Set Bonus

The Elf's eyes focused on Myx. "The Archmage? Neran Fallack? You are standing in his sanctum. One of you is wearing his.. equipment. He was standing in your place just..." Her words trailed off. "How long has it been?"

The groups' eyes slid to each other. (Arch-mage ring any bells, Vi?) Lunara projected.

(Does not ring a bell.) Vi replied. Her telepathic response was necessary, as her mouth was still fastened shut. (History is not my strongest subject, however.)

(Her aura is... Think. Concentrate. Not out loud. Not... pristine.) Nell chimed in. She was still wrapping her head around telepathic speech, but did her best. (Focus. Still, it is much... lighter than I... Is it working? Would... expect from... a criminal.)

(She comes off as confused.) put in Myx. (She's sharp though. Pay attention.)

"Ladies, we're being rude." Tenna said aloud. She directed her eyes to their guest. "Apologies. We're still working things out but our best guess, is that you've been here..." she took a breath, "seven hundred yea--"

(Seven hundred and thirty two.) corrected Vi.

"Seven hundred and thirty-two years."  Tenna adjusted, fighting an eyeroll. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. So do we, if we're honest. First, my name is Tenna, a cleric of Monessa. Might I ask your name?"

"I..." The elf stalled. "Seven hundred... So long, yet sooner than... eternity." Her face clenched. "And he was right, curse him..." She trailed off before her attention snapped back to Tenna. "Eleeni. My name is Eleeni. No house."

"I greet you, Eleeni, and welcome you to the future." Tenna replied with a smile. "Now, if you don't mind, we have a few... well, a lot of questions."

Eleeni the elf took a breath. She unfolded herself and rose gracefully to her feet, her full form obvious for the first time. She was about Nell's height, though not as bulky. She was clearly powerful but her frame was more like Lunara's, lean and agile. Her skin was the golden color of a pale human who got just enough sun. Her blonde hair, now free of the stasis, tumbled in waves to just between her shoulder blades with her long pointed ears peaking through at the sides. She reached a finger out to push at one of the bars of her cage, "I appear to be at your disposal."

"Thank you." replied Tenna vocally. Then she switched to telepathy. (Take over, Lu. And be polite. Introduce yourself.)

Lunara suppressed a sigh. "All right. Eleeni. My name is Lunara. And first, we'd like to know how you came to be in this position."

"Quite practical." agreed the Elf. "I might be a criminal, correct? A danger to the world at large. And what crime would sentence me to... seven hundred years? But I chose this fate. Alternative suicide, I believe Fallack called it. He was opposed but not in a position to deny me."

(Get her to elaborate please.) projected Vi.

"Could you elaborate?" parroted Lunara.

Eleeni deflated a little. "I can. A long and unpleasant story for the full context. And I must admit, I am a criminal. And an exile, though those are not why I'm locked in here now." She sighed and turned to settle on the cell's cot. "Perhaps you might wish to get comfortable."

Lunara opened her mouth to protest but was telepathically cut off by Tenna.

(Let her tell her story.) the Cleric chided. (Be patient. She's not going anywhere.)

Lunara's eye twitched at the rebuke, but she lowered herself to one knee. "If you would. You're right. We won't leave you in there, but I'm... uncomfortable with letting you out until I know what we're dealing with."

"I can understand your caution." said Eleeni. "Are you a... law officer? Or perhaps a soldier? You seem disciplined."

(Sharp.) warned Myx.

(And probably a little anxious.) added Tenna. (She is grasping a little for any control over a difficult situation. Be polite!)

Lunara let out a breath, both irritated by and grateful for Tenna's advice. "A soldier, yes. I did appreciate the discipline of the army, but had a few bad experiences with the chain of command. Now, you were saying something about a long story?"

"Yes. Of course." agreed Eleeni. She gestured to her right ear. "I am an elf, if that wasn't obvious. Have you heard of Vel Modrek?"

(Yeah, he's a boogey-man that...) Myx began.

(Out loud!) countered Tenna (And introduce yourself!)

"Ahem, yeah. That's a scary story my mother used to tell me to get me to behave." said Myx. "Velmodrek will get you if you're not good and all that. Didn't work. I'm Myx, by the way." Telepathically, she shot back (Why!? What's your game?)

(No game.) replied Tenna. (We should treat her like a person. She's not our enemy yet, if ever. Even prisoners of war get basic human decency.)

(Think. She is correct. Telepathy is hard.) added Nell.

(Agreed.) Lunara's mental tone had a grumble to it. (Keep us honest, Ten.) Aloud, she said "I've heard the name too. Old legend."

"Hm, yes. Good that he is not forgotten." said Eleeni. "He is also an elf. Or was. A necromancer who left the Elven lands to terrorize the world at large. Vel is elven for a hereditary title, similar to lord or perhaps duke, and mordrek is a gruesome word for death. His plot to take over the Elven kingdoms was thwarted. His crimes were enough to warrant a rare sentence of execution. He escaped, however and turned his attention to other lands. There was much discussion amongst my people of what to do about him. The consensus was to shore up our borders to prepare for his return. Which is where I arrive in our tale. I was a mid-ranking soldier in our standing army and found this unacceptable."

"Noble." said Nell. "Depending, I suppose, on your motivations." She glanced at Tenna briefly. "I am Nell. Paladin. No patron. Merely a warrior for the people."

"A wise observation, Nell." replied Eleen with a nod. "Indeed, Modrek needed to be stopped before he leveled other kingdoms, but I was not entirely altruistic. I thought, when he did return, it would be better if he did not have an army of undead humans at his back. So I set forth to oppose him. Others agreed with my position but the high monarch did not and my permanent exile dissuaded any further dissent."

"So you're exiled from the Elves." said Tenna. "From your homeland. I'm sorry."

"It's been nearly one hundred...Eight hundred now, years." Eleeni replied. "I miss my home, yes, but it's no longer important." She paused. "My people were already becoming insular. Might I ask, what news from the Elves in this future?"

Tenna looked to Lunara, who shrugged. "I think, when we found you, our wizard said that no one had seen an elf in a century or more. This is Vi, by the way." She gestured to the hovering, restrained wizard. "I'd say she's usually more polite and better dressed, but not since I've known her."

"Mmrr." growled Vi. (Funny.)

"I take no offense," said Eleeni. "I am familiar with Fallack's equipment."

"So that is why you're an exile." Lunara tried to steer the conversation back on track. "How are you a criminal?"

"Of course." Eleeni agreed. "Now a single elf is no match for the hordes of undead, so I sought out kingdoms to warn and ally with. I was dismissed initially, but after a few villages were swallowed up, I was taken more seriously. Several rulers combined their armies to fend off the dead. I was welcomed into their ranks and given a low-ranking leadership position. I had a group of soldiers at my disposal. A... brigade I think it was? However many troops that is. The conflict did not go well. Modrek did not have quality troops but his supply was nigh unlimited. It was a stalemate for years. But now comes my crime. I directed my soldiers to a village we thought to be endangered. But we were misinformed. I marshalled a defense in the wrong place, and two townships were wiped from the earth while I was elsewhere. Three hundred fourteen innocent lives, gone."

"I can imagine the situation." said Lunara with a sigh. "All those lives lost and someone had to take the blame. You were an easy mark."

"Yes. I was still a foreigner and the recipient of faulty intelligence." Eleeni agreed. "I was sentenced to death by a military tribunal."

"And yet, here you are." put in Myx.

"Indeed," said Eleeni. "That was how I met Arch-mage Fallack. He intervened on my behalf and I was placed in his custody."

(Ask her about the Arch-mage!) projected Vi.

"You said this was Fallack's sanctum." Lunara went on. "So that's why you're in this cage?"

"No." said Eleeni. "I was technically his prisoner, but he did not treat me as such."

(Lu!)

Lunara sighed. "Tell us about this Arch-mage please. We found some of his things, but this is the first we've heard of him."

"He was... private." agreed Eleeni. "And... I believe the human word would be eccentric. But he was a decent man. I cannot call us friends in honesty, but I came to respect him. And trust his judgement. And he respected me, or treated me as though he did anyway. I was in his employ for nearly a century, and together we saw Vel Modrek's defeat."

(How old was he?!) projected Vi. (How old is she?! It's said elves were long-lived! What happened to Velmodrek?! So many questions!) Her thoughts were a little frantic, but audibly there was only a slight whine through the gag. "Mmmm!"

Lunara glanced back at the Wizard with a sigh. She was going to derail the conversation further, but there was little for it. "Ten. Myx. Will you release Vi. I'm sure she has questions." She added telepathically, (And I'd like to keep our mental link to ourselves for the moment.) She switched back to speech, addressing the Elf. "So he was a good man. Given the... nature of the items, we had some concerns."

"About, I might imagine, how voluntary participation was." Eleeni responded, looking in Vi's direction. "I had similar concerns when I was conscripted into his service. I admit, I occasionally found myself in... less than ideal circumstances, but he did not force me. Even early in our association, when I was disinclined to go against my savior, he did not press his will upon me. But, as I learned and I imagine you have as well," she nodded to a partially free Vi, "the trade-offs are worth the inconvenience. Which of the sets have you found? The Staff, clearly." She nodded again to Vi, who lowered to the floor as her feet were released.

(She's probing us back.) Myx sing-songed mentally.

(And would either of you do any different in her place?) put in Tenna. (I defer to you, Lu, but stay polite.)

Lunara mentally scowled but kept her face straight. "Several. In a chest full of magical things including the key to this sanctum.  You're fishing for information. I understand. But I don't trust you yet. For all I know, *you* are this Velmodrek. I'm trying to gain what intelligence I can."

"A disgusting thought." replied Eleeni. "But an intelligent one. Apologies. Continue your--"

"Muwlah!" Vi gasped as the gag was finally peeled from her face by Tenna. "I have... so many questions!" She was free but still fully naked. As she stepped forward, she briefly wrapped her arms around herself to protect some modesty, before looking around, sighing, and dropping her limbs to her sides. "This Arch-mage, Fallack, what happened to him?"

Eleeni's lips quirked for a moment and her eyes dipped to her own uncovered form. "I greet you wizard Vi. He died, I assume. He was quite old, his life greatly extended by magic, but he said his time was approaching and there were no steps he was comfortable with taking to prolong his life further.".

"And Velmodrek?" Vi went on.

"Two words. Vel. Modrek." Eleeni informed. "I've known enough wizards to recognize a need for precision. He was... defeated. Destroyed, though it was Fallack's opinion that he was not gone from this world. I am inclined to agree but that he is still a legend after so long is good news."

"Yes! You said Vel was a title!" Vi exclaimed. "I should have realized..."

(Focus, Vi!) Lunara mentally barked.

"Right!" Vi gasped "Right. We can discuss history and culture later. You said Arch-mage Fallack was dying? Or his time was approaching. So why was this done to you? It was only luck that we stumbled into this place. You could have been stuck in that cell forever."

"And indeed still could be." Eleeni said with a shrug. "I still am, currently. But I was exiled from my people. An outcast still, from other cultures. Fallack was dying and his other associates had gone their separate ways. And, most sharply, my own partner had recently passed. I had nothing and nowhere to go. I was... lost. I asked for this. A stay of having to painfully move forward. He told me... He told me it would make little difference. For me, time would not pass and, *if* I woke, I would be as lost, if not more, than I had been. He was right, of course. Seven hundred years, and it feels as though I lost her yesterday." Eleeni slumped in her seat.

(Taking over.) Tenna projected, not waiting for an argument. "I am sorry for your loss. No matter how recently. Would it help to talk about her? You have an interested audience."

"Who's to say?" Eleeni sighed. "But my options are limited. Her name was Fil. She was a halfling; one of Fallack's rescues from the prison system and became his Wraith. I did not know what he saw in her but I came to learn. They were two of a kind." She let out a breath with a half grin. "She delighted in his eccentric proclivities, even when she was the subject. More so, of course, when I was. It was foolish, of course. My love for her. Elves live so long compared to other races..."

(I knew it!) Fortunately, Vi kept audibly silent. (And... Oh, the Wraith. I think I can guess...)

"But it was worth it the entire time." Eleeni continued.

"Of course it was." Tenna agreed. "How long were you together? And... how did she pass?"

"Ah." Eleeni's face broke into a full smile. "Seventy-eight years we were together. She lived to one hundred and seven, ancient for a halfling. And she died of old age. She did not look it, of course. Regular use of The Wraith gear kept her youthful. But not immortal. Her time came."

"I see." said Tenna. "That sounds wonderful. A long and happy--"

"Wait!" interrupted Myx, eyes opening wide. "The fuckin' what now?! Kept her young!?"

(Myx!) "Myx!" Tenna gave the rogue a double rebuke.

"No! No. Agreed." Vi interjected, working to temper her enthusiasm. "I have personally identified some of his work and there was no mention of inhibited aging."

"No, indeed." Eleeni agreed. "An unintended consequence, according to Fallack. A byproduct of his 'beautification' enchantment and the extraordinary benefits of these 'sets'. Fil was how we first noticed. I age comparatively slowly; I was his Juggernaut, and his Staff was a rotating position. But when Fil was The Wraith for thirty-five years and did not change at all, he looked into it."

"Huh." mused Myx. "So all I have to do to stay young and beautiful is get trussed up like a turkey every so often? Guess there are worse trade-offs." A smirk crept onto her face. "What do you think, Lu?"

Lunara pinched the bridge of her nose. She wasn't an interrogator and her companions were making things more difficult. "Something to discuss. At another time. Our subject currently is Eleeni and what to do with her. Nell?"

"Yes." The Paladin agreed. "I detect no deceit. Her aura is no darker than you or I and as a soldier, that makes sense. I believe her story. She is not an ancient necromancer. I suggest we take her at her word and release her."

"Seconded." added Tenna.

"Mn."Grumbled Lunara. "Myx?"

"I think everyone is shifty." Myx commented. "I mean, I'm not getting any bad vibes or anything. I'll back whatever you guys decide."

"Right." Lunara shifted her gaze to the Wizard.

"Ugh, okay." Vi groaned. "Devil's advocate here, but, if I'm reading the interface right, it wouldn't be difficult to keep her in there. She's naked, so the cell will keep her sustained, I think." She turned her eyes to the captive elf. "Right?"

"It would." Eleeni replied. "A precaution, Fallack said, in case the spell failed. Though seven hundred years of captive consciousness would not have been a mercy."

"True." agreed Vi. "So we do have options. But my vote is to let her out. Seems the right thing to do, but, on a practical note, she could be an incredible source of..." She met Lunara's gaze with a half grin, "Intelligence. If she agrees to be."

"Okay then." said Lunara. "Three in favor and one 'whatever'. Seems a consensus has been reached. We'll let you out. But also on a practical note, Eleeni, what will you do now?"

"I... don't know." Eleeni sagged. "Fallack was right. I am as lost as ever. I would ask a boon of you. There is a small trunk in here somewhere, I assume. It holds some personal effects. I understand this is your... place now, but if I could have it..."

(Lunara?) Tenna projected.

(I know.) The soldier mentally sighed. "We're not going to just turn you out. You're welcome to stay with us if you wish. If you left, you'd likely be dragging Vi behind you anyway. Get your feet back under you, and you can decide what to do."

"I.. Thank you." said Eleeni. "This place has been my home for so long that I might starve before I relearn how to acquire food for myself. I will willingly share what information I have while staying with you."

"Appreciated." said Lunara. She turned to the Wizard. "Vi, how hard is it going to be to open that door?"

"Not hard at all, now that I'm untied." Vi held out her arm with the 'key' tattoo. "At your word."

Lunara tensed, but spun her halberd once and slid it into a ring at her shoulder. Myx was also visibly taut. "Very well then. Go."

Vi looked at the cell door, tilting her head in concentration. Almost instantly, there was a click, and the cell popped open a quarter of an inch.

For a moment, no one moved. Eleeni stayed seated on her cot, looking at the opening, while the others stood frozen on the outside. Then Tenna stepped forward. She swung the bars fully open and offered a hand to the unmoving elf. "Once again, Eleeni, welcome to the future."

Eleni rose to her feet and slowly took the offered appendage. "It... does seem more genuine this time. But I understand your caution." She allowed the Cleric to lead her from the cell, pausing only a moment as she crossed the threshold.

"Yeah...." sigh Myx. "We're gonna have to find her some clothes. She's distracting, and she'll cause a scene if she leaves the keep."

There are some garments in my effects." said Eleeni. "But they were a collaboration between Fil and The Arch-mage, so they might only further the distraction."

"Oh!" Upon hearing the word 'clothes', Vi turned and rushed to the folded stack of what she'd been wearing when they'd entered the Sanctum.

"And where might this trunk be?" Lunara was cordial but remained clearly alert.

"Fallack's workshop." Eleeni responded with a gesture. "That door. In the interest of fostering trust, there are two daggers, an imitation of an elven sabre, and a magical trinket in the trunk among the mundane clothing and gear."

"Ooo, what does the trinket do?" Vi was only partially modest, but had to be part of the interesting conversation. "And why an imitation sabre?"

"My weapons and armor were 'confiscated' when I was sentenced." Eleeni replied, trailing behind Tenna and staying visibly ahead of Lunara. "In combat, I  was the Juggernaut, so I had no need of replacements, but as you can imagine, that is not a public persona. I wanted for something when I was 'out and about' as Fil would put it, and, of course, I could not go to the Elves for anything familiar. Fallack fashioned me an acceptable stand-in. As for the 'trinket', I am forced to admit, it is much more than that. It was a gift from Fallack to Fil, bequeathed to me when she passed. It's in the shape of a small key and it... locks things. I would, of course, like to keep it, but would allow your Wizard to examine it."