Ancient guardians of precious artifacts, and accursed cities. These distant cousins of the Manticore decided to engross theme selves in arcane knowledge, and mystic wisdom as a means to gain power. Not only did this make them powerful in their own right, but nation leaders would also come to these powerful creatures and offer them food and wealth in exchange for protection of sacred sights, or collections of wealth.  Sphinxes live lives of luxury, rarely having to actually protect their charges, as the simple rumor that a sphinx guards something is enough to scare off would be thieves. On the rare occasion that a burglar would attempt to rob a sphinxes charge, they give the brave soul a chance at success by offering them a riddle, or a question of ancient lore. If the burglar fails to answer the sphinxes question, the sphinx will relieve them of their life with as much ease as a cat to a mouse. The Sphinxes that gain a taste for blood will often leave a masters service, and block entrance to random cities that they treat as their charge, killing any who fail to answer their questions.