Value 2 gp/lb.; HP/inch 3; Hardness 1
Growing in underwater forests in shallow waters, black seaweed is a relatively common commodity in coastal areas. When wet, it is inky black with slightly lighter veins. When dried, it looks almost like tobacco only darker and much more fibrous. Black seaweed is often used as a rope substitute by aquatic races, especially in construction of nets, due to its strength and resistance to seawater.
Black seaweed must be kept moist at all times. The moment it is removed from salt water it begins to deteriorate and lose its strength. Removal from water for more than 8 hours begins to dry it out (hardness 0, 2 hp/in.) and causes it to lose its elasticity. Before this point the seaweed can be brought back to its normal state by submersion for one hour in salt water. Once 8 hours have past the deterioration is irreversible and after 24 hours out of water it is dry and brittle (hardness 0, 1 hp) and easily broken apart like any other dried plant. Storing black seaweed in any liquid other than seawater slows the process to one-fourth its normal time (32 hours to begin drying out, 96 hours to become brittle) but does not completely prevent it.