Mort shakes his head. "No I'm afraid he did pass away. Only I have the ability to bring him back in a new body. But I will have to perform a ritual to do so."
"A new body. Would he look the same, or would he come back as, say, a halfling?"
"Or even a troglodyte." added Seventeen sounding unusually keen. If you didn't know her better you'd have thought she was being stunningly insensitive. Perhaps she was but her intent was driven by curiosity, what was being discussed was strange and wonderful.
Mort walks over all of Petyr's belongings and kneels in front of the altar, then begins murmuring and whispering a plea to Gozreh in the Druidic language.
"Oh mighty Gozreh, hear the plea of one of your followers in a world of artificial life. One of your truest followers has fallen at the claws of otherworldly life. He had found peace and the truest meaning to live life in harmony with nature, to make good of the bounties you provide us with. Hear me now oh Gozreh, please give us the means to bring this true follower of nature back to this world, I ask you this not for ourselves, but for him and the natural enclave he maintained."
Mort then remains quiet as he thinks about the oils of the earth and natural oils from plants that he might need.
He sits still like this for about 5 minutes before tracing a symbol of a leaf over his chest and getting up.
Meanwhile Guaire keeps an eye out for anything unwated, that might be approaching the group.
Seventeen watches with rapt fascination. She takes copious notes about the process in her folio, and even draws a good likeness of Mort mid ceremony.
Mort gets a +4 resistance bonus on saving throws against weather effects and a +2 circumstance bonus on Fly, Profession (sailor), and Swim checks for 24 hours. The Altar also grants everyone inside the cave Magic Circle against Evil for 24 hours.
Mort gets up again after his moments of silence and packs up his things.
"Seems we will have to get back to town before I can perform my magic on Petyr. I had hoped Gozreh might take pity on someone so strongly connected to nature as Petyr was, so as to bless us with the meager provisions to bring him back. Alas, I figure my voice is too small in the greater things of nature."
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"Guessing we'll need to load Petyr in the Dusklight, perhaps Omo can devise a storage unit for him while we return."
After loading the body Jarreck returns to the others.
"What are we going to do, surely the rest of those critters are going to notice the 3 missing ones before we can return from town."
Mort takes the body of Peytr into the part of the Cave that holds the Shrine of Gozreh. The little druid prays, chants and does all sort of mystical stuff. Soon a blindingly bright light begins emanating from the body of Peytr.
When the light clears, a hale looking dwarf stands where once Peytr lay dead
Arrggh. Ouuch. My head hurts. Where are the Dominion! Petyr exclaims loudly, his deep baritone very different from the previous voice.
"Remarkable." noted Seventeen to Mort in a monotone. Turning to Petyr, she explains "They have been destroyed, their corpses are over there." She indicates the smear on the rear cave wall. Looking at Peytr oddly she asks, "What does it feel like? To be a Dwarf that is..."
Peytr runs his hands along his face, marveling at the changes.
I. feel much better than before. It's like what happened was a memory. A horrible one. I think. I believe that the Dominion destroyed my mind and this. This restored it. This form will take some getting used to, but I feel restored.
Seventeen tells Petyr, "Hopefully they'll leave you alone now, you see we're planning to take the fight to them. We found their crashed ship, a great rotting thing leeching toxins into the swamp. We would cleanse it if only we knew how..."
"Apart from your shorter stature, you'll probably have no problems getting used to it quickly."
Peytr nods in agreement with Jarreck. I will commune with the Sky Father. He will grant me the wisdom to cleanse the Dominion from this land. Until then, you will allow me to give you guest right here in this place. I also have memories of growing things outside.
Peytr can now fully explain the benefits of his mutant vegetables.
Apples (12 ripe) Eating a ripe apple grants a +4
bonus on saving throws against radiation effects for 24
hours.
Carrots (8 ripe) A ripe carrot grants the eater a +4
bonus on Perception checks for 24 hours
Mushrooms (7 ripe) These mushrooms exude an
oily substance that closely mimics certain odors extruded
by Dominion of the Black agents, and grants a +4 bonus
on Stealth checks inside of the drop ship (area L) or the
Dominion Hive (area M), against Dominion agents. Rubbing
a mushroom on oneself provides this benefit for an hour
Peppers (11 ripe) These bright red peppers are
quite hot, and eating any causes the eater to
become staggered for ld4 rounds (DC 15 Fort negates). Eating
a ripe pepper enhances reflexes, and grants a +2 bonus on
Initiative checks and Reflex saves for 1 hour. Additionally, rubbing a pepper on a flesh valve causes the seam to open automatically
without need for a Strength check or other action-applying
a pepper in this manner is a standard action.
"Remarkable." replied Seventeen. It was clear the fruits of Petyr's garden would be extremely useful in their assault on the crashed dominion ship.
"Say, Peytr. I've recently lost a loyal animal friend. Would you maybe know of a region where animals, free from the dominion's taint, might live?"
"Petyr thank you these crops are a boon, they will tip the balance in our advantage. Before we go do you have any advice or requests before we take tight battle to the dominion?" asked Seventeen in a monotone.
Peytr offers to summon an animal for Guaire to bond with. It would take him a day or so, but he also offers for the heroes to stay in the cave with him during that time.
Peytr shivers at the mention of the Dominion
While you've restored me. I remember all too well the damage done by those beasts. Beware the one called Paajgat, it loves to inflict pain. It's a dangerous denizen of the lower realms. That is who the Brain Collectors gave me to. That is who is responsible for my torture.
Peytr smiles at Jarreck
While I might look like a Dwarf. I am still a humble Druid of Gozreh. I will work to cleanse the stain of the Dominion from this place.
Mort whispers to Jarreck.
"Druids enjoy all the bounties of nature. Of course that includes alcohol and tobacco. Depends on the druid though how much we enjoy it."
Peytr begins describing the creature known as Paajgat. His description of Paajgat, and what she did to him, is horrifying.
Seventeen's strange brain patterns quickly process Peytr's tale and she announces, "It appears your tormentor was a powerful type of Kyton known as a Sacristan. Supposedly their gaze can unman you, and they can vomit velvety darkness from their maw. Silvered weapons are recommended when fighting one."
"That's some quite bizarre monster you describe. I hope Gozreh sees fit for us to cleanse it from this earth."
"Indeed Jarreck, I believe that would be most useful." She paused to think for a moment, "There's no telling how many of them are inside that ship. I suggest we rest here and mount the attack tomorrow."
A much more lucid Dwarf-Peytr talks with you and fills in his story a bit more.
He first came to the Scar of the Spider in 4708 (8 years previous), hoping to tame its wilderness and restore the order of natural balance-what he found here were aimless robots, alien infestations, and invasive species. Regardless, he set about doing Gozreh's work after building himself a garden home here, but a year later, the Dominion dropship descended into the valley. Aghast at the alien intrusion, Paeytr traveled into the depths of the Scar to observe, but was swiftly captured. Whether or not one could call him fortunate in that he was turned over to the kyton Paajgat rather than the intellect devourers or the neh-thalggus is a matter of perspective. The fact that he managed to escape captivity before the cruel surgeries visited upon him claimed his life would argue for luck, yet the damage done to his mind and faith was as permanent as the atrocities performed upon his body. His brain altered in ways that make it undesirable for the neh-thalggu, and his body too old and feeble for the intellect devourers to covet. Peytr is thankful for the opportunity to serve Gozreh once more, and he will do all he can to assist you in cleansing the Dominion from the Scar.
Guaire volunteers for 1st watch.
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"Good night all! Wake me for my middle watch as usual. Hey Petyr, do any of your veggies cause good dreams, had nothing but weird dreams and nightmares since coming to the Scar. Usually something about a guy sipping on what little brains I have with his morning tea." Jarreck jokes as he settles down on his bedroll to sleep.
The heroes take precautions and set watches after burning the corpses of the Neh-Thalggu outside. However, nothing disturbs their respite.
Peytr, now in a Dwarf body, communes at the Shrine of Gozreh all night. You hear his prayers from your makeshift camp in the adjacent cavern.
When dawn finally breaks, Peytr emerges and looks more...whole...
You've done me a most heroic service. You've restored my life. I will be forever indebted to you.
Seventeen nods at Petyr not entirely sure what to say, none of her books ever discussed a situation like this...
She then sits down and starts reading her folio.
2. Mirror Images, Owl's Wisdom, Glitterdust, Invisibility
3. Dispel Magic, Battering Blast, Haste
4. Greater Invisibility, Magic Circle against Technology, Obsidian Flow
5. Icy Prison, Persistent Slow