Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Monstrata
Order: Carnivora
Genus: Anthrokymerus
Species: Anthrokymerus Androsphinx
Height: 4.62 meters
Length: 12.8 meters
Wingspan: 35.96 meters
Weight: 964 kg
Point Total to Slay: 34 points
Description:
The enigmatic, intelligent Sphinx is a species of anthro-kymeric monster that combines a lion’s body, a falcon’s wings, and a humanoid head. Although they are most commonly encountered in the deserts and savannahs of northern Africa, there are numerous tales of Sphinxes taking up residence in Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and India. The young specimen kept in Pavio Yaz’s menagerie was originally captured on the Sinai Peninsula.
Sphinxes tend to hunt large game animals, which they then fly back to their lairs so as not to have to share with scavengers. Sphinxes love raw meat and the thrill of the kill, even though it is sometimes at odds with their basically civilized instincts and natures. Interesting is the fact that the longer a Sphinx lives, the less it needs to consume, with the oldest sphinxes eating perhaps no more than once per century. Similarly, the older a Sphinx gets, the more sedentary it becomes, until the oldest Sphinxes barely move at all except when necessary. Many legends have arisen around this fact, and hint that some of the oldest statues of sphinxes may in fact be truly ancient specimens who calcified through magical means.
Neighboring humanoids generally adopt a policy of avoiding local sphinxes, as the creatures grow increasingly irritable each time their solitude is invaded. Even so, once a sphinx’s lair is known, it can expect a steady flow of visitors in search of the fabled wisdom of its race. Sphinxes prefer to converse in their own tongue, but most speak the languages of humans and dragons as well. Addressing a sphinx in its own language with all due politeness and deference goes a long way to ensure peaceful conversation. However, some sphinxes move to quieter abodes once the interruptions become too much to bear; others devour a few of the more irritating supplicants until the visits cease.
Hunting the Sphinx:
The Sphinx we are hunting is a younger specimen who – according to the sorcerer’s records – is ill tempered but not outright violent. However, news of a Sphinx in Tambay is bound to attract visitors who seek information or wisdom. As this specimen does not take kindly to “fools,” innocents could find themselves falling victim to the beast’s fury.
Sphinxes are incredibly difficult to slay. While you may be able to bring down the beast by targeting the heart and lungs, the most vulnerable spots on any sphinx are its eyes.