Skyrim Guilds and Factions
Every major guild and faction in Skyrim – the Companions, College of Winterhold, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, the Civil War sides and more – with where to join.
Skyrim's guilds and factions each have their own long questline – often as big as a small game. You can join all the guilds on one character, but the Civil War and the Dawnguard add-on make you pick a side.
Every major faction
The major guilds
5 factionsThe Companions
Guild · Warriors for hire · Jorrvaskr in Whiterun · speak to the Harbinger, Kodlak Whitemane · a dark secret awaits
College of Winterhold
Guild · The mages' guild of Skyrim · Winterhold · pass the entry test from Faralda at the bridge · led by Arch-Mage Savos Aren
Thieves Guild
Guild · Thieves and fences · the Ragged Flagon under Riften · Brynjolf approaches you in Riften's market · led by Mercer Frey
Read our guide →Dark Brotherhood
Guild · A secret guild of assassins · Sanctuary near Falkreath · start with the quest Innocence Lost in Windhelm · led by Astrid
Bards College
Guild · Music and lore · Solitude · Viarmo asks you to recover King Olaf's Verse from Dead Men's Respite
The Civil War
2 factionsImperial Legion
Civil War side · Keeps Skyrim in the Empire · Castle Dour in Solitude · led by General Tullius
Stormcloaks
Civil War side · Fights for Skyrim's independence · Palace of the Kings in Windhelm · led by Ulfric Stormcloak
Main story and Dawnguard
4 factionsThe Greybeards
Main story · Masters of the Voice · High Hrothgar on the Throat of the World · teach you to use your Shouts
The Blades
Main story · Ancient dragonslayers · Sky Haven Temple · Delphine and Esbern join you during the main quest
Dawnguard
Dawnguard DLC · Vampire hunters · Fort Dawnguard near Riften · led by Isran · Dawnguard add-on
Volkihar Clan
Dawnguard DLC · An ancient vampire clan · Castle Volkihar · led by Lord Harkon · join them instead of the Dawnguard
Section images: official Skyrim trailers (Bethesda Softworks / YouTube).
Good to know
Join them allYou can complete every guild on one character – only the Civil War and Dawnguard sides make you choose.
Guild leaderFinishing a guild's questline usually makes you its leader, with a unique reward.
Pick a Civil War sideLegion or Stormcloaks – the questline changes who rules Skyrim's holds.
Dark Brotherhood choiceYou can also destroy the Brotherhood instead of joining it.
Our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim articles on this
-
How to Get the Wabbajack in Skyrim: The Mind of Madness Walkthrough14 Oct -
How to Get Mehrunes' Razor in Skyrim: Pieces of the Past Walkthrough30 Oct
-
How to Get the Ebony Blade in Skyrim: The Whispering Door Walkthrough3 Oct
-
Where to Find Chillrend in Skyrim: Riftweald Manor Route, With or Without the Thieves Guild31 Oct
Sources
Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.