Preserve (spell)

Preserve is a spell that arrests the natural decay of organic edibles, maintaining them in the exact condition they possessed at the moment the spell was cast. Foods remain fresh, wholesome and intact, as though newly harvested, prepared or baked. Spoilage does not occur; mould, rot and infestation are entirely prevented, and insects will not approach or settle upon the affected matter. The quality of the food is fixed — it neither improves nor degrades, and processes such as ageing or fermentation are halted.

Preserve

Range	touch
Duration	one month
Area of Effect	1 cub.ft. per level
Casting Time	1 round
Saving Throw	none
Level	mage (2nd)

The spell also fixes the temperature of the food. Hot dishes remain hot, cold items remain chilled and frozen goods do not thaw. A pot set to simmer will continue to do so in appearance, steam rising as before, while a chilled drink retains its coldness indefinitely. Despite this, the food does not transfer heat or cold to its surroundings. It may be handled without discomfort, as though it matched the ambient temperature, though those who consume it will experience the intended warmth or chill.

Scent is likewise preserved. Aromas neither dissipate nor intensify, remaining constant for as long as the spell endures. This can make preserved food conspicuous in close quarters, as its smell does not fade with time.

The spell may be applied repeatedly, allowing a caster to build a sustained reserve. Over successive days, even a caster of modest experience may preserve a considerable quantity of provisions, amounting to hundreds of cubic feet over the course of a month. With multiple casters, it becomes possible to maintain the supply needs of large groups, including military forces or extended expeditions.

The effect is limited strictly to substances recognised as food. It does not extend to other organic matter, such as severed limbs or corpses, nor to substances that fall outside ordinary sustenance. The products of the spells firewater, grease or alchemical preparations like lamp oil and four-thieves vinegar are unaffected, as are compounds intended for non-nutritional purposes. The spell preserves nourishment, not matter in general.