At least seventy years since the mysterious druid tried to trick a lich and failed, then. And long past the point of resurrection by means besides the archhealer. Which is a pity, she would have liked to give Clarabella some time to actually be alive with her sapience.

“Three hundred and sixty four.” Head tilt. This probably isn't relevant to her investigations, but she’s now curious. “A special event? Of what kind?”

"You Know, A Party! Eriape would Spend all her High Level Spells to Scry an Inn with Good Musicians and we would Sing Along! And there would be a Prize Draw! And then we would Sing the Anniversary Song! And all the Wizards would Use their Spells to Make a Better Party!"

"I... see. And. You all had fun?" That is better than the alternative but also much more bizarre. An undead badger party, headed by their wretched lich overlord that Awakened them to immediately shackle them in the horrors of undeath.

"Yes! It was the High Point of the Lair Calendar, other than Eriape's Ascension Day- For that All the Badgers put on a Play- and Armasse, when we have Feats of Badger Strength!"

"Feats of. Badger strength," repeats Voshrelka, still bemused.

"Yes! Long Jumping! and Speed Burrowing! And Crossbow! I am the Best at Crossbow!"

"Congratulations on your skill." This conversation is surreal and Voshrelka thinks she would like it to cease now. She's having feelings and she doesn't like it. "You mentioned a Badger Island?"

"Yes! Eriape Arranged an Idyll for Badgers! She found this Large Forested Island with Only these Peaceful Flightless Birds living there, and Imported Badgers! There are No Predators there except for the Badger! That's where her Supply of Badgers used to Come From!"

That would absolutely cause ecological collapse and very many of those flightless birds dying horribly. Why. Why would you do that. What about everyone else that lived on that island. Instead of picking a fight, the druid sighs. Not worth fussing over, especially since it sounds like this happened a century ago, but: sigh.

"Did she change recently, or is 'used to' in reference to how she has been captured?"

"In the Last Few Years, she has a New Secret Badger Arrangement! I cannot Tell you Of it, as it is a Secret!"

"Ah. Of course." Why stop with just one ecological disaster, when you could have many, some of which are secret for arbitrary lich reasons. Eugh. Not her forest, not her goblins. She has enough to do as is, and the lich is now handled. "Do you recall where you were Awakened? Was it in this lair, or somewhere else?"

"It was Here! What about You? You were Born I think! A Mortal!"

"I was born, yes, though I don't have any memory of the experience. Were you Awakened in the - space of green plants in here?" Because it implies good things about the Awakening, if so. The druid version of the spell requires a connection with nature to work, after all.

"Yes! On that Stone Altar in Front! Those Plants are all the Herbs needed to Awaken! I hear that Druid Spells are Strange! Lots of Natural Ingredients"

"Yes. When spellcrafting requires materials, we try to aim for things that are renewable, instead of something finite, like diamonds or spellsilver." One of the many ways druids are the best.

"Gosh! you are A Druid? Have you Ever awakened Anyone?"

"I am, yes. And - no, I haven't." It's fifth circle, for one, but also more relevantly: "It's a large responsibility, like parenthood. If I were inclined to parent I'd aim for making another elf. For the lifespan."

Unspoken: she is not so inclined.

"I have a Very Long Lifespan! Do you need an Animal Companion? I am a Very Good Lieutenant and I could get a Splendid Reference!"

... That's surprisingly sweet. Not that she'd want a reanimated animal as her companion, but. It's very sweet of Clarabella to offer.

"I've no doubt you would be a fantastic animal companion," says Voshrelka, uncharacteristically gently. "But I - had one. Long ago. He died." To save her life, she doesn't add, because that only matters to her, now. "It felt... crass, to replace him. So, I haven't."

"I am Sorry for your Loss! If you Tell me His Name, I can Say Hi to Him in Heaven after you Kill Me!"

"Lenthos. He was a raven." She doesn't dispute that she's probably going to kill Clarabella. Judging by how much this Awakening seems based on druidic foundations, her soul is probably perfectly whole. Clarabella won't realize the pain she's in until it stops. Resurrection is untenable, for one so long dead. So: the best way to end her pain is to send her to her afterlife, and. From this conversation Voshrelka thinks she knows who will win the case in that Judgement.

It will be a nice place to go.

She leans her head against Voshrelka in sympathy for a moment.

"How did you come to Participate in this Invasion if I may Ask?"

"I was a wizard's plus one for a noble party. I didn't expect it to be for this purpose, but I've no complaints." Voshrelka: still very impressed that Lisandro figured out it'd be a lich lair raid! Quality wizarding, right there.

"Interesting! What do we Do Now? Do you want me to Show you the Lair? I imagine your Wizard Boyfriend will want Eriape's Spellbook, and it is in a Secret Place!"

She would not describe her relationship with the wizard that way, but whatever.

"Is that the sort of Secret Place you're willing to share?" wonders Voshrelka, archly. She expects not, but it's worth asking.