In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim the player is guided early on into Whiterun through the events of the main quest. As such, the very first faction they're most likely to get acquainted with would be the Companions, who reside in the old remnants of Ysgramor's boat, Jorrvaskr. A guild based on warrior spirit and fighting, it's one of the more generic paths for players to choose.
Although the Companions are the most well-known thanks to their central location in Whiterun, many of their smaller details and secrets tend to go unnoticed or even unappreciated by fans. Even after hundreds of hours into Skyrim, it's possible to find something new about this band of brave warriors.
10 They Have A Separate Bounty System
Bounties are a pretty self-explanatory thing in Skyrim. Committing theft or murder in a specific hold will always send the hold guards running after the player. Once caught, they'll be asked to pay their bounty in the name of the local Jarl. However, things are a bit different when it comes to Jorrvaskr.
Although the faction's territory is in Whiterun, they have a very separate system. The Companions won't hunt down the player for a bounty they have in Whiterun's hold, and will instead go by their own bounty system which takes into account what the player does inside Jorrvaskr.
9 It's Possible To See Them Fight Other Creatures
Random encounters contribute a great deal of fun to any playthrough because players will never quite know what they can expect to find in the wilds. When first entering Whiterun, they'll most likely see the Companions taking on a giant and have the choice to help them fight it.
However, it's also possible to catch members of the Companions in other places all around Skyrim, fighting Sabre Cats or even wolves. These encounters are a bit rarer, but they still give the faction a spark of realism and agency.
8 As Followers, They're Very Encouraging
If a member of the Companions is taken as a follower, there's one area in which they have a very different kind of behavior to more typical followers, like mercenaries. During brawls in particular, if the Dragonborn challenges someone to a fistfight, most followers will just stand there with their weapon drawn.
However, the Companions are unique in this regard. They'll stand on the edge of the fight and even shout encouragement to the Dragonborn during the bout. This is just another way in which the characters in this faction feel so much more alive than many other NPCs and their repetitive actions.
7 Farkas And Vilkas Are Both Named "Wolf"
Farkas and Vilkas are quite the iconic pair when it comes to the Companions. They're brothers and although they resemble one another in appearance, they have nothing in common when it comes to their personalities and even their wits. In fact, they come across as complete opposites.
However, there's one thing that does actually tie them together: their names. Both Farkas and Vilkas are actually named "wolf" in two different languages. Farkas' name is actually Hungarian for "wolf," while Vilkas' name is Lithuanian for "wolf," which fits the deeper plotline for the Companions.
6 Despite Romance Being Discouraged, It Happens
Romance is a big question mark when it comes to the Companions. Generally speaking, members of the guild are discouraged from getting involved in a romantic manner with one another. However, it's still possible for the Dragonborn to marry pretty much any of the main members of the guild.
Not to mention that when eavesdropping on some of the members, the Dragonborn can overhear something about Skjor and Aela the Huntress spending a lot of time hunting together. It could be possible that the two of them are romantically involved, especially given how hard Aela takes his death.
5 Although Nordic In Roots, Anyone Is Tolerated
The Companions have their roots in Ysgramor, one of the heroes in Sovngarde, who's considered the root of all humans. More specifically, he was involved with the creation of the Nordic language, which makes him a hero in the eyes of those who are natives to the province of Skyrim.
Although Nords are known to be quite prejudiced towards other races, that doesn't show in the Companions, who are very open-minded. In fact, they even have a Dunmer among their ranks, and no matter what race the Dragonborn is, they'll always be welcomed with arms wide open.
4 They Don't Mind A Fight
Jorrvaskr is a pretty unique place, a first home for many players who arrive in Whiterun searching for work and a place to belong. The first time they enter the home of the Companions, they'll witness a gruesome brawl between two of the members, which is actually quite a typical sight.
In fact, picking a fight in Jorrvaskr is quite safe. It's sort of a common activity around there, which means punching any of the members in the face will simply initiate a brawl until the Dragonborn sheathes their weapon or lowers their fists.
3 Farkas Is Actually Insanely Charismatic
As soon as the new member of the Companions is welcomed, it's pretty evident that Farkas is sort of the local punching bag for many. He doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he means well and has more passion and kindness than his more intelligent brother, Vilkas.
That being said, some players have discovered that Farkas actually has level 100 in Speech, making him the spitting image of charisma itself. Perhaps Farkas is simply playing dumb in order to appear more endearing to those around him?
2 There's An Old Zelda Reference
Game developers and writers are always taking inspiration from their favorite games, movies, or other forms of entertainment — and naturally, Skyrim isn't any different in that regard. During one of the questlines, Farkas actually utters a voiceline which might sound incredibly familiar for some: "It's a secret to everyone."
A variation of it, "it's a secret to everybody," is a famous line seen in one of the older games of the famous The Legend of Zelda franchise. It's a cool little tip of the hat to one of the games that no doubt served as a basis for all things fantasy RPG.
1 The Wuuthrad Fragments Are On A Wall Display
One of the main motivations to complete the Companions questline is obviously the Wuuthrad, a unique axe which does extra damage against any elven enemies. To complete this axe, the player needs to collect all of its shards, and eventually use it to open Ysgramor's Tomb. After that, it can be kept normally as a weapon.
The cool part is, while the shard quest is active, the pieces of the Wuuthrad are displayed in the Companions' headquarters in Jorrvaskr, on the wall. It's a shame the axe itself can't be placed there after everything is said and done.