skyrim companions quest stages: Guide to setstage & IDs

For the Companions faction, several sub-quests and rank tests are controlled by these stages. For example, the Ring of Blood sequence and private tasks for Vilkas or Farkas rely on stage triggers to open new dialogue and unlock companion perks.

How to Check a Companion Quest Stage (Step-by-step)

On PC, the console is your friend. If you prefer not to use console commands, the steps still help you understand the flow and identify where things broke.

Using the Console

• Open the console with the tilde key (~).
• Type help <quest name> 4 to find the quest ID; for example, help Companions 4 or help Jorrvaskr 4.
• Use player.sqs <QuestID> to list objectives and stages. This shows the current state of each sub-stage.
• Use getstage <QuestID> to get the active stage number.

Example: to check the main Companions quest, you might find a quest ID like 0001BDB8. Running player.sqs 0001BDB8 will list each objective and whether it is completed.

Common Companion Questlines and Where Stages Often Break

The Companions faction at Jorrvaskr has multiple questlines and rank tests. Here are a few common lines and typical stage traps:

• Proving Honor and Join the Companions – Missing initial dialogue can prevent you from joining; make sure you have visited Jorrvaskr and completed the introduction objectives.
• Ring of Blood – A radiant event with stages related to combat loops. If combat fails or you leave the area, the stage may not update.
• Inner Circle tasks (Aela, Vilkas, Farkas) – These can be dependent on both quest stages and script flags, especially if the character becomes a werewolf or if you have completed other faction tasks.

LSI terms like Aela the Huntress, Vilkas, and Farkas are often mentioned by players because companion-specific scripts can become unsynced, leaving followers stuck in an old dialogue branch or failing to join a test.

Troubleshooting Broken Companion Quests: Console Commands & Examples

If a companion quest is stuck, the standard approach is to diagnose, then carefully apply fixes. Always save before attempting console edits.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

• Confirm the follower is properly referenced: use the console to click the NPC target and note their RefID.
• Check the quest ID and run player.sqs <QuestID> to see progress.
• Try to re-trigger normal progression: speak to the quest giver, visit Jorrvaskr, or return to the dungeon before editing stages.

Using setstage Safely

The command setstage <QuestID> <StageNumber> forces the game to the chosen stage. Example:

• setstage 0001BDB8 30 — moves the Companions main quest to stage 30 if that is the next logical checkpoint.

Use this to progress past an unresponsive stage, but be mindful: skipping stages can leave side flags unset. When in doubt, move to the next logical stage number and then run player.sqs again to confirm effects.

Example Fix: Restoring A Companion (Lydia) After a Stuck Quest

Imagine Lydia won’t follow you or her dialogue about joining the Companions never appears. Here is a practical example:

1. Save the game.
2. Open console and click Lydia to get her RefID; note it down.
3. Find the Companion quest ID with help Companions 4 or look it up in online resources.
4. Run player.sqs <QuestID> and getstage <QuestID> to see what is missing.
5. If the stage is behind, use setstage <QuestID> <ExpectedStage> to move forward. For example, if you need to trigger a join flag, moving to stage 20 or 30 often helps.
6. If Lydia is flagged as ‘dead’ or disabled, try prid <RefID> then resurrect or moveto player to bring her back.

Tip: after using resurrect, resurrected NPCs may lose inventory or certain script flags. Use resetai and enable if necessary, and follow up with the quest stage fix to restore companion rank and dialogue.

Managing Companion Rank, Werewolf Changes, and Perks

Companion rank affects what tasks and dialogue are available. Some stages unlock perks or rank promotions when set correctly. If you became a werewolf during the Companions questline, certain quests require you to reconcile that status to advance.

• Companion rank: Use related quest stages to ensure promotions fire correctly.
• Werewolf side effects: If Aela or others are affected, ensure the appropriate quest scripts updated your status.
• Perks and training: Some perks are only unlocked after completing inner-circle tests which are stage-dependent.

Tip: Keep a quest log note of which companions require which tests. For example, Vilkas and Farkas often alternate as combat trainers and have their own private stages for personal quests.

Best Practices and Safety Tips

• Always save before using console commands. Use multiple saves (quick and manual).
• When using setstage, try to move only to the next logical stage rather than skipping to the end.
• Document RefIDs, QuestIDs, and the commands you run so you can undo steps if needed.
• Search community resources for specific Companion quest IDs and stage lists rather than guessing numbers.
• If you play on console, use in-game methods: leave area and return, complete related radiant quests, or load an earlier save instead of risky workarounds you can’t perform.

FAQ

Q1: What is the easiest way to find a Companion quest ID?

A1: On PC, open the console and type help Companion 4 or similar keywords like “Companions” or “Jorrvaskr”. The list will show the quest name and ID. For followers such as Lydia, community wikis also list common quest IDs.

Q2: Can I fix Aela the Huntress or other companions without the console?

A2: Yes, non-PC players should try reload older saves, reloading the area, completing other related quests, or re-triggering dialogues by revisiting Jorrvaskr. Many stage issues resolve when NPCs are allowed to complete their scripts normally.

Q3: Will using setstage break other quests or achievements?

A3: It can. Using setstage may skip script calls that set hidden flags or item rewards. Achievements on PC are generally unaffected, but you risk inconsistent quest states. Always save before using console commands and consider manual progression first.

Q4: How do Companion ranks get affected by quest stages?

A4: Companion rank increases at specific stages. After finishing certain inner-circle tasks or proving yourself in combat trials, the quest stage triggers the rank increase and unlocks new dialogue and perks. If stages fail to update, ranks won’t progress.

Q5: Are there common quest stage numbers I should know for the Companions?

A5: While exact numbers vary by quest ID, common checkpoints are often in tens (10, 20, 30, etc.). Community guides list stage breakdowns for major Companion quests. Use player.sqs and getstage to confirm which specific stage is relevant to your situation.

Conclusion

Understanding skyrim companions quest stages arms you with the knowledge to diagnose stuck Companion questlines, restore followers like Lydia or Aela the Huntress, and safely use console commands like setstage when necessary. Start by checking quest IDs and current stages with player.sqs and getstage, attempt natural progression first, and apply cautious console fixes when needed. With patience and a few safe saves, most companion issues can be resolved and your adventures at Jorrvaskr can continue smoothly.

Now that you know how quest stages operate, try the step-by-step checks, document the IDs you find, and keep a recovery save. Your follower will thank you—especially if that follower is Lydia, Aela, Vilkas, or Farkas.