Skyrim Joinable Factions
Looking for a guide to every joinable faction in Skyrim? These guilds, armies, and other prominent organizations offer unique benefits, incredible followers, and training opportunities to enhance your journey through Skyrim and beyond. But with so many joinable factions to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to focus your time and effort.
The assortments of Skyrim joinable factions are like a treasure trove; each with their own unique storylines and perks that differentiate them from the rest. Some may be difficult to access, but worry not, as we have a guide on how to join each of these Skyrim joinable factions. Complex, diverse stories play out around these factions, each with their own unique challenges, resulting in different perks that players can enjoy if they join them in Skyrim. Here are all the joinable factions in Skyrim and their unique benefits.
The Bards' College
The Bards’ College was founded centuries ago by the Skyrim hero, Talos. While the song school espouses many worthwhile and noble aims, sadly, its meme-worthy inclusion in Skyrim itself falls a little flat. Its perks and quests don’t quite match up with the College of Winterhold or the Thieves’ Guild, making it hard to recommend joining. Here are the details on how to join the Bards’ College in Skyrim.
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Its primary benefit – the Speech tree – is rather disappointing. You’d think a bard would have some sort of charm or silver tongue to play with, but instead, this path of progression merely offers more gold for haggling, and discounts when selling to vendors. Not exactly a status symbol.
To join the Bards’ College, you’ll need to find the location of King Olaf’s verse, and take it to Headmaster Viigar. Then, you’ll need to attend the Burning of King Olaf festival event before you’re officially accepted into the College of Musical Theory. Ideally, you’d be able to create a world-renowned bard personality and showcase the fruits of your voice – but you can’t – so it’s hardly the best joinable faction in Skyrim. While it does unlock a repertoire of new songs for your bard, you’ll have to forgo your progression in the College of Winterhold to achieve it.
The Blades
The Blades are a little disappointing, perhaps if you’ve played Oblivion prior to making the leap to Skyrim, they might seem like a familiar group, but they’re shrouded in mystery. You’ll undoubtedly encounter Delphine and, eventually, Esbern, while venturing through the Skyrim main quest, but will they be an ally or enemy? Well, you’ll need to join the Blades to find out. Here’s how to join the Blades in Skyrim.
If you think the motives of the Thalmor are sinister, then you’ll quickly realize that the motive of the Blades is less about justice and more about protecting a big secret. The Blades’ questline (in which you’ll discover who Talos really was) is shrouded in mystery and ambiguity. While you’re told to go to Paarthurnax for help, it’s clear that you’ll kill him. Even if you support the cause of the Imperials, killing a respected elder dragon will likely raise more questions than it answers… so, it’s not a path we can encourage.
To join the Blades, you’ll need to complete the main questline through Season Unending and then go ahead and kill Paarthunax. Delphine’s self-righteous attitude and insistence on killing Paarthunax is off-putting, and she also comes with a hint of suspiciousness attached, too. As if she’s hiding a secret or two, which she is. You’ll hear a lot of chatter in inns around the map too, suggesting that people question her motives. Some allege she has daedric origins, while others comment on how suspicious it is to be traveling with an elderly elf. Delphine may be bisexual, but it’s unclear if that’s her secret – either way, being a rather disappointing NPC in more ways than one (her perks are not great), she makes the Blades less desirable.
Unlike the other factions which have radiant quests, completing missions for the Companions will eventually lead to a concrete conclusion. You’ll learn why the Companions can turn themselves into werewolves instead of outright finishing with a radiant quest.
