Sphinx

Sphinxes were a race of intelligent, immortal magical beasts. It was said that they once held a vast kingdom given to them by the gods in an effort to teach mortals the way of truth. The sphinxes had their own methods, however, by teaching mortals to think for themselves with riddles and parables. Four common subraces of sphinx included the androsphinx, criosphinx, gynosphinx, and hieracosphinx.

Description
All sphinxes had leonine bodies with great feathery wings.

Ecology
Sphinxes tended to be very solitary creatures and were territorial. Many made their lairs within the ruins of ancient civilizations or in isolated caves. Alignment among sphinx subraces differed vastly; androsphinx were known for their good nature, while hieracosphinx were inherently evil.

Language
Sphinxes spoke their own language as well as Common and Draconic.

Androsphinx
Androsphinxes were a male subrace of sphinx, with the body of male lions, masculine humanoid faces, and massive wings. They were physically powerful creatures with inherent magical powers and a terrifying roar. While they tended to be short-tempered and terse, androsphinxes possessed good-natured ideals and always attempted to do the right thing.

Gynosphinx
A gynosphinx was a female sphinx, with a winged female lion body and feminine humanoid facial features. While not as physically powerful as an androsphinx, the gynosphinx was still a capable combatant and possessesed a number of magical powers. The gynosphinx was the sole female sphinx subrace.

Gynosphinxes preferred to pursue intellectual ideals. They loved to collect knowledge and ancient lore, and delight in solving riddles, puzzles and mental challenges.

Other Types

 * Canisphinx — Jackal-headed, predatory sphinxes
 * Criosphinx — Male ram-headed sphinxes with low intelligence and generally had the sole aim of finding a gynosphinx mate.
 * Dracosphinx — Evil, crocodilian sphinxes that made their lair on river banks
 * Hieracosphinx — Evil, savage and animal-intelligent hawk-headed sphinxes.
 * Luposphinx — Wolf-headed, forest-dwelling sphinxes
 * Saurosphinx — Reptilian-faced, conversational sphinxes

Notable Sphinxes

 * Firaleene, an ancient sphinx who lived inside the consciousness of the primordial Achazar.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Desert of Desolation • Shadowdale • A Dozen and One Adventures • Temple of the Sky God
 * Fires of Zatal
 * Novels
 * Prince of Lies • Swordmage
 * Masquerades • The Abduction • The Crimson Gold • Heirs of Prophecy • Ascendancy of the Last
 * Board Games
 * Mertwig's Maze • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins
 * Board Games
 * Mertwig's Maze • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins