Essential companions will tack on to the current count, I managed to get up to 5 followers with my Dunmer to head out to Morrowind, my bride to be, Brelyna Maryon, Barbas, Esbern, and Delphin, then there was the fact that he was an Illusion/Conjuration master so he was able to summon up to 2 creatures (Atronach, Thrall, or perhaps Conjure Dremora Lord), then Illusion to make them all go berserk, Animal Allegiance or anything of the sort to make enemies allies or certain dragon summon shouts, etc.