The hieracosphinx (pronounced: /hɪərˈɑːkoʊsfɪŋks/ heer-AK-o-sfinks[2]) was one variation of a sphinx. They were an evil, savage and animal-intelligent hawk-headed sphinx.[3]
Sphinxes were enigmatic creatures with great, feathery wings and leonine bodies. All sphinxes were territorial, but the more intelligent ones could differentiate between deliberate intrusion and temporary or inadvertent trespassing.
Sphinxes spoke Sphinx, Common, and Draconic.
Description
A typical sphinx was about 10 feet (3 meters)long and weighed about 800 pounds (363 kg).
Reputation
Hieracosphinxes were a favored monster of the orcish god Ilneval.[4]
Combat
Most sphinxes fought on the ground, using their wings to help them pounce much as lions do. If outnumbered by earthbound creatures, a sphinx took wing and attacked on the fly.
Hieracosphinxes could make short work of even the most dangerous opponents with their claws. They were not particularly intelligent, but were cunning enough to dive at their enemies from above with their flying ability.[5]
Appendix
Further reading
Johnathan M. Richards (February 1998). “The Ecology of the Sphinx”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #244 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 84–89.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 232, 234. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 26.
- ↑ “Sphinx (Dungeons & Dragons).” Wikipedia. Accessed: 1 Jun. 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)>.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 12. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ “Monsters: Sahuagin – Swarm.” d20 System Reference Document v3.5. Wizards of the Coast. Accessed: 1 Jun. 2011 <http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/resources/systems/pennpaper/dnd35/soveliorsage/monstersS.html#hieracosphinx> (WebCite Archive).