I'm playing the Dawnguard DLC now and I've gotten the Ultimate Followers Overhaul and Deadly Dragons Mod. I have 2 followers currently. They are Serana and Faendal.
Now I've equipped Faendal with a giant club (found in one of the giant camps). The player cannot pick the club but if you target your companion to pick it up, he does that with success and that's what I've done with Faendal.
The club deals 111 (or so) damage and I really don't want to lose it. Is there any way that I could respawn Faendal with items if he dies?