Sphinxes

Excerpt from a journal by the scholar and adventurer, Issac Zephyr.
When one hear the name "Sphinx". people would instantly say that they are that of the Stone Sphinx that are found in the remote desert regions. well I have found that there are more than one type of Sphinx out there. My name is Issac Zephyr and as an explorer i find unusual things out there in my time exploring the unknown. Well in this journal you might not believe me in what i'm gonna tell you. Sphinx's are more than just stone, they are living, breathing beings. bigger than any statue, more powerful than any mage, and more beautiful than any woman i have ever seen. Few know of their existence even and I? well I was lucky enough to even meet one in my travels. Luckier even that I got to talk with one. As it turns out Sphinx's are one of the oldest of races known out here in Artainia as well as the least few in number as well. due to their immortality that is. from what i came to understand the Sphinx have great interest in us mortals. it seems they have been watching us for a very long time observing our culture.
but from what i learned from this "Sphinx" was that they had more interest in the Agreian Elves than any other race finding that their hard work and will is what brought them to the elves even. they would help the elves in their daily life's, making their lives much easier for them using their immense magical power. The Elves Revered the Sphinx's so much as to worship them like Gods. they went as far as forming tribes from families who have been helped by the same Sphinx even more so to show their gratitude by making tattoos and tribe symbol's in their name even. after my conversation with the Sphinx and having parted ways i visited many of the Ancient Libraries that we could use and researched the Sphinx. in my findings and ancient lore, as i even had to look through the Elves scriptures with the help of an agreian elf to help me translate it. my findings were most interesting as it turns in that not only in worship but in long strides would the elves make great pilgrimages to the homes of the Sphinx to. bringing them gifts they have made for them to show their humble and generous nature towards these benevolent beings.
Because of these acts the Sphinx's would help the Elves out in certain mortals issue. I have even read in some ancient books that the nation known as Razel once tried to take Agreia to stage a war front on the neighboring areas. however their march failed to proceed as it says in the book that the very sun turned against them and their crops failed due to a massive drought. this lead me to believe that it must have been the Sphinx's doing. though in my research the Sphinx's have a mastery of the Elemental Plane of Light, it would seem they can cast powerful magic of the other elements as well. in my later studies of the Sphinx's i came across an interesting note stating that in a certain period of time the Sphinx's left and were no where to be found. while later reading say it is unknown as to why they left. as even some of the Elves felt they had abandoned them it turns out from my friendly Sphinx that an inner strife took place where one of their own kind turned on them. much to my surprise as it turns out this sphinx took a great deal of knowledge and secrets.
some of which revealed their weakness in their immortality which could end their race altogether. as it turns out from my Sphinx friend that when the life force of a Spinx expires their bodies harden to a stone statue state so that their bodies may be reincarnated. these stone statues are in deed guarded by the Elves of course. I can see why this would be a weakness as they would be defenseless in this state. i wonder I did see some Egyptian Statues in some areas. could they have been Sphinx's too? hiding in plain sight? the sphinx told me that her entire race came together to discuss the issue but unbeknownst to them however a massive war took place outside of Argaia which ended up devastating it to where no life would be able to grow from it's soil ever again. as years past based on the subject at hand they managed to finally reach a conclusion as to how to deal with this so called defector. but they would deal with it in time as they needed to check up on their eleven guests. who was this traitor I wonder? and with all this magical power and might why would they defect seems to me they had everything they ever wanted. however much to the sphinx's dismay when they returned back to the mortal plain was they had found the home of what they cherished to be destroyed beyond repair. only death and destruction was left in this once beautiful land. having realized their mistake in obsessing over this matter the Sphinx's came to a new order that they would spread out and try to reconnect to the Elves no matter what the cost to them would be. in my understanding of them by talking with this Sphinx i merely stated that no matter how omnipotent you are even Gods tend to make mistakes. though she would smile to my kind words she and the rest of her kin were determined to see this through to the end. I could only wish her luck on her journey and hope it ends well. as for me I will continue to learn more about them if i can, And find out more of the traitor Sphinx. Such a being is a danger to everyone.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Look mostly like female humans though they all have cat like ears and sharper nails/claws, some even have tails or cat eyes.

Ecology and Habitats

Where ever the Agreian Elves call home.

Biological Cycle

After so long they turn to stone which will later reawaken into a living sphinx once again.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Can be found where Agreian Elves are.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Have extermlly good hearing as well as pretty decent eye sight and smell. Have a magical sense that lets them pick up on life as well.

Civilization and Culture

Common Etiquette Rules

Tend to be very polite.

Common Dress Code

The clothes the Agreian Elves made for them.

History

Use to live amongst themselves and only observed life to see what it did. However they started to spend more and more time amongst the Agreian Elves over other races and even starting showing them favor and helping them out. The elves of course started to worship them as gods as they were capable of seemingly impossible feats and the elves started to become dependent on the Sphinxes....However it wasn't till the Traitor Sphinx and the Fall of Agreia did the Sphinxes realize how precious the elves became to them.

Historical Figures

Traitor Sphinx-The sphinx that betrayed them all.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

View all life as precious however they like and get along with Agreian Elves better then others.

Scientific Name

Bawṭe ṛoṭeḍè

Average Height

36' to 66' tall