Frozen Male Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Dead Decessus
Birthday: Monday, October 28, 2013
Owner: Nissa
Element: Neutral
The moment you plucked this egg from the stream, you began to worry. It's like no other egg you have ever found, oddly soft, and you can't hear any noises coming from within. A plump tail has emerged from a crack, but it hasn't moved. You watch over the egg all day, afraid that the hatchling inside is not alive, but as night slowly falls, the egg begins to crack. Inside is a little rat, tightly coiled into a ball, and you lean over it, wondering what could be the matter. It is not moving. A stench drifts upwards, and you recoil, disgusted. As you watch, the hatchling begins to rot, flesh rippling and falling away from bones. Whatever it was, this youngling was born dead, and will never move.
Decessusi are strange creatures, and very rare. They are only born once a year, in the dead of the night, making them hard to come by and coveted among magi who delve into the darker arts. These rodents are oddities even among magical creatures, as they move without breathing, and no blood flows through their veins. Bones peek through decaying flesh, a startling sight to those not accustomed to this species. Despite their frightening appearance, they are loyal to their magi, and can often be found curled up in a cloak pocket, sleeping away the day. Much superstition surrounds decessusi, and not surprisingly, most fear them. No one knows how these beings came into existence: there are varying opinions on the matter. Some believe it was evil magi meddling with the balance of magic, but most think it is the spirits of the dead, trying to grasp what little life they can. No matter where their souls came from, decessus are clever creatures, masters at collecting information and helping their magi.
Sprite art: BettyxMe (hatchling) | Description: Damien