So, Hearthfire will apparently let you turn any follower into your steward to maintain your estate whilst you go gallivanting off to murder, loot, and annoy.
So, who will your steward be? Who can you trust to look after and guard not only your holdings, but your family (remember, you can adopt pets and children)? After all, a mercenary only in it for the pay might rob you blind and leave, or worse, use your estate as a base for a group of brigands!
Faendal of Riverwood is definitely out. In one playthrough he kept sneaking in when I wasn't home to make advances at my wife. I moved us all around skyrim, and he kept chasing her, so I was eventually forced to push him off the tall cliff in markarth. He ought not have trifled with the bride of the Listener. But still, this shows him to not only be untrustworthy, but undependable. His mind will be on that poor woman he stalks, not on the condition of your home.
Your colleagues at the mages guild are similarly undependable. They have their own research to see to, and could never devote the attention you would want from your steward, and that's if they don't burn the place down in the first place.
Now, if you are the Listener, an initiate might make a good choice, as they would be entirely devoted, and entirely capable of defending your home from invaders. But I would personally prefer a steward I can converse with as a friend, not one who reveres me as a religious leader.
For my money, I think my steward will be Illia or Adelaisa Vendicci
So, who will your steward be? Who can you trust to look after and guard not only your holdings, but your family (remember, you can adopt pets and children)? After all, a mercenary only in it for the pay might rob you blind and leave, or worse, use your estate as a base for a group of brigands!
Faendal of Riverwood is definitely out. In one playthrough he kept sneaking in when I wasn't home to make advances at my wife. I moved us all around skyrim, and he kept chasing her, so I was eventually forced to push him off the tall cliff in markarth. He ought not have trifled with the bride of the Listener. But still, this shows him to not only be untrustworthy, but undependable. His mind will be on that poor woman he stalks, not on the condition of your home.
Your colleagues at the mages guild are similarly undependable. They have their own research to see to, and could never devote the attention you would want from your steward, and that's if they don't burn the place down in the first place.
Now, if you are the Listener, an initiate might make a good choice, as they would be entirely devoted, and entirely capable of defending your home from invaders. But I would personally prefer a steward I can converse with as a friend, not one who reveres me as a religious leader.
For my money, I think my steward will be Illia or Adelaisa Vendicci
