Rebuilding the Blades

"If you find anyone you think would make a good recruit, I can certainly take a look at them. Remember, though, being a Blade is a lifelong commitment. Their loyalty has to be with us once they're in."

―Delphine^[src]

Rebuilding the Blades is a quest available in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This will not appear by this name in the journal. Instead, there will be a miscellaneous quest to "Bring a follower to Delphine." Delphine has requested the Dragonborn to bring her three followers who will then take an oath and be inducted into the Blades.

ObjectivesEdit

1. Bring a follower to Delphine (three times)
2. Ask Esbern about dragon lairs

WalkthroughEdit

The Dragonborn needs to speak to a follower and ask if they wish to become a Blade. Followers who can be asked to join the Blades are listed in the table below.

Once a follower becomes a Blade, they will move to Sky Haven Temple and are no longer found at their original location when dismissed. Once three followers become Blades, the "Dragon Hunting" quest becomes available which involves slaying a dragon at a random dragon lair with the new recruits. Should a recruit die, they cannot be replaced by inducting another follower.

HousecarlsEdit

College of WinterholdEdit

The CompanionsEdit

DawnguardEdit

MercenariesEdit

Quest reward followersEdit

These followers typically have a quest attached to them and it must be completed in order to gain them as a follower.

Miscellaneous followersEdit

These followers have no specific quest attached to them. Gaining them as a follower may sometimes be a trivial affair, such as brawling against them and winning the match.

JournalEdit

TriviaEdit

• Cicero, Serana and Dark Brotherhood initiates are the only followers that cannot become Blades.
• It is possible to begin this quest without killing Paarthurnax by talking to Delphine after the completion of "Alduin's Wall."
• Mercenaries can follow the Dragonborn for no charge if recruited into the faction.
• Recruits who die by any means cannot be replaced by inducting new members.
• Recruits who have a higher skill in Light Armor will be disadvantaged as they will always wear Blades Armor, which is heavy.

BugsEdit

• Armor given to Blades inductees prior to their induction may be removed from their inventory.
• Housecarls who are chosen to become Blades will say "I will be back at your house if you need me, Thane.", though they will return to Sky Haven Temple.
• Occasionally, Blades inductees will return to the place they where recruited despite Delphine having accepted them.
  • Loading a save game before recruiting the previous Blade follower, which is only possible if the inductee if not the first to be recruited, will fix the issue.
• Esbern not respond properly to the Dragonborn's attempts to interact and instead only say "Did you say something?"
• When recruiting Mjoll the Lioness, Aerin can still follow her around, keeping him at Sky Haven Temple for the rest of the game.
  • He will also follow Mjoll when sent by Esbern to slay a dragon.