So thralls will only use their default armor from the point they are raised. Does the same follow with weapons? If I want a thrall to be able to use a crossbow do I have to make sure the follower has a crossbow in their inventory before I kill and raise them?

Nearly there with this. Taking Golldir into Volunruud now, completed Alduin's Wall and conjuration is at 97 ...

Thanks. Another quick question - how did you get your follower to pick up the ceremonial axe? It's on the wall plaque and he's saying 'ok, got it' but he doesn't get it ...

Ah - you can knock it onto the floor with a projectile spell. Nearly there now ...

Luckily that's the order I did it in. Funny, I was going to ask earlier whether they needed to be blades before going to volunruud but thought it wouldn't matter. I do have a backup save from before the thrall gathering process but it would have been a pain to have to go back!

Would you need to get the ebony blade fully charged before giving it to your thrall? Also I notice you have archery perked and have a crossbow under equipment but in your video you never used it so I'm wondering at what times do you use your crossbow? mabey dragon fights? or mabey times when you wanna sit in the back and support your thralls & follower via ranged?

For that to work, do the thralls have to be friendly characters?