I just started playing and was wondering why other people in group battles have a companion and I don't? I never seem to have my first mate and I can't figure out why.
Another possibility is under "adjust advanced gameplay options" (the second controller icon in the options menu), Follower is set to "no one". I have mine set to Firstmate and Bonnie Anne (the Companion I use for my first mate) has always shown up unless she was defeated earlier.