Dracosphinx

The dracosphinx is a desert-dwelling creature related to red dragons. This sphinx is a sly predator, roaming the desert highlands in search of all sorts of prey. They prefer to lair in bleak cliff sides, where they have an excellent vantage point of their hunting territory. Their main enemy is the stupid and more numerous hieracosphinx, but dragons, humans, and sometimes wyverns are also a territorial problem.

The dracosphinx has the same sort of lion body type as other sphinxes, but is also quite different from them. The head, front paws, wings, and upper body are red and scaly like those of a red dragon, while colorful feathers surround the head. These sphinxes are actually egg-laying mammals, who mate once in a lifetime.

The dracosphinx speaks Common and the same dialect of Draconic as the red dragon.

Combat
In combat, a dracosphinx attacks with its large dragon claws and bites. They use their powerful breath to dispose of foes, after using their illusions to give prey a false sense of security.

Characteristics and Habits
When not hunting, the dracosphinx can be found sunning itself in the hot desert sun, or in search of obscure information. They are also philosophers, though their ideals tend to favor stronger creatures over weaker ones. They seem to enjoy nothing more than engaging intelligent beings in riddle contests and sly conversation, setting their opponent up for sudden, cunning attack. Above all, dracosphinxes possess the same greed for monetary treasure as dragons, and will do anything to possess it.

Dracosphinxes were known to lair in the Dragonsword Mountains of Mulhorand.