Preserve

Skill Details

Spell Books: Tome of Force
Granted By: Belweir, Tlosh
Prerequisites: None

Mana Cost: 10
Experience Cost: 0

Encyclopedia

The dungeon is filled with worms, insects, and bacteria. All of these are eager to consume any fresh carrion that falls to the floor. First time dungeon explorers are often shocked at how quickly a dead foe is stripped to the bones, and then the bones themselves are carried off.

Before he became an Arch-Lich, Tlosh was often aggravated by how quickly his research subjects decomposed. His research resulted in a localised stasis field that can arrest the decay process. Preserve has become a staple among necromancers for whom the fallen is a fuel.

Description

Can be cast in any direction.

• If the target square contains a creature, it will be given the Unchanging intrinsic for 6 rounds. The duration is designed specifically to counter the Turning to Stone intrinsic.
• If the target square contains any corpses or bones, these will be 'preserved'. Preserved corpses will not decay over time, allowing you to carry them around for later snacks, or darker purposes.
  • This can be a good way to have intrinsics-on-demand, especially when coupled with the Butchery skill to guarantee intrinsic gain.
  • It's also a big help in getting along with Pax, by letting you save meals until you're actually hungry.
  • It can also save a familiar from oblivion, and you from System Shock. Just carry the corpse with you until a Resurrection opportunity shows up. (Or if you're a lich, bury the preserved corpse in solid rock.)
  • The catch is that preserved or not, corpses don't stack in your inventory. That can use up a lot of space....