From Fallen London Wiki (Staging)
"An Enforcer's Burly Assistant and a Campaigner's Feckless Supporters use the companion slot, which is usually empty for early game players. This can make these items significantly more useful." Not necessarily true. I started playing a few days ago. The Hallowmas event allowed me to rapidly gain companions with +7 to three of the main attributes, and +3 in the other, very early on in the game.