So I have been contemplating how to construct the largest group possible to run around with. 7 indoor/8 outdoor was the largest I could devise, but I believe I have figured out a way to get it up to 9/8. I'm posting this so you guys can point out any holes or flaws in the logic, and I 'll end with a question that makes or breaks the one additional. Here we go......

First, acquire a follower. I use Mjoll, it shouldn't matter who you choose. Then acquire a horse and dog. You now have 4 outside/3 inside. Do the main quest until you reach the pint where you are supposed to escort Esbern and Delphine to the Sky Alter, or whatever it's called. This gives you 6 out/ 5 in. Esbern will summon an atronarch when battle starts, so +1. You can summon an atronarch, so +1 more. There is the 8 out/7 in I had this morning.

So the question that could give you 9 out/ 8 in, can you summon the spectral assassin and an atronarch at the same time? If not, a staff or spell that raises dead/zombie would work, but you have to wait til someone dies.

I believe you could walk around with this crew until you continue the MQ line, and take Esbern and Delphine to the temple. You could potentially finish the other side quest lines with this whole crew, except the parts where "your follower can not enter here" interferes.

Thoughts? Holes in the theory?

You can get the conjuration perk to allow two summonses. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure the spectral assassin counts as a summons, so you couldn't have him and an atronach without the perk.

No clue about "holes in the theory" - but um.... why on earth do you need all that? Not to mention the game's not very hard to begin with, maneuvering that many bodies is probably going to blow up your game and/or your machine....

Holy crap why didnt i think of that? 2 extra followers.

also, during a certain questline you can get a second dog follower named barbas, thats +1 right?

There are several side quests involving an "artificial follower" where you could add on more by skipping out on the quest part like you did with Delphine and Esbern. And as for your "real follower"... make sure they can summon stuff to add to the total... also, you can use Dead Thrall on certain NPC's who will also summon their own beasties... I think Savos Aren conjures a dremora lord before every fight. Give a follower/ thrall the Sanguine Rose to simulate Savos Aren, if you want.

-Loth

PS Serethil is right... you're going overboard, but this is a fun exercise.

I thought about Barbas, and have had Meeko and him at the same time, so yes, it's possible. Barbas is irritating if you don't go on his quest, and will push you in roughly the direction he would like you to go when you are trying to sneak. It's possible, but extremely irritating.

There's a mod to fix Barbas pushing you - if you're on pc....

No reason what-so-ever in truth. Mostly mental gymnastics while I stare at pointless day-before-a-holiday numbers at work. These guys would definitely get in the way indoors, especially if you tried to turn around in a hallway. It's amazing how a seemingly 120 lb waif like Mjoll can block the entire road, add in half a dozen friends and you end having to try to murder them to get around (I actually kept Esmer and Delphine with Mjoll to clean out a dragon wall on my way to the sky alter place, and had to punch Esmer with my bow to get him out of my way when I was trying to use two rocks for cover/ambush).

That being said, invading Winterhold or Solitude in the rebellion quest line with a gang of followers could be fun. Summon Odaviiingnginggn for an extra punch... lol

Wait, if I have Mjoll, a horse, and a dog, how does that equal 4 outside companions and 3 inside companions?

Well, there is that of course. I was just thinking about the number of bodies, positions, the wireframes, etc. - my machine's no lightweight, and by the time I got to the 5th/6th one in my mind, I could hear it screaming for mercy....

nevermind, you were counting yourself as well. I'm dumb.

annoying having to babysit their poor pathing. Would rather make myself a God and summon 2 dremora and go solo, but a great plan though for those who don't like climbing mountains and crossing rivers.

mjoll doesnt like me ever since i vouched for the thieves guild

mjoll doesnt like me ever since i vouched for the thieves guild and i killed my dog...his name was barbas and i took a axe to his head

dam double post..i hate touch screen typing

"Lizzie Borden took an axe...."

even if you vouch for thhe guild you can still talk to her again and get her quest for grimsever. just not right away. it takes a few days.

Two dead thralls with summoning staves and a summoner follower= 7 people counting yourself. Add dogs, temporary followers and horses if you like.