Deadsoil, referenced in both the Complete Compendium of Potion Formulas and A Detailed Guide to Herbs, is a highly versatile basic material in alchemy; many magic potions require it.
If it weren't for the ancient magic of the Black Sun, Marvin would not have been able to collect much deadsoil. It just so happened to be of use now.
The Titlan Snake, transformed from the statue, feeds on deadsoil. On second thought, this isn't surprising at all; after all, the essence of alchemy is to turn death into life, and deadsoil is the crystallization of material death.
The Titlan Snake that consumed deadsoil must have an alchemical array inside its body that can transform dead matter into items necessary for activity.
If that's the case...
Marvin looked at the statues on the shelves, deep in thought.
