[2020] How do pets/followers work?

Just found you from watching Rhykker's videos; not sure how I missed this game.

I noticed with the support packs you get a primordial turtle; what does it do?
I can't seem to find much on pets. I see in the AMA there is mention of non-combat companion pets; are all pets non-combat? are there followers? combat pets? some kind of companion animal that grows with you?