As a DM: I am wondering if anyone has a definitive and supported answer to whether the 3rd level spell "Remove Curse" can restore someone or something petrified by a Basilisk or other petrification effect.
The petrification affect mentions greater restoration, which suggests that it requires a more powerful magic, but RAI I can't imagine that petrification could count as anything other than a Curse.
If people think it does require more power to restore the petrified, I am thinking that it might require an arcana check or the use of a higher level spell slot.
RAW, if it doesn’t say it is a curse, it’s not a curse. Petrification is a condition. Some magical effects are curse-like in being fairly long lasting and negative but are not curses.
Given you mention RAI, well, I have no other comment.
There could be all sorts of curses which cause Petrification, but not all sources of Petrification are a curse. Each source of Petrification will specify what can be used to counter or end the condition. Basilisks do not curse.
There could be all sorts of curses which cause Petrification, but not all sources of Petrification are a curse. Each source of Petrification will specify what can be used to counter or end the condition. Basilisks do not curse.
Agreed. For example, a beholder's petrification ray is an ability of the beholder, but a medusa's petrifying gaze says that it's part of the curse placed on the medusa. It seems like a very grey area, kind of a case-by-case basis thing. Ultimately, though, I think it's up to you as a DM and what works best for the story you and your players are telling.
I am playing through ToA, and we are near the end. A few players have been petrified through the game. The party is level 8 (minimum lvl 9 recomended for the last chapter whixh we are in) and we have no access to greater restoration. I'm pure level 8 cleric.
Is there any way to save a character once petrified? I am wondering if breaking the statue, mending it and casting reviving may work. Has another cure besides greater restoration or wish been released in the RaW?
I am playing through ToA, and we are near the end. A few players have been petrified through the game. The party is level 8 (minimum lvl 9 recomended for the last chapter whixh we are in) and we have no access to greater restoration. I'm pure level 8 cleric.
Is there any way to save a character once petrified? I am wondering if breaking the statue, mending it and casting reviving may work. Has another cure besides greater restoration or wish been released in the RaW?
Unfortunately breaking a petrified person and resurrecting them will not end the petrification in RAW, your DM may allow it though.
Spells like remove curse, dispel magic, or lesser restoration might work, but only if the petrification was caused by a curse, spell, or disease respectively.
One item that may prove helpful (beside wish granting ones) is necklace of prayer beads, as it has a chance to have greater restoration. Maybe your DM will give it Greater restoration guaranteed.
DM wisdom, not RAW: I would say that a "curse" needs a "source and intention" to qualify as a curse and a way to lift the curse by another action/deed (anyone touching the Blessed Stone of Imhotep; all the people in Sleeping Beauties castle, when the witch uttered the spell, the enchantment placed on the Mace or Granite etc.) You can atone with the priests of Imhotep to free your friend from the curse; the prince can reach the princes and list the curse by a true love's kiss; you can break the Mace and lift the curse. A basilisk's gaze would be a basic "ability" that causes you turn to stone. Game of Throne's "Greyscale" is an unnatural sickness etc. There is nothing or nobody really connected to the effect. As a DM, I would give my players something to counter the petrification, if it is just their level keeping them from fighting the effect, e.g. a blessing from a holy spring they have to bathe in, that will keep them safe from petrification for X hours or days. This way they can prepare for a basilisk encounter.
In that campaign, one possible source of petrification is the basilisks in the Fane of the Night Serpent, which works out really well. In the Monster Manual, it states that basilisks have an enzyme in their digestive system that reverts petrified material to its original state for digestion, and that this is often used as a way to free those who have been petrified.
I would give it either a Nature check or Survival check to harvest this substance, and then require proficiency with an alchemist's kit to use it to restore someone.
As a DM: I am wondering if anyone has a definitive and supported answer to whether the 3rd level spell "Remove Curse" can restore someone or something petrified by a Basilisk or other petrification effect.
The petrification affect mentions greater restoration, which suggests that it requires a more powerful magic, but RAI I can't imagine that petrification could count as anything other than a Curse.
If people think it does require more power to restore the petrified, I am thinking that it might require an arcana check or the use of a higher level spell slot.
Anyone have anything definite?
Basilisk
Look like it's up to you as DM.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
RAW, if it doesn’t say it is a curse, it’s not a curse. Petrification is a condition. Some magical effects are curse-like in being fairly long lasting and negative but are not curses.
Given you mention RAI, well, I have no other comment.
There could be all sorts of curses which cause Petrification, but not all sources of Petrification are a curse. Each source of Petrification will specify what can be used to counter or end the condition. Basilisks do not curse.
Agreed. For example, a beholder's petrification ray is an ability of the beholder, but a medusa's petrifying gaze says that it's part of the curse placed on the medusa. It seems like a very grey area, kind of a case-by-case basis thing. Ultimately, though, I think it's up to you as a DM and what works best for the story you and your players are telling.
Thanks! And its incredibly awkward to admit I wrote RAI and not RAW.
I am playing through ToA, and we are near the end. A few players have been petrified through the game. The party is level 8 (minimum lvl 9 recomended for the last chapter whixh we are in) and we have no access to greater restoration. I'm pure level 8 cleric.
Is there any way to save a character once petrified? I am wondering if breaking the statue, mending it and casting reviving may work. Has another cure besides greater restoration or wish been released in the RaW?
Unfortunately breaking a petrified person and resurrecting them will not end the petrification in RAW, your DM may allow it though.
Spells like remove curse, dispel magic, or lesser restoration might work, but only if the petrification was caused by a curse, spell, or disease respectively.
One item that may prove helpful (beside wish granting ones) is necklace of prayer beads, as it has a chance to have greater restoration. Maybe your DM will give it Greater restoration guaranteed.
DM wisdom, not RAW:
I would say that a "curse" needs a "source and intention" to qualify as a curse and a way to lift the curse by another action/deed (anyone touching the Blessed Stone of Imhotep; all the people in Sleeping Beauties castle, when the witch uttered the spell, the enchantment placed on the Mace or Granite etc.)
You can atone with the priests of Imhotep to free your friend from the curse; the prince can reach the princes and list the curse by a true love's kiss; you can break the Mace and lift the curse.
A basilisk's gaze would be a basic "ability" that causes you turn to stone. Game of Throne's "Greyscale" is an unnatural sickness etc. There is nothing or nobody really connected to the effect.
As a DM, I would give my players something to counter the petrification, if it is just their level keeping them from fighting the effect, e.g. a blessing from a holy spring they have to bathe in, that will keep them safe from petrification for X hours or days. This way they can prepare for a basilisk encounter.
In that campaign, one possible source of petrification is the basilisks in the Fane of the Night Serpent, which works out really well. In the Monster Manual, it states that basilisks have an enzyme in their digestive system that reverts petrified material to its original state for digestion, and that this is often used as a way to free those who have been petrified.
I would give it either a Nature check or Survival check to harvest this substance, and then require proficiency with an alchemist's kit to use it to restore someone.
Step 1: Find some basilisk eggs.
Step 2: Hatch those eggs and make them imprint upon one of the PCs.
Step 3: Use operant conditioning to train your basilisks to begin salivating whenever they hear the ringing of a bell.
Step 4: Collect the basilisk saliva and spread it on the creature you want to restore.
Step 5: Look your basilisk in the eye and thank them for their service.
Step 6: Have one of your party members repeat steps 3 and 4 and then smack you for being an idiot.