Five Hundred Companions

Five Hundred Companions, often simply called the Five Hundred or Companions, were a group of Atmoran warriors led by the legendary Ysgramor in the late Merethic Era. The Five Hundred Companions were an army of fierce conquerers who played a vital role during events of the time period known as The Return. Their initial goal was to avenge the brothers and sisters who fell victims of elves during their raid known as Night of Tears.Songs of the Return However, after Saarthal was reclaimed, they would continue to press against the other peoples of the continent, attempting to conquer all of Mereth and much of Tamriel.Songs of the Return, Vol 7
==History==
===Merethic Era===
====Arrival to Tamriel====
During the Merethic Era, a group of Atmorans, led by Ysgramor, left their homeland called Atmora and sailed to Tamriel due to the presence of a civil war in Atmora. They sailed south and eventually landed at Hsaarik Head at the northern tip of Broken Cape. They moved inland and soon built the legendary city Saarthal.Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: SkyrimBefore the Ages of ManAhzidal's Descent They befriended the local Snow Elves and made peace and prosperity with them.
====Night of Tears====
Despite this coexistence, the Snow Elves launched a sudden assault upon Saarthal in which they sacked the city and killed everyone there,Night of Tears with the exception of Ysgramor and his two sons, Yngol and Ylgar, who survived and returned to Atmora. Different reports stated different theories as to why the Snow Elves broke the peace with the Atmorans. Some reports suggest that the initial attack on Saarthal was very focused, and did not appear to correlate to any locations that were established as points of defense or importance. Not only did the Snow Elves know the apparent layout of the city, but their assault appeared to be based on a specific directive and perhaps a singular goal.Imperial Report on Saarthal One theory was that the Snow Elves' motive was to exterminate all of the Atmorans in Skyrim, as the rate at which the Atmorans' population was growing was increasing. To the Snow Elves, this would be a potential threat to their existence in Skyrim. Another theory was that the Atmorans discovered a powerful artifacts deep below Saarthal, called the Eye of Magnus, and the Snow Elves coveted it for themselves, so they sacked Saarthal.
====Retreat to Atmora====
Ysgramor, Yngol, and Ylgar fled northward in the sole remaining ship they had.Songs of the Return, Vol 5 After they returned to Atmora, they told stories of Elven treachery and murders in Saarthal. Men and women of Atmora quickly assembled an army to avenge the fallen and claim Mereth for themselves. Ysgramor—inspired by his Elven enemies' affinity for knowledge—created an alphabet for written Atmoran speech, thus giving the Five Hundred the ability to document the best ways to kill Elves.The Onus of the Oghma
====The Return====
=====Day of Final Passage=====
On the Day of Final Passage the Five Hundred set sail for Mereth using longboats that had been made in the massive shipyards of Jylkurfyk.Songs of the Return, Vol 2 On the way there, a massive storm broke out, known as the Storm of Separation; its namesake comes from how Ylgar and his ship, the Darumzu, were knocked away from others and delayed. The storm also destroyed several vessels in the fleet; Yngol's ship, the Harakk, was among those sunk, thus making him and his crew the first of the dead.Yngol and the Sea-Ghosts
=====Reaching Skyrim anew=====
After regrouping at Hsaarik Head, the warriors sought to reclaim Saarthal and avenge those slain there. With the combined might of the Five Hundred Companions, Saarthal was retaken, sending the Snow Elf forces back toward their cities. Though some of the Companions did not survive, the Ysgramor's people retained the name "The Five Hundred Companions" in honor of their fallen Shield-Siblings.
=====Atmoran-Snow Elf War=====
After reclaiming Saarthal, the Five Hundred formed the Circle of Captains. Ysgramor commanded that the Snow Elves be conquered utterly, beginning a long period of the slaughter of Mer and heralding the grand expansion of Men on Tamriel. He ordered for each Captain to take their crew on a unique path, seeking their fates throughout Skyrim and the world. Now unbound from Atmora, many of the crews converted their ships to buildings or even burned them ceremoniously,Songs of the Return, Vol 49 claiming all of Tamriel to be their kingdom. The Five Hundred did not limit their attacks to Snow Elves, and they fought many of the peoples of Tamriel concurrently. Ysgramor himself warred against the giants and their leader, Sinmur the Terrible, until all—including the mighty Sinmur—were gone.Songs of the Return, Vol 27 Other groups left Skyrim, fighting with elves in the eastSongs of the Return, Vol 56 or with Argonians in Black Marsh.Songs of the Return, Vol 24
The exploits of all of these crews branch out from one another in their unified goal of conquest. The Chrion's crew went toward Red Mountain and engaged the Elves there, massacring them despite the populations there being passive. The Fallowfire went south and conquered The Rift from Snow Elves, reveling in the process until eventually creating Fallowstone Hall after losses. The Jorrvaskr founded Whiterun Hold, fighting against Snow Elves prior to the Hold but meeting little resistance when they founded Whiterun. The Kaal Kaaz were closely linked with Ysgramor's personal retinue, fighting against the Snow Elves at their side for a while, though their exact actions in Skyrim afterward are unknown.Songs of the Return, Vol 19 The Krilot Lok decided to remain on the sea, sailing to various places with coastal access; this included Black Marsh, Elsweyr, and even the continent of Yokuda. The crew of the Sadon Reyth are less documented than the other crews, though they did assist Ysgramor and the Kaal Kaaz in fighting the Snow Elves. The Ylgermet—led by Ysgramor himself—would battle various factions in Eastmarch, eventually building Windhelm on the backs of Snow Elf prisoners. Despite their diaspora, though, the various Companion groups swore to defend anyone of Atmoran ancestry if ever required, thus remaining a united front. Only a few distant Snow Elf bastions, such as the island of Solstheim, remained.Fall of the Snow Prince
=====The formation of Skyrim=====
The city of Windhelm was built near Yngol's burial mound, supposedly so that Ysgramor could look upon it and know that his family line, now in their new home, knew more peace than Atmora before it. Despite this belief, however, Ysgramor and The Companions continued his conquest of the Snow Elves, and so the expansion and slaughter by the Five Hundred only slowed with Ysgramor's own final breath. A huge, dark storm was said to have been seen all over Tamriel, leaving even the fiercest warriors grieving for their leader. Most of the Five Hundred at last ceased their conquest out of respect for Ysgramor, thus ending the period known as The Return.
The Return's end soon saw the remaining Five Hundred Companions lose their grip over Tamriel, with many becoming simple settlers and farmers of the land. Though only remnants of the once great army were present, the Atmorans had successfully created the province of Skyrim, founding the Ysgramor Dynasty with the completion of Windhelm.
===Second Era===
Members of the Fallowfire crew, in their exploits in The Rift, would engage the Snow Elves until their captain, Gurilda Sharktooth, was slain in battle. The first mate, Vikord One-Ear, decreed that his crew would cease their conquest and create a great hall, eventually building Fallowstone Hall. The group would evolve from their original Five Hundred roots, becoming known merely as "The Companions." By the time of the Three Banners War, the faction would be well-respected by the High King of western Skyrim, Jorunn the Skald-King, and assisted the Ebonheart Pact.The Events of "Beneath the Stone" in 
===Fourth Era===
The crew of Five Hundred Companions who were led by Jeek the River would settle around the Skyforge, largely retaining the spirit of the original Five Hundred. Jeek would be the first Captain to halt his conquest and instead seek out settlement, wanting to protect those in his company who were less skilled in battle. Thus, Jeek became the first Harbinger of this new iteration of The Companions.Great Harbingers The group would give on on its original name and became simply known as "The Companions," similarly to the Fallowfire crew.
By the Fourth Era, traditions and goals had changed over time; though the leader of The Companions was still named the "Harbinger," none had held the weight that Ysgramor had, and instead, the newer Harbingers served more as advisors than a hierarchal leader. Similarly, The Circle of Captains would evolve into The Circle, which served as the official leadership. Alongside being a Companion, some members had also embraced lycanthropy, bestowed upon them by Hircine; this would eventually include all members of The Circle.Dialogue with Kodlak Whitemane in The motives of the Companions were much different by the Fourth Era; the Companions had become more of a mercenary group who hunted beasts and criminals rather than Mer. Companion groups were no longer under the control of Captains, since sailing and settlement were no longer driving racial concerns. They have sworn off war and political conflict of all kinds since the time of Harbinger Mryfwiil the Withdrawn.Observations of the The Companions structure, goals, and operations in 
==Ranks==
Five Hundred Companions were a group who considered that every man should be able to make his own path without guidance of others. There were no rules that bound someone under rule of another. Companions were free to come and go as they wish. The only thing that bound him to his Shield-Brothers and Sisters was his honor. As a result, there were not so many ranks within the army.
===Harbinger===
The Harbinger was considered to be the main commander of the army. During the time of The Return, this role was taken by Ysgramor. Companions followed his commands and listened to his advice, though he did not command the army with an iron fist, and men followed him by their own free will.
The Harbingers's role shrank significantly after the assembly of the Circle of Captains. No other Harbingers were considered rulers among the Companions after the death of Ysgramor.
===Captain===
Captains were commanders of longboats and their crews. After the reclaiming of Saarthal and of Skyrim, and later the destruction of the Snow Elves, the Circle of Captains was assembled to decide what the Five Hundred should do next. It was decided that every crew and its captain should split up and forge their own path, with the Captains leading these bands. Like the Harbinger, a captain did not have an iron-fisted rule over their men and they followed the Captain freely.
As more and more Atmorans migrated from Atmora to Skyrim, Companions settled, and so sailing decreased in importance; longboats were no longer needed. Thus, the rank of Captain was depreciated and eventually disregarded. However, the rank of Harbinger and the tradition of the Circle remained.
===Shield-Brothers and Sisters===
Shield-Brothers and Sisters weren't a rank in the Five Hundred Companions, though they are part of the structure and are a common phrase to add to one's name even in the Fourth Era. In general, Shield-Siblings watch one another's back in battle and should not hesitate to fight for each other. Many Companions were and still are Shield-Siblings of one another, though this is not exclusive to the faction; this phrase is still commonly used among Nords as a sign of trust among warriors.
===Huntmaster===
Similar to the quartermaster and blacksmith, the huntmaster was a revered hunter who would lead younger Shield-Brothers on game hunts to hone their skills. The official title and role, however, disappeared by the end of the Second Era.
==Notable members==
;Leaders
*Gurilda Sharktooth, Captain of the Fallowfire. Founder of The Rift, where she would eventually die in battle.
*Jeek of the River, childhood friend of Ysgramor. He was Captain of the Jorrvaskr and founder of both Whiterun the city and Whiterun Hold.Songs of the Return, Vol 7 He was also the first Companion to cease conquest.
*Rhorlak, Captain of the Chrion.
*Ylgar, younger son of Ysgramor and Captain of the Darumzu. He remained beside his father during the conquest of Mereth.
*Yngol, older son of Ysgramor and Captain of the Harakk. He died during the Storm of Seperation before making it back to Tamriel.
*Ysgramor, Harbinger of the Five Hundred and Captain of the Ylgermet. Founder of Windhelm and Eastmarch.
*Unknown Captain of the Kaal Kaaz, who joined with the Sadon Reyth and the Ylgermet to fight Ysgramor's final battle. Despite this, they were among the first to learn of Ysgramor's death.
*Unknown Captain of the Krilot Lok, who continued to sail around Tamriel and beyond, including to Yokuda.
*Unnamed Captain of the Sadon Reyth, who joined alongside Ysgramor and the captain of the Kaal Kaaz to fight in their final battle together.
;Crew of the Darumzu
*Adrimk, previous war-teacher of Froa and Grosta as well as the mentor of other members of the crew.
*Far-Sighted Uche, a student of Adrimk during The Return.
*Froa, Shield-Sister of Grosta who together "spoke as one."
*Grosta, Shield-Sister of Froa whom both "spoke as one."
*Hermeskr, who was another unproven student of Adrimk during The Return. He was later known as "He Who Threw His Shield."
*Merkyllian Ramth, another unproven student of Adrimk.
*Ramth the Greater, another unproven student of Adrimk.
*Urlach, another unproven student of Adrimk. He was later named "He Who Breathed Fire."
;Crew of the Fallowfire
*Bergitte the Toothless, who died defending Gurilda in The Rift and was laid to rest with the captain.
*Kajord Eagle-Eye, who also died in battle in The Rift and was buried with Gurilda.
*Vikord One-Ear, first mate of the Fallowfire and later promoted to Captain after Gurilda's death.
;Crew of the Jorrvaskr
*Brunl, a sworn sword of Jeek who was later named "He Who Fought with his Off-Hand."
*Jonder the Tiny, the first to set eyes on the Skyforge.
*Kluwe, also known as "Loate" whenever he hid his face.
*Manwe, a carpenter who, together with Menro, created the Jorrvaskr in Atmora and later converted the ship's timbers into a mead hall.
*Meksim the Walker, another sworn sword of Jeek.
*Menro, carpenter alongside Menro. He created the ship Jorrvaskr and later the hall of the same name.
*Terr, the twin and Shield-Brother of Tysnal. He was supposedly notable for his girth, which no one dared speak of to his face.
*Tysnal, Shield-Brother of his twin, Terr. He was later known as "He Who Was Twice-Named."
*Vust the Smiler, another sworn sword of Jeek.
;Crew of the Kaal Kaaz
*Asgeir, who served as a messenger of Ysgramor's death to the dispersed Companion crews.
;Crew of the Krilot Lok
*Breff the Elder, skilled Shield-Brother of Roeth and the husband of Greyf.
*Britte, the Shield-Sister of Greyf and the wife of Roeth.
*Greyf, the Shield-Sister of Britte and the wife of Breff the Elder.
*Roeth, renowned Shield-Brother of Breff the Elder and the husband of Britte. He fell in battle in Black Marsh.
;Other Members
*Ahzidal, an enchanter who left Saarthal just before the Night of Tears. After swearing vengeance for the sacking, he rejoined back up with the Five Hundred during The Return.
*Bron Darkhammer, who later served as guardian of Sinmur's burial place."Unearthed" in Sinmur, Giant of Legend
*Hakra, who was slain in battle against Sinmur.
*Grunilda Stormcrag, the progenitor of Clan Stormcrag, who after defeating the Snow Elves claimed the northern slopes of the Icewind Peaks.Stormcrag Crypt description in 
*Jalarma Fireheart, who also guarded Sinmur's tomb.
*Valdur, who was also slain by Sinmur.
*Crew of the Sadon Reyth, who joined the crew of the Kaal Kaaz and the Ylgermet for Ysgramor's final battle before breaking away.
==Trivia==
*The names of the Five Hundred Companions are still recited every Thirteenth of Sun's Dawn at the Feast of the Dead in Windhelm.
==Appearances==
* 
*
==Sources==
*Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Skyrim
*Songs of the Return, Vol 2
*Songs of the Return, Vol 5
*Songs of the Return, Vol 7
*Songs of the Return, Vol 19
*Songs of the Return, Vol 24
*Songs of the Return, Vol 27
*Songs of the Return, Vol 49
*Songs of the Return, Vol 56
*Night of Tears
*Stormcrag Crypt
*Yngol and the Sea-Ghosts
==References==
fr:Les 500 Compagnons
nl:Vijfhonderd Gezellen
it:Cinquecento Compagni
ru:Пять сотен Соратников
de:Fünfhundert Gefährten
pl:Pięćsetka Towarzyszy
es:Quinientos Compañeros
Category:Culture of Skyrim
Category:Lore: Factions
Category:The Five Hundred Companions