Hello, As the title indicates, I am looking for a cure for petrification (e.g. Medusa, basilisk, cockatrice). These cure ideas can be made up or examples from mythology. My current WIP involves petrification, but I am struggling to come up with a practical cure. In my story world petrification is a statue curse; people, creatures, or animals that are petrified are encased by or become stone. I have considered a potion, but it seems too simple. What makes the most sense (for a fantasy world with magic and potions and etc.) as a cure for someone who is petrified? I'm looking for any ideas that I can use or build off of. Don't worry about the specifics of my story, they aren't important by any means. Show me what you got! UPDATE: I have another question about petrifaction, and this may be more difficult. What if a character is petrified and he has no companion to bring him/her a cure? Are there any events that could occur or precautions a person could take? This is to say the person expects to be petrified and is trying to plan for it in advance. For my WIP, I'm planning on petrification to be an instantaneous process. It doesn't tak hours or minutes but seconds. It may be difficult to drink a potion or apply an ointment if petrification occurs instantly rather than over a period of time. Of course, the character could drink the potion knowing it will last X number of hours or days. The go to solution is an amulet, whether it's enchanted or is just able to naturally negate the petrification process. Weather is an event I considered. Thoughts?
Ok, my answer would naturally migrate to something sensual, perhaps even mildly sexual, because for me that would be the metaphorical opposite of being turned to stone. The kiss of a dryad or naiad or other mythical being imbued with a sensual nature.
Hmmm.. interesting. I like this idea. When thinking about Medusa, it is her gaze that petrifies. So, to say that a dryad's kiss can cure petrification is on point. There is also the fact that dryads have an organic nature being tree nymphs/spirits. really like this thought. Awesome, thank you!
I would probably go with something like vinegar can reverse it if caught in time; if not, it partially works. You may end up with a stone foot or something.
I always thought that wind or water would be a cool cure for stoneskin. Since wind and water both erode stone with time, maybe some sort of wind in a bottle or magic water that cut into the rock?
Weather was one of my considerations. Wind failed to come to mind. I did think about rain though, and how water sustains life. My thought process was that water hydrates; if someone is stone, they aren't exactly hydrated. Yeah, sure, stones can get wet but they don't really hold the water like our bodies do. EROSION. That word alone is beyond helpful. I'll have to do some research on erosion. THANKS!
If a gorgon's stare makes people stone, and taking @Wreybies suggestion into account, perhaps a gorgon's kiss? Makes sense of why people take the heads, though people travelling around pressing the decapitated head against petrified people is a bit of a gruesome image, though it depends on what sort of world you're going for.
Have you considered making up creatures (unless there some already) feared by Medusa, basilisk or cockatrice due to their immunity to petrification? I can see the blood of these creatures being a cure.
What if it wasn't a 'petrification' as such, but more of an evaporation of fluids in the body that leaves a stone-like husk? They could take these people and put them in a hot springs for a few months while they rehydrate.
Usually when you have a creature that can do one thing, there is another who can undo it. Medusa is a greek goddess who turned you to stone. Asclepius could undo that. Perhaps a snake bite will undo the spell? Asclepius carried a staff with two snakes wrapped around it.
High on the slopes of Mount Olympus, there's a glade. In the glade, a magical pool of sylph tears. If you immerse someone in the pool at exactly high noon on the equinox after they are first petrified, the petrification will be reversed. Carrying the tears from the pool won't work - they'll evaporate and/or lose their potency. Now, why would it be this way? it's physically hard. You have to carry the petrified victim up a mountain. it's a"ticking time bomb" -- failing to get the victim there on time means they are stoned forever. Maybe there's a work-around: can the MC gather together enough sylphs to make such a pool somewhere else, temporarily? Can they fly the (very heavy) victim to the pool? Can they convince the Sun God Apollo to delay the equinox? All of this can make for a good story, which should be your goal in picking a cure.
We have five senses: touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing. Of these, you could plausibly argue that if turned to stone you might retain the senses smell or hearing, in which case the vapours from a magic potion, or the sound of an incantation could revive you. Just a thought.
So if we have to go back from "Rock" to "Life form," then I would think a paste made from some plant/animal famous for living in rocky deserts (cactus, rattlesnake) mixed into a strong solution of calcium carbonate (calcium, carbon, and oxygen are all important to both life and rocks) EDIT: Oh, right. Not even an unusually complicated potion?
Defibrillation? Assuming that all the matter in a petrified person is in stasis as another form of matter, you'd need some energy to bring them back to life.
I blessed hammer and chisel from the Gods? What about Gorgons breast milk? (Less likely to petrify them again since you aren't using her head.) I don't know, this one is tough. A sacred and powerful magical amulet you put on the petrified person?
These are all fantastic. This thread is churning my creative juices. Thank you all! I have another question about petrifaction, and this may be more difficult. What if a character is petrified and he has no companion to bring him/her a cure? Are there any events that could occur or precautions a person could take? This is to say the person expects to be petrified and is trying to plan for it in advance. For my WIP, I'm planning on petrification to be an instantaneous process. It doesn't take hours or minutes but seconds. It may be difficult to drink a potion or apply an ointment if petrification occurs instantly rather than over a period of time. Of course, the character could drink the potion knowing it will last X number of hours or days. The go to solution is an amulet, whether it's enchanted or is just able to naturally negate the petrification process. Weather is an event I considered. Thoughts? Feel free to answer the initial question as well.
Personally, I'd suggest the potion. That way there's a certain time limit which could add a sense of tension to a scene. Plus, if it's an amulet, why would people not wear them when going to a place with a chance of being petrified. Renders that aspect the gorgon a non-threat entirely.
Why not have them form a skin-hugging barrier. If they know in advance then they should set up some just-in-case measures. This way when they are 'petrified' they will not be completely stuck. They can 'let go' of their barrier and freedom! This also gives the illusion that their person has been petrified while maintaining a surprise element.
@antlad lol! That is so wrong although an oil-like substance is realistic stone and oil just don't meld.
Not to mention it makes them easier to move if they are stone. Just give them a push and they'll slide.
Strange how memories bring other memories.When I just now came back, I got the odor of hot vaseline. A very distinct odor after decades around the tattoo industry.
.... When you say "skin-hugging barrier," what do you mean? Are you saying that the petrified gain a layer of stone over their body that permits restricted movement rather than a petrified person's body turned to stone, leaving the afflicted immobile? My train of thoughts leads me to believe petrification would affect all parts of the body from skin to bone to organs. If you mean "an extra layer of stone skin," it's definitely a different perspective on the matter. This concept could actually change the dynamics of the afflicted as well. Moreover, making the afflicted less vulnerable in battle? Much appreciated.