Factions and Guilds of Skyrim: A Guide to Joining and Rising Through the Ranks
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players have the opportunity to join several factions or guilds, each with its own unique questline, lore, and rewards. Joining these groups offers valuable gameplay benefits, including exclusive equipment, powerful allies, and deep narrative experiences. This guide will walk you through the key factions in Skyrim and how to join them, as well as the rewards for completing their questlines.
The Companions
The Companions are Skyrim’s equivalent of a warrior guild, based in the city of Whiterun at Jorrvaskr. This group of skilled fighters offers mercenary services to the people of Skyrim and has a rich history dating back to Ysgramor and the Five Hundred Companions who founded the guild.
How to Join the Companions
To join the Companions, simply visit Jorrvaskr in Whiterun and speak to Kodlak Whitemane or Vilkas. You’ll be asked to prove your combat skills in a sparring match, after which you’ll be initiated into the group.
Unique Quests and Rewards
- Quests: The Companions’ main questline focuses on the group’s secret identity as werewolves, and you’ll have the option to become a werewolf yourself.
- Rewards: By completing the Companions’ questline, you’ll gain access to the Wolf Armor set, become a werewolf, and unlock the ability to cure yourself of lycanthropy if you wish.
The Thieves Guild
The Thieves Guild, located in Riften, is a group of professional thieves operating in the shadows. The guild is struggling when you first encounter it, and it’s up to you to help restore it to its former glory by completing jobs and taking on more significant heists.
How to Join the Thieves Guild
To join the Thieves Guild, head to Riften’s marketplace and talk to Brynjolf. He’ll ask you to complete a small task involving stealing and planting an item on a merchant. Successfully completing this job will grant you entry to the guild.
Unique Quests and Rewards
- Quests: The Thieves Guild questline involves infiltrating wealthy homes, carrying out daring heists, and uncovering a conspiracy threatening the guild. You’ll also have access to smaller side-jobs that can help you rebuild the guild’s reputation.
- Rewards: As you progress through the questline, you’ll gain access to Nightingale Armor, a powerful set of gear for stealth-based characters, and eventually be named Guild Master of the Thieves Guild, giving you command over the entire organization.
The Dark Brotherhood
The Dark Brotherhood is an ancient order of assassins that operates across Tamriel. In Skyrim, the Brotherhood has fallen on hard times, but you can help rebuild the organization and carry out high-profile assassinations for the glory of Sithis.
How to Join the Dark Brotherhood
To join the Dark Brotherhood, you’ll first need to start the questline by speaking to a boy named Aventus Aretino in Windhelm, who is attempting to summon the Brotherhood to carry out a contract. After completing the quest “Innocence Lost,” you’ll be contacted by the Brotherhood and given the option to join.
Unique Quests and Rewards
- Quests: The Dark Brotherhood’s questline involves assassinations, stealth missions, and internal power struggles. You’ll face moral choices as you progress through the ranks of this shadowy organization.
- Rewards: Completing the Dark Brotherhood questline rewards you with the Shrouded Armor set, the Blade of Woe, and the ability to command your own group of assassins.
The College of Winterhold
The College of Winterhold is Skyrim’s guild for aspiring mages, located in the city of Winterhold. The College is the center of magical study in Skyrim and offers players the chance to improve their skills in Destruction, Restoration, Illusion, Conjuration, and Alteration magic.
How to Join the College of Winterhold
To join the College, travel to Winterhold and speak to Faralda, the gatekeeper of the College. She’ll ask you to cast a basic spell as a demonstration of your magical ability. After passing this test, you’ll be granted entry.
Unique Quests and Rewards
- Quests: The College’s questline involves investigating mysterious magical phenomena, uncovering lost artifacts, and battling ancient magical enemies. It’s a must-play for magic-focused characters.
- Rewards: Completing the questline will grant you the title of Arch-Mage, as well as access to the Arch-Mage’s quarters and exclusive spells and equipment.
The Bard’s College
The Bard’s College in Solitude offers a more passive, less combat-oriented experience in Skyrim. While the college doesn’t involve much combat, it offers several unique quests related to music, history, and lore, making it ideal for role-playing as a bard or scholar.
How to Join the Bard’s College
Visit the city of Solitude and speak to Viarmo, the head of the Bard’s College. He will ask you to retrieve a lost verse of the King Olaf saga. Upon completing this task, you’ll become a member of the college.
Unique Quests and Rewards
- Quests: The Bard’s College quests revolve around uncovering historical artifacts, learning about Skyrim’s ancient history, and preserving musical traditions.
- Rewards: Completing quests for the Bard’s College will improve your skills in speech and give you access to unique rewards like the Revealing Shout, which lets you uncover hidden objects.
Conclusion
Joining Skyrim’s factions and guilds offers deep narrative experiences, unique rewards, and the chance to define your character’s role in the world.
Whether you’re drawn to the honor-bound Companions, the stealthy Thieves Guild, the mysterious Dark Brotherhood, or the scholarly College of Winterhold, there’s a faction for every playstyle.
