TL;DR
- Ember requires ‘Tower Full of Trouble’ quest near Gonfalon Bay’s northeast bridge
- Isobel needs ‘Tournament of the Heart’ quest at Castle Navire west of Gonfalon Bay
- Each companion offers unique combat abilities and personality traits
- Companion quests take 30-60 minutes with specific navigation requirements
- Only one companion can be active simultaneously, requiring strategic selection
The High Isle expansion introduces two distinctive companions for adventurers to recruit within the Breton territories. These AI-controlled partners provide significant combat assistance and immersive interaction throughout your journey across the Systres Archipelago.
Elder Scrolls Online’s Mediterranean-inspired High Isle region offers expansive exploration opportunities with its aquatic landscapes and diverse locations. While traditional activities like Skyshard collection and quest completion remain central to the experience, the companion system transforms solo gameplay dynamics. Unlike previous expansions where players relied heavily on group coordination, these new allies enable independent progression through challenging content while maintaining engagement.
Companions debuted with Blackwood in 2021, evolving from Skyrim’s system with refined AI behaviors and reduced repetitive dialogue. Both Ember and Isobel feature unique combat specializations, personality traits, and voice-acted interactions that influence gameplay decisions. Understanding their distinct capabilities before committing to recruitment ensures optimal party composition alignment with your playstyle.
Begin your recruitment of Ember by navigating to Gonfalon Bay’s northeastern sector. Locate the central river crossing bridge and traverse it completely to encounter Ladlow Merchant positioned on the opposite bank. Initiating conversation with this NPC activates the ‘Tower Full of Trouble’ questline, which serves as Ember’s introduction sequence.

The location of the quest to unlock Ember
Activate quest tracking through your journal interface and proceed through sequential objectives. You’ll encounter Ember at designated waypoints—a charismatic Khajiit character who reveals narrative details about Tor Draioch’s tragic events. Successfully completing her assistance mission typically requires 30-60 minutes depending on combat proficiency and navigation efficiency.
Pro Tip: Before initiating Ember’s quest, ensure your character meets level 45 requirements and possesses adequate healing capabilities for sustained engagements. Many players underestimate the defensive requirements for Tor Draioch’s encounters.
Ember specializes in magical DPS roles with elemental abilities that complement sorcerer and nightblade builds. Her witty commentary provides entertainment value during extended exploration sessions, though some players find her constant remarks distracting during stealth sequences.
After securing Ember’s companionship, return to Gonfalon Bay and journey westward. Cross the river bridge on the island’s western perimeter and continue progressing until encountering the distinctive brown wreckage markings visible on your map interface. Here you’ll discover Castle Navire Wayshrine, which requires activation for future fast travel convenience.

The location of the quest to unlock Isobel
Approach Lord Remard DeFulley stationed near the wayshrine to learn about Castle Navire’s internal conflicts. This dialogue initiates ‘Tournament of the Heart’—the primary quest chain for Isobel’s recruitment.
Following initial map markers leads directly to Isobel’s position outside Castle Navire’s entrance. She provides detailed context about the castle’s situation and immediately joins your party for the quest’s duration. Completion typically spans 30-60 minutes with combat-intensive sequences that benefit from tank-oriented builds.
Strategic Insight: Isobel excels in tank roles with damage mitigation abilities perfect for players utilizing dragonknight or warden classes. Her noble knight persona offers serious commentary suited for roleplaying enthusiasts, though her conservative approach may lack entertainment value for some preferences.
Common mistakes include attempting Isobel’s quest before reaching level 50 or without proper AoE capabilities for handling group encounters efficiently.
The companion system restricts players to one active ally simultaneously, necessitating careful consideration between Ember and Isobel. Each companion influences gameplay through distinct combat styles, dialogue preferences, and situational effectiveness.
Combat Role Analysis: Ember provides superior magical DPS with crowd control utilities, while Isobel offers exceptional survivability through defensive cooldowns and threat generation. Your primary character class and preferred content type should guide this decision—magicka-based builds typically benefit more from Ember’s capabilities.
Switching between companions requires visiting out-of-combat zones and accessing the companion menu interface. This flexibility allows experimentation with different synergies across various content types without permanent commitment penalties.
For comprehensive gameplay optimization, consult our Class Guide for detailed build recommendations that complement specific companion abilities.
Advanced Strategy: Veteran players often maintain both companions at maximum rapport levels, switching based on specific dungeon requirements or role needs. This approach maximizes utility across diverse gameplay scenarios while maintaining relationship progression with both characters.
Remember that companion effectiveness scales with your character level and gear quality. Regularly upgrading your equipment through our Weapons Unlock guide ensures optimal performance from your selected ally during endgame activities.
Action Checklist
- Travel to Gonfalon Bay and locate northeast bridge for Ember’s quest
- Complete ‘Tower Full of Trouble’ quest (30-60 minutes)
- Navigate to Castle Navire west of Gonfalon Bay
- Finish ‘Tournament of the Heart’ quest for Isobel
- Evaluate companion synergies with your build before final selection
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » ESO High Isle: How To Unlock Isobel And Ember Companions In Elder Scrolls Online Complete guide to unlocking Ember and Isobel companions in ESO High Isle with expert strategies
