So, Lydia and I were on our way to Riften (I think) and came across some mages that were avoidable and that I was perfectly fine with ignoring to continue to our destination BUT because the dumb idiot CAN'T resist those stupid red dots I hit her once in the back and it killed her. I took my things she was carrying and had to get to a point away from the enemy to fast travel home, drop off the goods and continue on my journey. Normally I would have just gone back to my last saved point but unlucky for me I hadn't saved in a while and it had been a LONG walk with fast travel points that I would have lost had I gone back to my last save point. To top it off, Lydia was carrying some awesome things I had found that I didn't want to lose otherwise I would have just left her to her own demise because I had been losing my patience with her for some time now. Things have been better without her however, (long story short) I have now come across a mission where I would like to have a follower as kind of a decoy and just leave at home when I don't need him/her (love that 'wait here' feature).

Where can I find a new companion/follower?

You can get a follower when you become Thane of one of the holds.

To do this first you need to befriend the local Jarl of the Hold then assist his people. Eventually you are given the option to buy a house and if you keep working at it you will be made a Thane and get a follower.

There are many many opportunities to get followers. As mentioned you can get a house carl in most holds. Or you can visit a tavern. There will be hirelings, you need to pay for their services though (500 septims)....and in most cases you'll have to couch up the dough again if you dismiss them.
Some companions can also be found, again, in taverns. Usually they want to brall with you and if you win the brawl.. they will follow for no cost at all.
The guilds all have followers, though you mostly need to advance the questline to hire them (don't have to pay for them).
And then there are some dungeons and other locations where, once you have done a quest for them, people will be available as follower.
For an extensive list:
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Followers

I really like the Markarth House Carl.


He's been my favorite plain old battle type companion.

Yup. Argis is a great tank for me while I pop arrows in stealth from behind.

Mine is Marcurio. Had him for many, many levels after Lydia died.

Marcurio is an apprentice wizard but I gave him armour and a 2 handed axe (I have seen him use). These days, I find I have to more of the work (taking down bad guys) and healing him as well as myself.

He's no good at sneak, gets spotted by the guards (engages them, which draws me into it the fight), he sets off traps (I don't due to sneak perk). This does catch me out from time to time. I do try to get Marcurio to follow me around a trap on the floor...

IS there another person who suits my player style of mage/ archer (with sneak), who could be my followed /companion? This person need to be able to carry lots of loot and not be seen!

A dark brotherhood initiate. They are immortal

Ok. Are they going to set off traps? Or is their sneak skill better?

Also looking for someone to sacrifice on a Daedra quest. I've done favours for others and they gave coin in return. I get called a friend but it doesn't give the option to follow.
I want a person that's not part of guild. I like them too much. Help?

You can buy Merc or beat someone up to earn their respect in an Inn.

Sven.

Mjoll the Lioness is a beast in heavy armor and a 2handed weapon. If you're over level 14 just talk to her about the Thieves Guild and agree they're bad, do her quest to receive her weapon and she'll be your follower. I use her on most of my characters because I've seen her almost solo a blood dragon with just Ancient Nord armor and a Nord Hero Greatsword.

Can't remember if I helped or not. where was that quest when it stated?

A follower to keep, I can't decide. Each have different qualities that I like. Pity I can't keep 2 followers. LOL.

I can't decide between Mjoll (heavy armored), Aranea (conjuration Flame Aronach specialist), Jenassa (archer) or J'zargo (Destruction specialist).

My player style is spellsword (conjuration) and archer. I use to have Marcurio, he is retired to house duties, he can no longer keep up. (I started at level 8 with him after Lydia died). I'm level 52 now.

Sven is in Riverwood. Or you could use Faendal instead, depending on which of them you help.

Hehe.

You inadvertently advertently killed her.

So if you lose a houseyarl they won't get replaced?
I lost Lydia in a battle for some fort (Stormcloacks quest) and now I'm lonely in my Breezerhome.

Dark Brotherhood followers are the only followers that can get 100 sneak when they are at level 50. The only other follower with decent sneak skill is Aela the Huntress who maxes out at 97 sneak. They will all still set off traps though...

Faendal got stuck on some pillar southeast of Windhelm for me. >:3

Lydia died on me :/

So she became my thrall

Well I did let Lydia take the brunt of an attack of bandits. I did re-load to change to ending a few times but the outcome was the same. She was killed by a boss bandit. So I killed him. I was at a low level.
Then I found Marcuio.

cd_be
"So if you lose a houseyarl they won't get replaced?
I lost Lydia in a battle for some fort (Stormcloacks quest) and now I'm lonely in my Breezerhome."

No. Once she dies, it is for good. No replacement. My breezehome stands empty as well.

Solid follower for a Dunmer Spellsword?

I hated Lydia. She was so whiny, and kept getting in my way. The sarcastic way she said "I am sworn to carry your burdens" drove me nuts. Can the attitude when I'm giving you an awesome matching sword/bow combo and some fancy ebony armor! It's not like I'm making you carry brooms! Also when we were sneaking it was like she was clapping pots and pans together. I kept turning to glare at her, but her cow-like eyes registered no shame.

So, I didn't kill her(permanently) but I banished her to Breezehome. My current preferred adventuring buddy is Jordis the Swordmaiden. Pretty, tough, and not a mouthy brat.

My fave follower is the mage Marcurio found at the Bee and Bard Inn in Riften inside by the door facing the circular outdoor market in the middle of town. I use my war axe and he uses his awesome destruction spells along with the fab gear I gave him. He favors two handed weapons when he uses them so does serious damage....at least for me. He has glass gear and weapons. I am not a heavy armor gal..since I am a High Elf... I am thinking about saving and buying bad*** mages robes to see if he prefers them. He complains about carrying stuff but is pretty funny. He rarely gets in the way like stupid, yes I killed her and would do it again Lydia. I have only had to go back to a save a couple of times I killed him or he just disappeared. I save a lot so it works for me. If I kill him I will def go back. LOVE HIM!!!!

If I'm not mistaken, all of the housecarls are equally competent - warrior types that max out at 100 heavy armor, 100 one-hand weapons and 80 blocking. If you meet them before a level at which they're maxed, they'll need to be reset by parting ways and then using the console to "disable" and "enable" the character. Ever since switching to Jordis and sending Lydia home, none of the other housecarls have been as enjoyable. I like her voice, and she looks pretty sixy in Dragonbone armor.

Lydia died on me the first time i took her out. Ran into a fort of Mages. Fights were two or three at once. Turned around and she was dead. Starting to find all the followers annoying. They just seem to get in my way. Thats one of the game features i hope gets better in the future.

I have had Mjoll in three different run-throughs now. She is marryable, highly efficient in battle, uses heavy armor, and can run a decent bow. If you want her to stay back, take away her two hand, and leave her a bow w/arrows. She will stay back and use it. If it's a tank you need, give her back her two handed and let her rip just about anyone apart.

She does have a tendency to pull dragons down on you because of her archery ability. Not as good as Faendal, but good enough to score the occassional hit on a flying dragon.

She is a rock as a tank. I also equipped her with the final dragon priest mask (the tenth? ninth?) so she last even longer under harrowing circumstances. She is a good overall choice.

And that accent....

So I am new... and have a question. Can I keep Lydia in the house I'll eventually get in Whiterun, and get Mjoll as well?