Egg
This round grey egg wears a beautiful golden crown.
Hatchling
Spoiler
An alcelon hatchling is a very rare sight, seen in the wild only briefly during winter. Those raised by magi are chubby, fluffy birds who can be shy but also enjoy quiet time sitting with those they trust. Their crown remains suspended above their head by magic, but any attempt to dislodge it will result in a nasty shock and likely a painful stab from the alcelon's dagger-like beak. Unlike most hatchlings, alcelon tend to be grave and serious even from the moment they leave the egg, perhaps remembering their former life.
Spoiler
An adult alcelon is an impressive sight despite its relatively small size, especially in the sun where the light can reflect off its crown and glow blue on its feathers. As adults they have been observed using bidents of wood to help them hunt fish. Seeing one is considered an omen of a peaceful time approaching, and many people believe it brings great luck to a village to have alcelon nesting nearby. Intelligent and quiet, alcelon are also good parents and usually mate for life. Their crown grows with them and though there are rumours of these crowns fetching a staggering price if removed from the alcelon, most magi feel this is not only cruel, but impossible.
General Description
Spoiler
When a member of royalty dies after bringing about a period of peace, their soul is said to come back in the form of an alcelon, allowed to look over their realm one last time before beginning a second life as a creature of magic. Alcelon are only ever found during a brief period of calm days in the middle of the winter season, when they lay their eggs and raise their hatchlings by the shores of lakes and streams. Any magi trying to capture one will find it always manages to slip their grip, but they can be asked to join a magi as a companion and will likely do so. The crown each one wears serves as a reminder that the alcelon was once a member of royalty, and should be afforded respect - especially if that comes in the form of a gift of fish.
Description: Sochitelya
