Forms of Undersea Magic (SofS)

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Simple changes in forms and standards of surface magic within Serôs must be addressed first. After all, while surface wizards may believe that magical flying carpets and wands made from twigs are the sole forms that magic may take, they often find themselves ill prepared for the varieties of magic found in the Inner Sea.
==Spellbooks and Scrolls==
As paper does not stand up well to saltwater, spellbooks of Serôs take on a variety of forms. Sea elves and shalarin treat sharkskin with chemicals, cut it into sheets, and use this rough material for scrolls or bind them into near-standard spellbooks. Shalarin do the same, but they later magically treat the pages with a coating of pearl, so their books are heavier but ultimately more durable. Morkoth permanently carve their spells onto rock spindles, which morkoth read by wrapping a tentacle around the spindle and reading the spell tactilely. Thus, morkoth spell books are cumbersome bundles of carved rocks, with the spindles increasing in size with each spell level (which necessitates a morkoth wizard having retainers carry such burdens). Tritons carve their spells permanently into a cavern wall, though it does few others any good as it is written in a language only taught to those who apprentice under a triton wizard. Further, the cavern wherein all the spells are carved is accessible only to students of the wizard who carved the cavern. Despite their varying forms, treat all of the above as standard spellbooks.
Scrolls, on the other hand, are the temporary spell pages usable by folk other than just wizards. The ink in a Serosian scroll is composed of magical varieties of kelp and coral mixtures that, once the magic of the scroll is activated, consumes the scroll and leaves nothing but desiccated sharkskin.
==Magical Weapons==
Whereas the sword is the standard weapon on land, the trident serves the same role undersea. Other prevalent weapons include daggers, spears, knives, short swords, military forks, and javelins, though an ancient weapon mostly unseen above the waves comes from the tritons-the tapal-and its design makes it a sought-after weapon by all Serôsians. Any enchantments from the DMG are possible on Serôsian weapons (within reason: a flaming sword is obviously not a workable enchantment for this setting), and any surface-world magical missile weapons or items able to be thrown (a dagger, hammer, throwing axe, etc.) have an automatic free action enchantment that allows these weapons to function despite water pressure and resistance. Native Serôsian magical weapons are carved from coral or bone strengthened by enchantments to make them hardy enough to hold additional magic. Some are made from metal, and part of their enchantment process makes them impervious to pitting and rusting. The only paladins' holy weapons in Seròs are those that sink from the surface-world.
The light often generated by magical weapons is also commonly found on Serôsian weapons, though the glow (with special exceptions) never illuminates more than a thirty-foot radius, adding one step of visibility to the surroundings.
==Potions and Ointments==
Unlike the liquid potions of Faerûn, Serôsian potions and ointments are identical: a thick gelatinous paste of kelp and other viscous substances. These take effect, depending on the type of potion/ointment, when smeared on open wounds, rubbed into the skin, or ingested. ("Think of it as akin to your toothpaste." -E.) Ointments can be troublesome as the odor and magic attract more attention than is desired. Potions and ointments are stored either in clamshells or in flexible tubes made from the skins of dead eels, to be scooped or squeezed out when needed.
==Rings and Magical Jewelry==
Nearly any type of magical ring or jewelry can be found in Seròs, though such are almost never made from metal. Most standard Serôsian magical rings are carved of lucent coral and blaze coral, with inset pearls from oysters. While amulets are not unheard of, the need for as little drag as possible while swimming results in much magical jewelry being chokers, arm or leg bands, tight belts or bandoliers, etc.
==Rods, Staves, and Wands==
Given the lack of wood in the undersea, the basic forms of rods, staves, and wands needed to change for Serôs. Shells have always served as spell receptacles similar to wands, and pearl-coated hydrozoan branches were introduced by the shalarin as alternate devices of this type. Tritons prefer nautilus shells, clam shells, and turtle shells in place of magical staves.
Narwhal horns are a rare but powerful substitute for staves, as they can hold considerable magic, and are the only known substance strong enough to hold such enchantments as the staff of the magi or a rod of lordly might. These items function the same as their surface counterparts despite their varied forms.