you or at a certain level you loose one...and have to secure another ?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Becoming thane of a hold grants you a housecarl, which is a companion that will follow you, fight for you, carry your burden, and so forth. To become thane, you must assist the people of the old (do 3 misc quest) and buy the house available in it's capital. You can also get companions by doing quest, but not all quest grant you an companion (most of it is from Daedric quest). You can find stray dogs in the wild that can become your animal companion, or buy an animal companion from someone. With conjuration you can conjure Daedra and the undead to fight for you, but only for a limited time. If you have a low conjuration skill, the beginner spells will have some weaker Daedra. A companion can stay with you no matter what level you are and you can always part ways with them and have them join you again, or hire another companion you come across in your travels. Hope what I said helps.

Start up the main quest and complete it until the Jarl of whiterun gives you Lydia


They will protect you and they can't die. Unless you kill them

You can gain followers by doing favors for them, receive Housecarls as a Thane, or just hiring a Mercenary from any of the Inns in the Cities.

As others have said, progressing to a certain point in the main questline will earn you the title of Thane, and a Housecarl by the name of Lydia.

You can also hire mercenaries at various inns across Skyrim. Jenassa, for example, is available for hire in the Drunken Huntsman, the hybrid inn/hunting supplies shop near Whiterun's main gate. You'll also be able to take certain people on as followers after doing favours for them or beating them in brawls. For example, helping either Faendal or Sven with their love interest in Riverwood will allow you to take one of them as a follower. L

Followers will stay with you for as long as you like. Most, however, have a level cap of 50, meaning they'll stop levelling once you hit that level.


Untrue. I've seen Lydia killed by a frost troll, and I didn't hit her.

If you are ranger, I suggest Vorstaag in Markarth. He is good tank

Well. According to UESP, She's a protected NPC. And she hasn't died on mine unless i hit her by accident

All companions can be killed. Serana being the only exception as she is essential.

This may be helpful to you:

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Followers

I'm fairly sure there are some other essential followers, from the vanilla game. Mjoll the Lioness is one, if I remember correctly.

Dark brotherhood initiate are one too I think