Following on from my previous question, I've managed to narrow down the main possibilities for the steward for each Homestead.

Heljarchen Hall - Adventure Base (Armoury, Enchanting Tower, Trophy Room): Calder, Jordis the Swordmaiden, Erik the Slayer or Benor.

Winstad Manor - Palace of Knowledge and Sorcery (Library, Alchemy Tower, Greenhouse): Marcurio, Illia*, Aranea Ienith*, Onmund.

Lakeview Manor (most important) - Family Home (Store Room, Bedrooms, Kitchen): Illia*, Aranea Ienith*, Uthgerd the Unbroken, Faendal, Lydia.

(* - Appears as an option for more than one house)

Now, as I said - the latter of the three is the most important, as it has the largest number of theoretical factors involved. For starters, I'm a male wood elf with strict morals, who is also likely to end up joining the Imperials. So it would have to be a person that suits being a steward for my character. My wife is going to be Brelyna Maryon, so they'd have to be a character that would theoretically get along with her. The two children would be Sofie and Blaise - so it would have to be a character who would get along with them, etc, etc.

Obviously, it has to be the best choice - as the choice is pretty much final (well, if you've made a lot of progress since adding them that is, and you don't want to lose all your progress) - and the only way to get a new steward is to kill the old one, which given my personal character perimeters isn't going to happen.

So... who should I pick for each one?

Personally, I don't like 'tying down' anyone adventurous as a steward - I know Erik the Slayer never actually leaves Rorikstead without you, but while he's there I can imagine that he's off chasing down Forsworn and the like. Illia, on the other hand, needs a better home than where she hangs out otherwise, and I like having a mage as well as a fighter (housecarl) on the property. Winstad's housecarl is a pretty competent mage as well as a decent fighter, so I'd put Illia at Lakeview. I also like the idea of her teaching my kids a few defensive/healing spells, so that works for the family home, too. (I like Uthgerd, but I don't know if I could trust her with my children, she would be a good choice for Heljarchen, though, IMO, but you've not listed her as an option so fair enough!)

I've never bought Hjerim, so I've never 'met' Calder, but I think generally speaking a housecarl (other than the one for that actual Hold) is a good choice, provided you don't mind leaving Hjerim/Proudspire vacant so either he or Jordis would be a decent choice for Heljarchen, IMO. Benor would also be good, he's loyal and can hold his own in a fight, and he's from Morthal so I reckon he's used to the cold, so he'd be good in either Heljarchen or Winstad.

I like Marcurio a lot, but apparently most of the mercs are potentially quite buggy as stewards, so I would avoid him. I don't really have much experience with Onmund or Aranea Ienith (she's the lady at the Shrine of Azura, right?) but I think either of them seems like a good choice, I'd probably go with Aranea from an RP perspective, as Onmund should really be at the College, whereas Aranea could reasonably be supposed to have fulfilled her duties at the Shrine and be happy to work for Azura's Champion.

I like the sound of Illia - however, the idea of her teaching spells to the children is pretty irrelevant. I mean, they're the adopted children of Brelyna Maryon! XD

I could send Illia to Winstad, but I do think that Aranea is better suited to such a place.

And of course, there are the other options for Lakeview, such as Faendal and Lydia... although, I feel that the latter is more overtly Stormcloak, and may not "get along with me" from a RP perspective after I join the Imperials, and Faendal... I mean - he could teach my children Archery, and he was the first follower I had, so I trust him greatly, but... I mean, he was involved in a love triangle before, so considering that I'd be leaving him with my wife... who married me, a Wood Elf... the same as he is... perhaps that's not the best of ideas. XD

This is pretty much exactly why I usually use Illia as a steward at my homestead (I only ever have 1 per character). I also tend to prefer NPCs who do not wear armor as stewards, as I envision that role as more domestic and less "military." Thus mages, who can fight effectively without armor, are high on my list. Aranea would fit the bill, too, but I don't think she can be made a steward, can she? She's not on the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Personal_Steward, at any rate. Also note that your housecarl and steward will not change their armor (or at least, not permanently), although they will use any new weapons you provide them with. Unfortunately, Marcurio, as a hireling, is bugged. This bug can affect Erik, as well.

I don't know if I'd trust Uthgerd around kids, either, as she's already killed one young man because of her...overenthusiastic fighting style!

Anyway, I'd go with Illia at the family home, Onmund at Windstad (maybe he's finished his theoretical studies at the College and you're providing him with a place to experiment in exchange for his work?), and Benor or Uthgerd at Heljarchen. Another good choice for a "fightin' style" steward at Heljarchen would be Golldir, if you do his http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Ancestral_Worship. He also has the advantage of being from that area.

Heh, fair point! I bet Brelyna would love a fellow mage to practice with/on, though? Assuming she's being a homebody rather than coming adventuring with you.

As for Faendal, I've still never quite gotten over the realisation that

I think you're right... she doesn't seem to be on the list. Oh well... I guess that narrows things down a little bit, then. XD

Fair... but at the same time, despite my misgivings about him... and any possibilities that his presence may present some kind of stumbling block for mine and Brelyna's marriage... he's still a fellow Wood Elf, and there is that sense of mutual respect - on top of him being my first follower. Eh, I'll see. I'll probably visit the potential followers and take them to the homestead in question, just to get an idea of how well they suit the place, and whether I actually like them enough and such forth. XD

I guess there's also the fact that Camilla would be nearby, so it's not like he'd be separated from her (I assume she doesn't come to visit, or anything, but it's easy enough to RP that sort of thing when you're not actually home!) I'd probably trust him well enough, and Brelyna for sure. I still like the idea of giving Illia a home, though. *soft*