
Activate a Shrine for its blessing, but not a Standing Stone. Activate an object, such as a lever or a chair. You can also start commanding your follower quickly, even from some distance away, by pointing at them and holding the activate/use control. You will then be able to exchange items with them, or give a command, depending on their abilities. You can interact with permanent followers by talking with them (outside of combat). The slot can be opened again simply by completing the quest so that your temporary quest follower leaves your service. In these cases, potential permanent followers will state that you already have a follower and are unable to join you, as the quest follower is occupying the follower slot. There are, however a few exceptions: The followers in the Companions questline will automatically dismiss your current follower, and Serana will require you to dismiss them in order for her to join you on a quest (except for her first). Most quest followers will follow you along with your permanent follower.
Because many of these NPC followers are unkillable, and there is no limit to the number of temporary followers that you can have at one time, you can use them to fight difficult enemies in different questlines. If you avoid completing the quest, they may follow you around indefinitely. Some NPCs follow you temporarily for the duration of certain quests. At any time, you are able to have at most one permanent NPC follower and one creature follower. You can also find mercenaries for hire in some cities and recruit certain creatures.
Permanent followers usually become available after you complete certain quests. Followers can be sorted into those who follow you indefinitely (until they die or are dismissed), and those who follow you temporarily (for example,during certain quests). These followers will fight by your side, carry your equipment and perform other tasks you ask of them. Throughout the game there are many opportunities to become allies with various creatures and NPCs.