How about companions can be a clan role that upgrades a certain number of units to a specific tier so that the player doesn't have to?
Their could be a clan role for companions like 'unit commander' or 'master trainer' with a dialogue that sets up an order of 50 Imperial legionaries and 50 Imperial crossbowman so every time a unit can be upgraded the companion would automate the upgrades until the order is filled. Their could be messages after every upgrade telling the player what has upgraded and a tone and a message when the order is completed. The companions gets paid for this and they get experience for this clan role every time they perform this task.
Their could be a clan role for companions like 'unit commander' or 'master trainer' with a dialogue that sets up an order of 50 Imperial legionaries and 50 Imperial crossbowman so every time a unit can be upgraded the companion would automate the upgrades until the order is filled. Their could be messages after every upgrade telling the player what has upgraded and a tone and a message when the order is completed. The companions gets paid for this and they get experience for this clan role every time they perform this task.