Sphinxes

Sphinxes are a mysterious race, the origins of which are not entirely known. Some scholars believe that they hail from The Fargone City, which would explain their strange connection to Tieflings. Others believe them to be creations of Borgarhe, one of their most accepted gods, Bahamut, The Swordsman, or even Tiamat or Serrenti as the guardians of their treasures. A large number of sphinxes revere Quetzalcoatl through worship of Borgarhe or otherwise.
Despite their origins, most Sphinxes serve particular gods to guard treasures. There is not a specific rule to determine who a Sphinx serves, although Borgarhe is probably their most accepted god, followed probably by Bahamut. They an be guarding anything from weapons to books, and although it is often revealed by the sphinx or generally known what the Sphinx guards, it is sometimes a mystery or even the answer to one of the sphinx's riddles. Sphinx's only allow their treasures to be borrowed or taken if the potential user of such treasures proves themselves, either through answering a puzzle or riddle or in some other way proving their strength. These puzzles can take place in other planes of existence, or even in different times or with different ages, depending on the sphinx's fancy. A sphinx is bound to a specific location to guard treasure until such treasure is taken by another creature, the Sphinx is slain, or the sphinx finds a way to break itself free (see "Fallen Sphinxes" below).
Alternatively, a sphinx might be told to interfere with mortal affairs that get out of control. These sphinxes often either were not guarding a treasure in the first place, or are replaced by a chosen champion or other sphinx of their god's choice. If the sphinx is slain or does not return, the chosen champion will not age while it guards the treasures, which can result in them staying there for eternity, much more likely to go crazy than a sphinx.

Fallen Sphinxes

Some sphinxes will abandon the god that placed them at their post, either becoming weary from the ages, getting influenced by other entities, or growing power hungry. A sphinx that abandons its god usually still can not leave by the magic that binds it there, but can ask its supplicants to search out a way to free it, usually by deceiving another creature to become the watcher of its treasures for all eternity.

Two Types

There are two types of Sphinxes.

Androsphinx

An androsphinx appears to be male with a male head and larger, muscular body. It is the favored sphinx type of Borgarhe, Serrenti, Bahamut, and other gods who rely more on strength and worth than otherwise. Androsphinxes are often gruff and rude on the outside, insulting those who search for their treasures, but are noble at their core. It has a terrible roar that can terrify, deafen, paralyze, or blast those who hear it to smithereens. They test strength, valor, and courage more than anything and might reward success with a Heroes Feast.

Gynosphinx

Gynosphinxes appear as female and are much more mysterious than Androsphinxes, speaking in riddles and not revealing their full intentions. They are the favored sphinx type of Letchia, Gordoth, Azuth, Quetzalcoatl, and other gods who would guard knowledge or prefer cleverness to brute force.

Sphinxes and Tieflings

Sphinxes have a natural connection to Tieflings, which some scholars believe to be a product of their heritage and shared supposed origin from The Fargone City. All Tieflings and Sphinxes have the natural ability to sense the presence of an individual of the other race within 1 mile, although neither can ascertain the location of the other. While sensing the other in this way and within 120 feet, each race has the ability to speak telepathically with the other, and all Tieflings ignore the Sphinx's immunity to the frightened condition.