Add additional companions for "Companion" tab.

[Kirika-]

The 1.0 version of the game did have a companion you choose and would then follow your path (adventures).
You could choose this companion NPC from almost any Job (Gladiator, Lancer, Archer, Conjurer, and Thaumaturge) and either sex (some limitations) of the races.
That system was not carried over in its original form from 1.0 into ARR.
The Chocobo was the replacement, which was mainly done to eliminate one of the primary issues with 1.0 Path Companions, their limited functionality.
Your companion was only useful with the job you had chosen for them, as in Lancer/Archer/Thaumaturge = DPS only, Gladiator = Tank only, Conjurer = Healer only....
A fully ranked up Chocobo is all three.

That said, it was kinda fun with the different personalities and such.
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Path_Companions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpvHE6asMP0