In the great expanse of the open oceans, deep below the waves, lie the great civilizations of Islandur and Mesolanr. The former is home to the people known as merfolk, and the latter is the long descendant race of elvish people called Atlanteans. Elves that have adapted to life under the seas.
 
The Merfolk are hardy and proud folk, known for their love of the oceans and its creatures, and wary of land walkers, though not hostile. I have befriended quite a few of them over the decades, able to stay under the waves, through various magics, allowing me to explore their cities, and learn their culture and magics. It has come to my knowledge that the merfolk allows their people at the age of ascension to spend one year on land if they wish. This way they can decide to remain in the ocean or on land.
 
Thus, if they choose to explore the land out of the ocean, they swim to the shore, and with the ancient magic of the merfolk, the tale begins to dissolve into a pillar of salt, when complete the individual can break out of the pillar of salt and step on to land. It is this salt that remains behind, that we have discovered it is a powerful spell component or catalyst in potions. Thus, providing ample opportunity for my apprentices to collect this salt and bring it to you. Corked and sealed in a vial, to preserve its potency. Sufficient for all magical potions, magical studies, and spell components.