Just wondering everyone: If my follower dies in combat, are they dead forever? Do they get replaced if you are their Thane? Do they come back after a while, what has happened to all of you in the past?

They can be "unconcious" a number of times but eventually they die.

First off, welcome to the forums! have a http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg

Almost all followers i have encountered do not die in combat unless you yourself kill them, they just fall to one knee.

I've heard this, but I don't think it's true. I was playing last night and Aela fell to her knees on a flame trap. I stood and watched her for about 15 minutes getting incinerated as she stood up and staggered down over & over, yet she never died. She eventually crawled her way to freedom,

they lose agrro when they are near death, they can die if you are not there to tank when they fall

Thank you for this, what do you call it, Fishy Stick? I am guessing then, my followers are not immune to my Fire Storm or Blizzard or Lightning Storm? What if I gave them 100% resistance in this field of magic? would they not see me as hostile if I "accidentally" hit them with my spell?