Question
An old saying cautions “woe to the child who tastes [of this substance] from a kiss on the brow, for he is cursed and soon will die,” in a possible reference to cystic fibrosis. For 10 points each:
[10e] Name this substance, which represents stability and the body alchemically. It is unlucky to spill this substance, while it can be tossed over the shoulder to avert bad luck.
ANSWER: salt
[10m] Two answers required. These substances were grouped with salt as the alchemical tria prima. The Dragon of Wawel (“VAH-vel”) was defeated using cattle stuffed with one of these substances, which represented combustibility, while the other represented change.
ANSWER: sulfur AND mercury
[10h] The tria prima were laid out by Paracelsus, who coined the term for this liquid to fortify the liver. Jan Baptist van Helmont claimed this “universal solvent” could dissolve anything into its “first being” and thus create medicine.
ANSWER: alkahest [accept circulated salt; accept fire water or ignis aqua]
<AY, Mythology>
Data
Summary
| Tournament | Edition | Exact Match? | Heard | PPB | Easy % | Medium % | Hard % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RMP Fest Online Mirror | 05/31/25 | N | 4 | 30.00 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2025 RMP Fest Carleton Mirror | 07/13/25 | Y | 2 | 15.00 | 100% | 50% | 0% |
| 2025 RMP Fest CO Mirror | 08/10/25 | Y | 6 | 16.67 | 100% | 50% | 17% |