One of the first factions you’re likely to join in Skyrim would be the Companions. A guild dedicated on the surface for warriors, it quickly becomes evident they hold a bit of a secret among them as the Dragonborn becomes a close member of the Circle. In fact, each member of the Circle is a werewolf and wants to get rid of their curse.
While the Companions aren’t the strongest or even the most remarkable faction in Skyrim, given that they’re based in Whiterun and are easily accessible early on, they’ve become a bit of a meme among fans of the game. Although tragedy hits them twice with the death of two members, there’s still a lot to laugh about when it comes to the members of the Companions and their attitude towards the Dragonborn.
10 No Thanks To You, Dragonborn
The first time you’re likely to run into the Companions is on your way to Whiterun to inform the Jarl about a dragon threatening Riverwood. Near Pelagius Farm, Aela and a few other members of the Companions will be fighting a giant. If you participate and help them, Aela will express gratitude. If not, however, a different reply will follow.
Aela will sometimes chase after you for quite some time just to tell you how useless you were in that fight against a giant. You may have not even noticed the group fighting, and she’ll simply emerge out of nowhere to surprise you. No need to be so snappy, Aela!
9 Peer Pressure
A major flaw in the Companions questline is how the Dragonborn is practically forced to take the gift of Hircine in order to proceed in the story. It’s a bit unrealistic and unfair towards them, especially since chances are they haven’t even been a part of the Companions for a very long time.
Still, if you want to finish the entire questline, you need to curse yourself just like every other member of the Circle. Call it peer pressure or a poor game design choice, it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth regardless of how you see it.
8 The Brave Companions
The Companions are well-known all around Skyrim for their skills in battle and bravery. They’re protectors and saviors of those who can’t do so for themselves, which is why only the best of the best can aspire to become something among this group of fighters. Moreover, these are the people who carry on Ysgramor’s tradition, which is a real honor.
And yet, the Companions are quite pathetic. When entering Ysgramor’s famous tomb, only Aela is able to go until the end with you. Both Farkas and Vilkas chicken out of the whole process, either due to vengeance clouding their judgment or spiders being too scary.
7 Farkas And Spiders
Farkas is an interesting addition to the Companions. During the faction’s main quest it’s quickly revealed that he has a fear of spiders following the very first mission where he joins the Dragonborn on a dungeon quest. Ever since then, he hasn’t quite been the same.
It’s both funny and ridiculous that he’s so afraid of spiders. He’s one of the strongest warriors in Skyrim, and yet a spider he could easily defeat has him shivering in his boots. If only he knew all the things the Dragonborn has to go through all the time, with Draugr and dragon priests and Falmer lurking in the shadows.
6 Farkas And Spiders, Round 2
If the previous meme didn’t convince you of how ridiculous Farkas’ fear of spiders is, just consider what he actually is: a werewolf. He gains incredible strength the moment he transforms into a huge beast and is able to wipe an entire group of Silver Hands in a blink of an eye.
And yet one frostbite spider will have him cowering in fear. It’s as if he forgets that he’s the one with a massive greatsword that can slice through a hairy eight-legged critter in matter of seconds. Well, to each their own fears.
5 Fetch The Mead!
Guards in Skyrim can be real jerks. It’s their job to keep the people safe and happy, but they talk a lot of smack considering they’re supposed to keep the peace in a city. They might insinuate you’re a baby who just lost their sweet roll, but the worst insult has to be the comment they make when joining the Companions.
Guards might ask whether or not as the new member of the Companions your task is to just fetch the mead. They might even do this if you’re the Harbinger, which just goes to show the world around you in Skyrim doesn’t always respect you as much as it should.
4 Incorrect Quotes
Farkas is sort of the butt of all jokes in the Companions, and for a decent reason. He’s more laid back than his brother Vilkas and comes across as a bit simple-minded at times. However, he has a heart of gold and he shows his emotions with ease, making him relatable and approachable.
Fans have imagined possible scenarios he would get tangled with, and these ones above sound completely plausible for the silliest member of the Companions. Especially the part where he doesn’t know who Hircine is.
3 Skjor The Forgotten
Let’s talk about Skjor, because he’s someone who’s a central part of the faction but quickly gets forgotten after he just dies at the hand of the Silver Hands. After Aela and the Dragonborn find his body, he’s just completely forgotten and never spoken of ever again, which seems like the ultimate insult.
Isn’t it strange how Kodlak gets all the good treatment for his death but Skjor, who fought aggressively against the Silver Hand, just gets forgotten? Poor Skjor, and poor Aela, who initially loved him the most.
2 When You Use Magic Against Vilkas During The Test
Before you can hope to join the Companions, you need to go through a bit of a test with Vilkas in the courtyard of Jorrvaskr. However, not all styles of combat are welcome among the Companions. Magic in particular is guaranteed to get on the nerves of Vilkas who will quickly tell you to stop.
Only swords and bows and arrows will do in this fight. Anything else, and he’ll promptly remind the Dragonborn that “we don’t do that here.”
1 The Dragonborn, Who?
If the Companions happens to be the last guild you choose to join, you’ll still have to face Vilkas’ judgmental attitude when first entering. It doesn’t matter if you lead every single other guild in Skyrim and have saved the entire continent from Alduin’s return and destruction. He’ll still doubt you.
It’s just another show of how oblivious some of the NPCs in Skyrim are in response to the Dragonborn. When will the day of respect and acknowledgment come for the Dragonborn? Perhaps never.
NEXT: 5 Skyrim Mods That Are Absolutely Hilarious (& 5 That Are Just Awesome)
