I was reading a GI review from Quakecon and it said

"Heading north again, I ran into another farm. This was a much bigger plot of land, with several gardens. In the middle of this farm a group of three humans were battling a massive giant. Rather than joining the fray, I decided to just sit back and watch. The battle raged back and forth, but eventually the humans prevailed. Afterwards I met Alea the huntress and her sidekicks Farkas and Ria. My first interaction with her was a statement about the battle – I could say "You don't look like you need any help," or "I tried to help." When I chose the flattering option, she thanked me and explained that her band was a part of the Shield-Brothers. I was then prompted to inquire about joining the group or wryly responding "Sounds like a waste of time." Alea told me that if I wanted to join the group I would have to ask the leader of the Companions."

It sounds like to me anyway that there maybe factions within factions because why would you need to ask the leader of The Companions (Fighters Guild) to join the "Shield Brothers"?

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/08/05/skyrim-hands-on-impressions.aspx

Yup, I read the same thing. Looks liek we'll have more choices when it comes to factions!

They sound more like a special division of that faction.

That was way over my head lol Ok I think it's time I brushed up on my Elder Scrolls Lore.

Great Eye!

I read that article previously, but didn't even notice this new joinable faction, THE SHIELD BROTHERS. Alea the huntress are encountered just outside of Whiterun by the German journalist.

There is a separate new joinable group in Riverwood, a group of warriors in the tavern that are looking for volunteers to join their clan.

This means 7 confirmed Joinable factions:

• Companions
  
• College of Winterhold
  
• Thieves Guild
  
• Dark Brotherhood
  
• Stormcloaks
  
• Riverwood Tavern Warrior Clan
  
• Shield-Brothers

(and most likely 8, since it doesn't make sense that you can join Stormcloaks without being able to join the Empire)

It doesn't make sense that you can't fight on opposing sides in a war?

No, I said it doesn't make sense for you to be able to join only the Stormcloaks, but not the Empire.

therefore, most likely it is at least 8 factions, not 7.

If we can join the Stormcloaks, it makes sense that we can also join the Empire faction.

Oh, I thought you meant at the same time.

That means about as Much as the Orum gang, Black water Bandits, and yellow team. why would they say join the shield brothers and then say ask the leader of the COMPANIONS, did it occer to anyone that the Companions might have different names.

A faction within a faction?

Factionception

It's a dream in a dream within a dream!

Maybe the Shield-Brothers and the Companions have a relationship similar to the Great Khans and the Legion.

Or perhaps the Companions are so powerful that they are a sort of authority in Whiterun.

My simple guess would be that there are a few smaller bands that you can be a part of in the Companions that will do mostly random mercenary quests of various types but may tie in to the overarching plotline.

damnit you beat me too it

I was thinking that they may work similar to what Dragon Age did with their Mage faction: fraternities. That is, sub groups all apart of one group, just differing 'ideals' so to speak. The Shield-Brothers may specialize in monster hunting for example, while the River Boys might specialize against bandit raid runs.

Would add a bit of variety and allow roleplay options.

Yes, that's the sort of thing I meant. Or alternatively different territorial duties.

I think it would be cool to get the chance to join rival factions, like blackwater and the fighters guild, neither truly being the "good" choice, and to engage in sabotage/extermination of the other faction

Wow thats a lot and there could be other factions we don't even know about yet like the return of Knights of the Thorn. Ore a dragon hunters clan

Interesting idea, and certainly, I'll take as many joinable factions as we can get, even mini-factions. And if this is the case, then it seems reasonable that there would be similar "mini-factions" allied to the College of Winterhold and the Thieves' Guild in Riften.

Sadly, in DA:O, you really weren't able to join any of the mage fraternities, but it did make for some interesting dialogue.

I was such a Libertarian.

A thing about the Companions is, we don't know their charter. They may not be as law abiding as the Fighters Guild. And even if they are, differing factions may allow for a change in policy, leading to different characters getting different quests depending on what Fraternity they join.

Radiant story at work.

Infactception?