[hcobb]

The abuse is that this is the only summon and control critter item with no ST cost or time limit. What keeps the sorceress from having millions of pairs of eyes she can see through forever? And it's a cheap magic item.

The seaside setting is so as to make it easier to transport complete Apep skeletons.

Of course only Shadowight Sorcerers avoid the -6 DX adjustment for doing the enchantment in the complete darkness it takes to preserve an Apep skeleton so that it doesn't crumble into ash from exposure to light.