I have come across many people who i can hire and become followers with me, my question is

Are all the followers just people who join you and fight along side you, or is there something more they can do.

There are archers, rogue's, thief's, warriors, mages and even a dog but besides being a person to help fight, do they posses any other benefits?

besides of course being able to carry a few more items for you, whats the point?

I've gone my whole game without a companion, and it was relatively easy, but do companions open different quests? or other events in the game, many questions about them, and to me, very few answers

many thanks

Rob

I have come across many people who I can hire to become my followers.

Are all the followers people who join you and fight along side you, or is there something more they can do?

There are archers, rogue's, thieves, warriors, mages and even a dog. But besides being a person to help fight, do they posses any other benefits?

Besides of course being able to carry a few more items for you, what is their purpose?

I've gone my whole game without a companion, and it was relatively easy. But do companions open different quests? Or other events in the game?