Merry crosses the threshold with deliberate calm, grey-green eyes sweeping the octagon’s corners for sarcophagi or hidden alcoves before settling on the immense sphinx. Bernard heels close, his deep chest rumbling a quiet note of warning, but Merry keeps one gloved hand raised in a placating gesture. Dust-laden air curls around them—warm, spiced, unmistakably the breath of this creature’s dominion—yet she remains statuesque, save for the faint twitch of a leonine tail.
Drawing a slow breath, Merry lets a wry half-smile crease his scarred features. “So,” he begins, voice edged with dry humor, “is this where you inform us the exit lies due north and we’re free to go—provided we can still tell north from nonsense?” He dips a respectful nod toward her regal brow. “We’ve followed your compass, collected your stationery, and survived your linen-wrapped welcoming committee. Care to enlighten us on the next stanza of this riddle, or must we continue composing the tale in suspense?” His tone remains light, but his posture betrays the surgical precision of a man ready to react the instant the sphinx’s silence turns to claws.
Merry meets the sphinx’s hard gaze without a blink, shoulders squared and voice as cool as the stone underfoot. “How would I know whether this was the lowest level?” He replies, tone edged with dry bite, “You suggest I’d be the architect? And you’ve yet to pose the riddle you claim we’re unready to answer—so forgive me if my silence has been less than enlightening.” He gestures lightly to the room around them, the compass at Poppy’s belt, the blank vellum tucked away. “You said we would meet again at the bottom, and the stair we just descended spirals farther than any before. Finding you here, logic suggests we’re close, if not there already. If anything it's you who's not holding up to your word.”
He keeps her eyes locked, one brow lifting in a faint, sardonic arc. “Since you’ve chosen to meet us here rather than in that fabled ‘lowest level,’ I can only assume you have something of import to share—or perhaps you simply missed my charming company. Either way, I’m listening.” Bernard rumbles at his heel, but Merry’s stance remains loose, ready, the scalpel at his wrist hidden yet poised should words fail and claws follow.
Merry’s barbed courtesy is more calculation than bravado: after trudging through corridor after corridor without the sphinx striking at any real chance, he’s judged that she values the game over their lives—at least for now. Knowing she wants them sharp enough to face a riddle but rattled enough to slip, he answers with a measured dose of sarcasm, both to probe her limits and to vent the strain this maze keeps tightening around his nerves. The sting in his words is less a challenge to her power and more a pressure-valve for his own, reminding himself—and, by extension, his unseen host—that he still has agency in this carefully staged test.
Poppy adds to this "Is it us who are not ready, or are you just not ready to ask it? Or maybe, it has already been asked on the vellum and we need more of your boxes before we can read it. But as Merry said, we are listening. Merry closer than you might expect" and she gives bardic inspiration to Merry.
As a Bonus Action, you can inspire another creature within 60 ft. that can see or hear you. That creature gains one of your Bardic Inspiration dice (1d6). Once within the next hour, when the creature fails a D20 Test, the creature can roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to the total, potentially turning the failure into a success.
Aulderoot is caught up in the spirit of anxiousness and raises his voice at the sphinx, “The time for fun has past you will share some knowledge now lest I take a serious tac at your forthcoming demise!”
Intimidation 23 (Aulderoot’s physical appearance is wavering…)
The sphinx bristles at your combined impertinence and threats. Looking at Merry, she gestures behind her, where a black tunnel fills the Eastern wall. “One more level remains.”
Glancing at Poppy, she sneers, “I am ready, but you are not.”
Then Fixing her deliberate stare now on Aulderoot, she adds, “Very well! Your impatience may cost you dear. If you want the question now, then I shall give it:
Merry exhales a sharp huff through his nose, a sound halfway between a scoff and weary laughter. “Brilliant—now we’re reduced to guessing a sphinx’s favorite word,” he mutters, voice thick with contempt for the capricious game. Deciding the creature has offered all she will, he slips sideways along the wall, fingertips brushing the seamless stone as he circles the octagon once more. His eyes rake the frieze for deviations, the corners for hidden alcoves, the floor for faint seams that might hint at yet another box or latch—but if the chamber proves as monolithic and empty as the others, save for the tunnel yawning black behind the sphinx, then, he proceeds to the back of the room. With a final clipped nod to the group, he straightens, lips pressed thin, ready to descend to the true “lowest level” where—if luck holds—the answer she so covets might finally reveal itself.
"Why thank you for that information." Merle steps up trying to defuse the situation a bit. "Now that we know the question we can begin trying to decipher its answer. We appreciate your willingness to work with us under these trying times." Merle starts to move as if he was moving on towards the next room. "We shall find you going this way, yes?"
After considering you all for an interminably long time..........
Just when things are about to get awkward and you're wondering if she's turning into a statue.....
She rears up on hind legs and gives an unnaturally long growl (not quite a ROAR as you heard previously) which nevertheless serves to agitate the air currents in this room. Motes of dust twinkling and spinning in the air serve to visualize the formation of two great wings spreading out from her back, greatly increasing her overall size and physical command of the room. Then, still in this pose, she commands loudly,
“Granted” Aulderoot says decisively. “One whom wishes longs to hear that one simple word.”
The sphinx laughs, showing her sharp teeth. It's an unpleasant barking laugh, not of mirth but of supremacy.
"WRONG -- now pay the price of your error!"
She gives another ROAR that fills the room with visceral, tangible sound, filling your senses, filling your minds with a blinding, paralyzing noise. As before, she seems to fuel this roar with her very material essence, like her corporeal self is pouring out of her mouth into that roar, and her body rapidly becomes translucent and fades away. But the air currents in the room, agitated by this exhale of magical energy, swirl and buffet all in the room, and then those winds coalesce into a form like an echo patterned after the sphinx that has just vanished. The winds harden into a physical shell in the shape of the sphinx, same size, but of smoother texture and blander, monochrome color, like a solid steel blue.
The sphinx's voice resolves into coherency as the roar echoes and diminishes. "Survive this, then find me at the lowest level. You will have one more chance to answer my question!"
The sphinx form of apparently solidified air postures before you, spreads its great wings, and clearly prepares to pounce into action!
Sphinx's initiative: 17
Roll your own initiatives! If needed, I can bot Cyreon's character for the time being (looking at their signature).
Bonus Action use Taunting Step Wis save DC 13 to teleport as far from the blue sphinx as he can, "Being wrong is the sting. I bear the mark of your claws. Now you can burn."
Taunting Step. Creatures within 5 feet of the space you left must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.
Reaction Hellish Rebuke Dec save DC 13 vs fire damage if saved 2 if failed add 7
Flames burst from Aulderoot and have a mild effect on the air-sphinx, leaving a few scorch marks on the otherwise blandly solid surface of its shape. But as he flickers away, out of the thing's immediate reach, the faceless head (too smooth to contain features of a face) turns in his direction and its entire bulk shifts as though planning another pounce at Aulderoot.
Round 1
16 Sphinx-form (2 damage taken) - leapt at and maimed Aulderoot
15 Aulderoot - slightly scorched sphinx, taunted it, teleported and moved further away
10 Merry & Merle -
6 Poppy -
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Merry crosses the threshold with deliberate calm, grey-green eyes sweeping the octagon’s corners for sarcophagi or hidden alcoves before settling on the immense sphinx. Bernard heels close, his deep chest rumbling a quiet note of warning, but Merry keeps one gloved hand raised in a placating gesture. Dust-laden air curls around them—warm, spiced, unmistakably the breath of this creature’s dominion—yet she remains statuesque, save for the faint twitch of a leonine tail.
Drawing a slow breath, Merry lets a wry half-smile crease his scarred features. “So,” he begins, voice edged with dry humor, “is this where you inform us the exit lies due north and we’re free to go—provided we can still tell north from nonsense?” He dips a respectful nod toward her regal brow. “We’ve followed your compass, collected your stationery, and survived your linen-wrapped welcoming committee. Care to enlighten us on the next stanza of this riddle, or must we continue composing the tale in suspense?” His tone remains light, but his posture betrays the surgical precision of a man ready to react the instant the sphinx’s silence turns to claws.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The sphinx fixes her stern gaze on you, Merry, and says coldly,
“This is not yet the lowest level. You are not yet ready to answer my question.”
Merry meets the sphinx’s hard gaze without a blink, shoulders squared and voice as cool as the stone underfoot. “How would I know whether this was the lowest level?” He replies, tone edged with dry bite, “You suggest I’d be the architect? And you’ve yet to pose the riddle you claim we’re unready to answer—so forgive me if my silence has been less than enlightening.” He gestures lightly to the room around them, the compass at Poppy’s belt, the blank vellum tucked away. “You said we would meet again at the bottom, and the stair we just descended spirals farther than any before. Finding you here, logic suggests we’re close, if not there already. If anything it's you who's not holding up to your word.”
He keeps her eyes locked, one brow lifting in a faint, sardonic arc. “Since you’ve chosen to meet us here rather than in that fabled ‘lowest level,’ I can only assume you have something of import to share—or perhaps you simply missed my charming company. Either way, I’m listening.” Bernard rumbles at his heel, but Merry’s stance remains loose, ready, the scalpel at his wrist hidden yet poised should words fail and claws follow.
Merry’s barbed courtesy is more calculation than bravado: after trudging through corridor after corridor without the sphinx striking at any real chance, he’s judged that she values the game over their lives—at least for now. Knowing she wants them sharp enough to face a riddle but rattled enough to slip, he answers with a measured dose of sarcasm, both to probe her limits and to vent the strain this maze keeps tightening around his nerves. The sting in his words is less a challenge to her power and more a pressure-valve for his own, reminding himself—and, by extension, his unseen host—that he still has agency in this carefully staged test.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Poppy adds to this "Is it us who are not ready, or are you just not ready to ask it? Or maybe, it has already been asked on the vellum and we need more of your boxes before we can read it. But as Merry said, we are listening. Merry closer than you might expect" and she gives bardic inspiration to Merry.
As a Bonus Action, you can inspire another creature within 60 ft. that can see or hear you. That creature gains one of your Bardic Inspiration dice (1d6). Once within the next hour, when the creature fails a D20 Test, the creature can roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to the total, potentially turning the failure into a success.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Aulderoot is caught up in the spirit of anxiousness and raises his voice at the sphinx, “The time for fun has past you will share some knowledge now lest I take a serious tac at your forthcoming demise!”
Intimidation 23 (Aulderoot’s physical appearance is wavering…)
The sphinx bristles at your combined impertinence and threats. Looking at Merry, she gestures behind her, where a black tunnel fills the Eastern wall. “One more level remains.”
Glancing at Poppy, she sneers, “I am ready, but you are not.”
Then Fixing her deliberate stare now on Aulderoot, she adds, “Very well! Your impatience may cost you dear. If you want the question now, then I shall give it:
“Tell me the one word I wish to hear!”
"Why the one word you wish to hear is the answer to your riddle. As for what that word is, you will hear it on the final level."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Merry exhales a sharp huff through his nose, a sound halfway between a scoff and weary laughter. “Brilliant—now we’re reduced to guessing a sphinx’s favorite word,” he mutters, voice thick with contempt for the capricious game. Deciding the creature has offered all she will, he slips sideways along the wall, fingertips brushing the seamless stone as he circles the octagon once more. His eyes rake the frieze for deviations, the corners for hidden alcoves, the floor for faint seams that might hint at yet another box or latch—but if the chamber proves as monolithic and empty as the others, save for the tunnel yawning black behind the sphinx, then, he proceeds to the back of the room. With a final clipped nod to the group, he straightens, lips pressed thin, ready to descend to the true “lowest level” where—if luck holds—the answer she so covets might finally reveal itself.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
"Why thank you for that information." Merle steps up trying to defuse the situation a bit. "Now that we know the question we can begin trying to decipher its answer. We appreciate your willingness to work with us under these trying times." Merle starts to move as if he was moving on towards the next room. "We shall find you going this way, yes?"
After considering you all for an interminably long time..........
Just when things are about to get awkward and you're wondering if she's turning into a statue.....
She rears up on hind legs and gives an unnaturally long growl (not quite a ROAR as you heard previously) which nevertheless serves to agitate the air currents in this room. Motes of dust twinkling and spinning in the air serve to visualize the formation of two great wings spreading out from her back, greatly increasing her overall size and physical command of the room. Then, still in this pose, she commands loudly,
"Speak your answer, and quickly!"
“Granted” Aulderoot says decisively. “One whom wishes longs to hear that one simple word.”
The sphinx laughs, showing her sharp teeth. It's an unpleasant barking laugh, not of mirth but of supremacy.
"WRONG -- now pay the price of your error!"
She gives another ROAR that fills the room with visceral, tangible sound, filling your senses, filling your minds with a blinding, paralyzing noise. As before, she seems to fuel this roar with her very material essence, like her corporeal self is pouring out of her mouth into that roar, and her body rapidly becomes translucent and fades away. But the air currents in the room, agitated by this exhale of magical energy, swirl and buffet all in the room, and then those winds coalesce into a form like an echo patterned after the sphinx that has just vanished. The winds harden into a physical shell in the shape of the sphinx, same size, but of smoother texture and blander, monochrome color, like a solid steel blue.
The sphinx's voice resolves into coherency as the roar echoes and diminishes. "Survive this, then find me at the lowest level. You will have one more chance to answer my question!"
The sphinx form of apparently solidified air postures before you, spreads its great wings, and clearly prepares to pounce into action!
Sphinx's initiative: 17
Roll your own initiatives! If needed, I can bot Cyreon's character for the time being (looking at their signature).
Merle init: 10
Merry Init 10
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Poppy init 6 (I broke the pattern!)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Aulderoot rolls a 15 for initiative
The steel blue sphinx-form pounces towards him who gave the wrong answer, teeth bared, claws flashing.
Bite Attack: 19 Damage: 10
Claws: Attack: 19 Damage: 11
Round 1
16 Sphinx-form - leapt at and maimed Aulderoot
15 Aulderoot -
10 Merry & Merle -
6 Poppy -
Aulderoot is taken completely by surprise not only by having given what he thought was an obvious answer but then by the sheer hostility in response,
Action Dodge
Bonus Action use Taunting Step Wis save DC 13 to teleport as far from the blue sphinx as he can, "Being wrong is the sting. I bear the mark of your claws. Now you can burn."
Taunting Step. Creatures within 5 feet of the space you left must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.
Reaction Hellish Rebuke Dec save DC 13 vs fire damage if saved 2 if failed add 7
Move further away...
end of turn.
wisdom save for taunting step: 11
dex save for hellish rebuke: 20
Flames burst from Aulderoot and have a mild effect on the air-sphinx, leaving a few scorch marks on the otherwise blandly solid surface of its shape. But as he flickers away, out of the thing's immediate reach, the faceless head (too smooth to contain features of a face) turns in his direction and its entire bulk shifts as though planning another pounce at Aulderoot.
Round 1
16 Sphinx-form (2 damage taken) - leapt at and maimed Aulderoot
15 Aulderoot - slightly scorched sphinx, taunted it, teleported and moved further away
10 Merry & Merle -
6 Poppy -