D&D (2024) PHB 2024 Creature Reveal: Sphinx of Wonder

[Henadic Theologian]

Apparently Sphinxes are Celestials now and there is a CR1 Celestial called Sphinx of Wonder with gorgeous art (basically look like a cross between a Tressym and Peacock, but more cosmic), that Warlocks can pick as a familiar. Also Sphinxes are called out as Celestial Patrons for Warlocks. Hits hard too. Apparently there are other new Warlock Familiars as well.

The change to Sphinx's creature type fits the given lore so much better.

 

[Sulicius]

Here's the new stat block layout.

 

[TerraDave]

That is a really good sidekick.

 

[Yaarel]

Egypt actually has two kinds of "sphinx". Both are representations of the Pharaoh − the head is always the head of this king.

The famous sphinx, such as the one in the Giza complex, is the "reclining" sphinx. This is the body of a lion, and is the Pharaoh as relaxed, empowered, and secure.

The other kind of Egyptian sphinx is standing on all fours, and with falcon wings. This kind of sphinx is the body of a leopard (or panther). Here the Pharaoh is present as a fierce and mobile warrior.

Wherever a sphinx is, the pharaoh is magically present, so there can be many.

Here is an example of the striding sphinx from Tutankhamun. The wings are folded and appear here decoratively. Elsewhere the wings spread. This one has black fur, other examples have spotted fur. Examples of the winged sphinx are as early as the Intermediate 2 Period.

Here is a scarab where Pharaoh Thutmose 3 appears as a sphinx, with wings clearly extending. Note the slim body of the leopard.

Here is a female winged sphinx often identified as Queen Tiye, the wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep 3, from the 1300s BCE.

(Pharaoh Hatshepsut from the 1400s BCE has depictions of herself on sphinxes, but she presents herself as male, with the pharaonic beard in her iconography.)


There are examples of Canaanite sphinxes, which appear to be the same thing as the Egyptian winged sphinx.


Definitely the D&D Sphinx should be Celestial.

 

[Leatherhead]

The formatting bones seem easier to parse so far, but this monster isn't particularly complicated to begin with. I would really have to see something complex to get a better grasp on everything.

Though it is worth noting that apparently the PHB monsters don't have much if any lore next to them. Shouldn't be an issue for beasts, but it's kind of weird to omit that kind of thing for an entirely new monster.

 

[Minigiant]

I love the inclusion of saves and skills as it tells all DMs that monsters might add their PBs to some of them.

I like the Sphinxes going from Monstrosity to Celestial as it further build on the idea of various afterlife's and divine domains

In my setting, I have gods that I can lightly paint with Egyptian mythology easily.

 

[Thommy H-H]

Egypt actually has two kinds of "sphinx". Both are representations of the Pharaoh − the head is always the head of this king.

(It would make sense to have a womans head when the pharaoh is a queen, but I am unaware of an archeological example. Hatshepsut has depictions of herself on sphinxes, but she presents herself as male, with the pharaonic beard in her iconography.)

The famous sphinx, such as the one in the Giza complex, is the "reclining" sphinx. This is the body of a lion, and is the Pharaoh as relaxed, empowered, and secure.

The other kind of Egyptian sphinx is standing on all fours, and with falcon wings. This kind of sphinx is the body of a leopard (or panther). Here the Pharaoh as a fierce and mobile warrior.

Wherever a sphinx is, the pharaoh is magically present, so there can be many.

Here is an example of the striding sphinx from Tutankhamun. The wings are folded and appear here decoratively. Elsewhere the wings spread. This one has black fur, other examples have spotted fur. Examples of the winged sphinx are as early as the Intermediate 2 Period.

View attachment 368357


Here is a scarab where Pharaoh Thutmose 3 appears as a sphinx, with wings clearly extending. Note the slim body of the leopard.

View attachment 368359


There are examples of Canaanite sphinxes, which appear to be the same thing as the Egyptian winged sphinx.


Definitely the D&D Sphinx should be Celestial.

The D&D sphinx is closer to the sphinx of Greek mythology though - that's the one with the riddles and stuff. While it probably stems from a common source in the Near East (hence its similarity to quasi-divine Mesopotamian creatures like the lammasu and the shedu), the history of the Egyptian "sphinxes" is less clear. The Great Sphinx in Giza, for example, was only called that by Greek (in the broader sense of the Hellenized Mediterranean world) writers when it was rediscovered millennia after being built, because it vaguely resembled a creature from their own mythology. We now associate it with Egypt because of that, but most of the traits it possesses in fantasy fiction are from the Greek version. So I don't think we need get hung up on the accuracy of the sphinx with regard to Egyptian iconography!

 

[Yaarel]

The D&D sphinx is closer to the sphinx of Greek mythology though - that's the one with the riddles and stuff. While it probably stems from a common source in the Near East (hence its similarity to quasi-divine Mesopotamian creatures like the lammasu and the shedu), the history of the Egyptian "sphinxes" is less clear. The Great Sphinx in Giza, for example, was only called that by Greek (in the broader sense of the Hellenized Mediterranean world) writers when it was rediscovered millennia after being built, because it vaguely resembled a creature from their own mythology. We now associate it with Egypt because of that, but most of the traits it possesses in fantasy fiction are from the Greek version. So I don't think we need get hung up on the accuracy of the sphinx with regard to Egyptian iconography!

There are different kinds of sphinxes in D&D. One of the species of sphinx can more closely model the African one, the original one from Egypt.

The Greek word "sphinx" arguably derives from the Egyptian term shesepankh, meaning "living image".

The angel that is called a "kruv" in the Bible (called "cherub" in English) is likely the Egyptian winged sphinx. Namely the one associating with the ark. The concept is, the multiple kruvim represent the ubiquitous divine presence as a warrior. It likewise functions as a guardian.

 

[aco175]

Anyone else see the title and thought about this guy:

AWK, Sphinx of Wonder.

Anyone not think it now.

 

[Weiley31]

A new meow meow!!!