Skyrim:Rebuilding the Blades

Quick Walkthrough
#Locate and bring three suitable followers to Delphine.
#Induct these followers into the Blades.
#Ask Esbern about dragon lairs to start the repeatable quest Dragon Hunting.

Detailed Walkthrough
Help Wanted
thumb|right|Delphine inducting Skyrim:Lydia|Lydia into the Blades
After completing Alduin's Wall, you may notice that the Blades' mission of ridding Skyrim of dragons may be rather daunting for just two people. Ask Delphine about her apparent staffing shortage and she will reply, ''"The Thalmor hunted us down, remember? It wasn't exactly great for recruitment. But we have a headquarters of a sort now. We'll rebuild the Blades. Someday." As you are the Dragonborn, and the Blades are sworn to protect you, you might be inclined to help Delphine find new recruits. When you offer, she will say, "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."

Recruiting
To recruit a follower into the Blades, simply bring your new recruit to Delphine in Sky Haven Temple for introductions. Since being a Blade is binding, Delphine will ask you for confirmation: "Are you sure? I'll need to ask them to take an oath to leave their old life behind and stay here from now on." Confirm your selection and Delphine will agree. She will then give the oath to your first recruit:


Happy Hunting
You can bring two more recruits to Delphine for the oath taking. After the third, she will say "That's enough recruits for now. Ask Esbern about the dragon lairs he's been studying. We'll have the recruits do some hunting with you."'' Speak to Esbern to complete the quest and begin the Dragon Hunting repeatable quest.

Notes
You can still ask recruited Blades to follow you, but they will be situated at Sky Haven Temple rather than their place of usual residence.
If you induct your spouse into the Blades, then you can still move your spouse to a house you own. If you choose to live at your spouse's home, you will be directed to Sky Haven Temple.
All permanent followers are eligible to join the Blades except Serana and those from the Dark Brotherhood.
When a new recruit joins the Blades, they automatically leave your service, so a new follower can be recruited. Bugs affecting your ability to obtain new followers may be solved in this manner, though only three followers may be recruited. 
Hirelings that join the Blades can be hired for free after they move to the temple.
If one of the new recruits dies for whatever reason, they cannot be replaced by inducting another follower. It is therefore best to choose essential characters.
If the optional quest Paarthurnax has started, you can still recruit followers for Delphine. When it comes time to talk to Esbern however, he will not finish this quest or start the Dragon Hunting quest until Paarthurnax is slain.
Blades armor is heavy armor, so recruits who do not favor that skill will be at a disadvantage. Similarly, Skyrim's Blades only have one-handed swords, so followers unskilled in One-handed may be at a disadvantage. Both of these however do not apply for essential characters.
If playing without the Unofficial Skyrim Patch, followers who are skilled with this equipment are: Cosnach, Kharjo, Uthgerd the Unbroken,  Golldir, Vorstag, Athis, Ria, Torvar, Borgakh the Steel Heart, Ogol, and Celann.
If using the Unofficial Skyrim Patch 2.0.9. or higher, followers who are skilled with this equipment are: Erik the Slayer, Kharjo, Adelaisa Vendicci, Golldir, Ria, Torvar, Borgakh the Steel Heart, Ghorbash the Iron Hand, and Celann.

Bugs
 
Due to this bug, it appears that dragon priest masks are also lost. This renders the quest in Bromjunaar Sanctuary impossible to complete.
 
 
 
 

Quest Stages