Factions ( Skyrim ) Factions are organizations of people with a common goal in Skyrim . The Dragonborn can join several of these factions . Upon joining , specific tasks , known as quests , can be administered by a higher - up or leading official of the faction . Each faction has a specific that remains static for the entire storyline , with the exceptions of the Dark Brotherhood and the Blades . Each faction has a clear leader , such as Arch - Mage Savos Aren for the College of Winterhold , Delphine as the Grandmaster of the Blades , and Paarthurnax as the leader of the Greybeards . Comparisons with other games . was the last title to employ the conventional four factions , which were called " Guilds . " These factions included the Thieves Guild , the Mages Guild , the Fighters Guild , and the Dark Brotherhood . While " Skyrim " kept the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood , the Fighters Guild and Mages Guild were exchanged for other similar organizations . Due to the Mages Guild splitting into the Synod and the College of Whispers , the guild could not logically appear in titles set after the Great War . Thus , the College of Winterhold , making its debut in , appeared as a joinable faction . The Companions is substituted for the Fighters Guild , canon ically aligning with Ysgramor and Atmoran lore prevalent long before " Skyrim " < nowiki > ' s < / nowiki > inception . The vampire clans from and were omitted as well , with a newer adaption surfacing in " Skyrim " < nowiki > ' s < / nowiki > first plug - in , . Unlike in " Oblivion " , where each faction had a clear hierarchy of ranks that the Hero could rise through by successfully completing missions , most factions in " Skyrim " make no such distinctions . For example , the only rank attainable in the College of Winterhold , aside from being a basic student , is that of Arch - Mage . The Stormcloaks and the Imperial legion , however , do employ specific ranks . All of these factions can give you a place to stay , like the other games , more or less , and perks to upgrade . Perks of joining factions . Most factions grant a special uniform or a set of armor when joined . These items are usually competitive with the types of items found early in the game , and can be worn optionally either to reap the bonuses of the items or for role - playing aesthetic . Unique benefits , such as becoming a werewolf , can only be achieved by joining the right faction . Most factions provide amenities to the Dragonborn , such as sleeping quarters , containers that never reset for safe item storage , and free access to crafting stations such as Arcane Enchanters and forge s . The Thieves Guild in particular is significant in that it gives the Dragonborn access to fences who will buy stolen goods . Once a member reaches a certain point in the faction ' s quest line , they can freely take any items from the guild hall . Certain guild - mates cannot be unlocked as followers or potential spouses unless a given faction is joined . For example , the College of Winterhold has three possible followers and two possible spouses . J ' zargo , Onmund , and Brelyna Maryon are all potential college followers , with only Onmund and Brelyna Maryon being eligible for marriage . The Thieves Guild is one of the factions without any members eligible for marriage or as followers . The Dark Brotherhood has followers , but no marriage candidates . The Stormcloaks , Imperial Legion , Blades , Greybeards , and the Bards College also do not have marriage candidates or possible followers . Because guild members can come and go at any hour of the day , joining a faction is wise for vampires , since there will be an abundance of sleeping guild - mates that can be accessed without breaking and entering , trespassing , or sneaking . Expulsion and availability . Factions possess some integral rules . Members cannot steal from , murder , or attack other members of the guild without risking expulsion , arrest , or the faction ' s members becoming relentlessly hostile toward the Dragonborn . Some will desist if the bounty is cleared . While most factions can be joined at any time throughout the main storyline , some factions can only be joined for a limited amount of time or are entirely unavailable upon joining another faction . In the former example , the Forsworn can be temporarily aligned with while fleeing Cidhna Mine , similar to the Hero of Kvatch joining the Mythic Dawn to temporarily advance the questline . In the latter example , the Civil War has two clear sides : the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks . At a certain point within the Civil War questline , one side must be selected to the exclusion of the others ; if the Stormcloaks are joined , you can join the Imperial Legion if you give them the Jagged Crown . On the other hand , if you join the ' s vampire hunters or the Volkihar Clan , you cannot switch to the other .