The Stone Pest

The Stone Pest is thought to be a disease of arcane origin. It is thought to have originated in The Stye, although this is not confirmed.
The Stone Pest has two stages of infection.
During the first stage, the infected will suffer no debilitating symptoms, apart from extremely vivid dreams. People often claim that they hear a voice speaking to them while they sleep. Occasionally, a patient may be able to remain awake while experiencing these dreams, in which case they are able to describe the experience as it happens.
Infected individuals are not contagious during this stage. This first stage can last anywhere between 1 week and 1 month.
During the second stage of infection, sufferers will experience tremendous headaches and will at times project their dreams to others while they sleep. This projection of dreams seems to be what spreads the disease. As such, the only known way to catch the disease is to sleep within proximity of an infected person who is also currently asleep, dreaming, and already suffering the second stage of infection.
Gradually, the infected individual will sleep for longer and longer periods, and eventually not wake up. No way has been found to wake a person in this condition. Shortly after this has happened, their body will turn to stone. Treatments for petrification magic can reverse this effect, but only temporarily as the stone will return after only a short time.
After a number of days, the stone will darken - eventually becoming Lapothox. Once this has happened, treatments for petrification magic cease to be effective in any way.