You can have any NPC as your favorite follower using console.
Not finding any good description yet, allow me to add one - actually its very simple:

Note:
- this works for any NPC that enters conversation with you!
--> Using it with Sylgia long term and its working flawless.
--> Also tested with a random hunter (e.g. "placeatme 73FBE") and it works perfect.
- Does not work with NPC's that never open conversation dialogues (e.g."placeatme 45802")

You can do anything you can do with any other follower, including managing their inventory!

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Making NPC a follower:
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1) open console (^-key)
2) click target NPC with mouse (Note the NPC-ID highlighted!)
3) type "addfac 5C84D 1"
... if you want to marry too, use "addfac 19809 1" in addition - Sideeffects might occure though.
(Note: I married Sylgia before making her follower, thus marriage via console is not tested)
4) type "Setrelationshiprank <npc-id> 4"<br>5) type "Player.sertrelationshiprank <npc-id> 4"<br><br>... now the npc can already be recruited, though the behavior might not be ideal for adventuring.<br>You may turn your favorite NPC into a born adventurer though:<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>NPC behavior: NIGHTBLADE (thief/caster)<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>- setclass 1317c (Nightblade)<br>- addspell 7d98f (firebolt, one handed)<br>- addspell 40000 (icebolt, one handed)<br>- addspell 7231c (healing, one handed)<br>- setav magicka 35 (more NPC casts too much, less hardly ever)<br>- setlevel <your-level> (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav health 5xlevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav stamina 5xLevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav onehanded 60<br>- setav lightarmor 100 (don't want them to die too easy)<br>- setav sneaking 100 (don't want them seen unless you are)<br>- setav lockpicking 50<br>- setav destruction 100 (no worries, the spells given are weak enough)<br>- setav restoration 80<br>- setav agression 1<br>- setav confidence 3<br><br>The character will sneak when you do and only attack when you are, or if hit.<br>You can equip them with items in the game on your own. I'd recommend one-handed weapon and light armor.<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>NPC behavior: WARRIOR<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>- setclass 13176 (Warrior)<br>- setav magicka 0 (not a spellcaster)<br>- setlevel <your-level> (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav health 10xlevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav stamina 5xLevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav onehanded 80<br>- setav twohanded 80<br>- setav marksman 50<br>- setav lightarmor 60<br>- setav heavyarmor 100 (don't want them to die easy)<br>- setav block 100 (don't want them to die easy)<br>- setav agression 3<br>- setav confidence 4<br><br>No doubt you want to equip the NPC with the best armor and weapons you have, but this can be done in game without any further console commands.<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>NPC behavior: MAGE<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>- setclass 1317a (Mage)<br>- addspell 2dd29 (lightning bolt)<br>- addspell 12fd0 (Firebolt)<br>- addspell 10f7ec (Ice Spear)<br>- addspell b62ee (Healing)<br>- addspell 4deea (Fear)<br>- setlevel <your-level> (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav health 5xlevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav magicka 10xlevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav stamina 5xLevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav onehanded 60<br>- setav sneaking 80 (not to have them start all the fights on their own)<br>- setav destruction 100 (no worries, the spells given are weak enough)<br>- setav restoration 80<br>- setav agression 1<br>- setav confidence 2<br><br>In case they are overdressed (e.g. armor) you can use "showinventory" on them and then do a "removeitem <itemid> 1" for anything you don't want them to wear. Afterwards you can equip them normaly in game, also with standard clothing.<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>NPC behavior: Ranger<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>- setclass 13181 (Ranger)<br>- setav magicka 0 (not a spellcaster)<br>- setlevel <your-level> (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav health 5xlevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav stamina 10xLevel&gt; (make them similar strength to yourself not to unbalance the game)<br>- setav marksman 80 <br>- setav onehanded 60<br>- setav lightarmor 100 (don't want them to die too easy)<br>- setav sneaking 80<br>- setav agression 1<br>- setav confidence 2<br><br>No doubt you want to equip the NPC with the best bows and best light armor you have, but this can be done in game without any further console commands.<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>Last minute findings:<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>there's been requests to rename characters. This is possible only in a very limited way, as only predefined messages work. (Also it does not work for all NPc. May be an issue with quest NPC)<br>If you want to try, these choices are known to me:<br>"SetActorFullName 4C72A" --&gt; the Slayer<br>"SetActorFullName 52B5D" --&gt; Stolen<br>"SetActorFullName 4AFD4" --&gt; Disaffected<br>"SetActorFullName 4F82A" --&gt; Jarl<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>Final Notes:<br>-----------------------------------------------------<br>It always worked perfectly fine for me as described above. I could imagine that in rare situations (special NPCs chosen) the AI might not update proper; if you ever encounter such a case, please let me know. Usually opening console, targeting NPC and typing "disable" followed by "enable" should fix such problems though.<br><br>As a final advice though, I'd recommend not to choose essential characters, as scripted quests events might potentially mess them up. In general though, anyone you can kill should be a viable choice, at least once their quests are done.<br><br>Have fun!<br><br></your-level></itemid></your-level></your-level></your-level></npc-id></npc-id>