[X] Try to negotiate a lower price in exchange for other benefits. Offer all of the following incentives to each sellsword company, with the understanding that each offer is meant to further reduce the cost of their services.
-[X] We will provide Masterwork quality Fabricated arms and armor to all of their forces, as well as setting aside the services of a dozen of our Mage-Smiths to provide minor enchantments to their equipment. All at cost, of course.
--[X] We can also give actual discounts should either company decide to further reduce their fee.
-[X] In addition to free health care in the form of magical and Alchemical healing to treat normal injuries, disease, and afflictions, we will perform a Raise Dead (a 90 IM service), Reincarnation (a 56 IM service), Resurrection (a 182 IM service), or True Resurrection (a 306 IM service) upon any of their fallen forces, should their remains be brought to us in time, provided they supply the necessary material components. We will also provide free Regeneration (a 182 IM service) spells to those who are injured gravely enough to lose a limb or organ.
-[X] Show both men the Advanced Plant-Imbued Gigantean Manta Rays who accompanied us to Vialisk and explain their nature. Should they provide us with suitable corpses or the necessary reagents, we can craft for them powerful aquatic servitors at cost, though we will not make sentient beings bound to serve them.
-[X] Sorcerer's Deep is part of a large growing realm in the Plane of Balance. Better yet, it's an island city located in the middle of a profitable trade route between two continental land masses, one we outright control except for Deep One interference. Although we are unlikely to retain the services of either full company for longer than needed to combat the Deep One threat, we would be able to provide much longer term contracts for smaller numbers years into the future if they are willing to be slightly more generous with their terms in the present.
-[X] Sorcerer's Deep also has a growing aquatic district which could easily accommodate a large influx of residents, should either company like to consider establishing a permanent presence in the Imperium, perhaps either as residences, training facilities, or even an office from which to hire their services to others in the future, such as guards for ocean going trading ships or explorers. This would be a land grant, one whose size is related to the discount each company offers for its services. We will also handle the construction necessary to make the new properties livable and productive, based on their specifications.
-[X] Should either company decide to base themselves in the Imperium on a long term basis, for the next decade we will provide them with free Gate-based travel back and forth between the Imperium and the Plane of Water (a 306 IM service), provided they are able to schedule the transit two weeks prior to the departure date.
-[X] Finally, for a flat 20% reduction in their final fee, we are willing to employ them for a guaranteed six month contract, paying half of their total fee for that time up front and the remaining half upon completion of their service.
[X] Hire both
-[X] Serega's Shields (6,000 Heavy Turtle Cavalry strong on the charge, but also capable in a melee; Cost 150,000 IM/Month)
-[X] Lightning Chasers (3,000 Eel-Bonded Spear Skirmishers/Dart Casters; Cost 90,000 IM/Month)
--[X] Total Monthly Cost Before Discount: 240,000 IM
-[X] Speak with the Half-Dragon Sorcerer after Relath tells you whatever he was able to discover about her
