“If we ‘ad t’ try each o’ th’se toonels, would we ha’ t’ do this rigmarole all over ag’in?” Twist asks in a grumpy voice, flinging the brush down.

"Well, you have all been very polite and I've not had a grooming in ages so we can forgo the chit chat if you wish. I'm afraid I can't do anything about having to answer the riddles though. If you wish, since you have been good company, you can choose to answer them all now. But know that they will all be asked and answered at once." She looks pensive as if not sure how to continue "You see, while you are near me, time has little meaning. So even though it may seem to you that you are answering them all one at a time, that won't be the case. As far as the symbols are concerned you will be answering them instantaneously. Therefor should your answers be incorrect, the consequences will be instantaneous from any you get wrong as well."

"I'm sorry if I didn't explain that well. Usually I make people answer them one at a time and as you say, go through the rigmarole each time. But usually those who come here are less interested in being cordial so I will make an exception"

"Although before we begin your other friend will have to conquer his fear and join us" She says with a grin

Hearing all this, Jak sighs dramatically, replacing the longbow on his back as he rounds the corner. "For the record," he says, approaching the pile of bones and waiting for the sphinx to allow him forward. "I was not afraid. I was simply...trusting in the capability of my companions. From a distance. A safe, completely uncowardly distance."

She welcomes Jak forward "Indeed, Prudence is often a wise course. Please join us. I trust you have heard what's been said"

Jak nods as he approaches, keeping the much bulkier Brocc between himself and the Sphinx. "I must admit, riddles are not exactly my forte. But if it stops us from having to tangle with one so clearly magnificent as yourself, than we clearly have little choice." He looks over the runes themselves as he speaks, doing his best to make heads or tails of them. (Arcana check 5)

Etrusca nods "I would agree the riddles are the better choice. I will give you all time to confer among yourselves once the riddle is asked. Just let me know when you all agree an the answer and you'll find out quickly if you are correct."

Jak, you're unable to decipher anything about the symbols.

"That so? Well then, I see no reason to wait! Each path is likely just as a dangerous as the other, I do dare say. So, it's clear that we should start with the 'right' one, to best handle any trouble afoot in the remaining stretches of this terribly interesting and terrible terrible place. Hn! Quite so." Brocc declares with a grin over the word play. "So, what is this riddle of yours for the right most path, my dear Lady. I am rather eager to cut my proverbial tongue, no, teeth upon what shall be a most rousing dance of tongue and mind. Hm! Hm! Quite." He declared happily, eager to press on as always.

"Yes very good. Your eagerness is understandable. The first riddle is this..." She then speaks in a melodious voice with perfect diction as if she's spoken this riddle many times

"My creator wants me not,
And much in dread will I be bought.
My cold embrace is fiercely fought,
Most all who need me know it not." 

Jak perks up immediately. "Oh!I believe I know this one! It's a coffin, isn't it?" He looks to the Sphinx expectantly.

“Brilliant!” Synonym says. “Aye, a flash in a pan me boyo!” Twist adds cheerily.

She smiles at Jak "And here you were saying you weren't good at riddles. Very good. A coffin is the answer. You see Keraptis isn't as clever as he thinks by half. I'm sure you'll all do fine with the rest of the mountain. Do you wish to confine and answer the other riddles or are you confident what you seek lies down that path?"

Doing his best not to look too smug, Jak turns to his companions. "It may help to clear the other paths now, on the chance we need to make a hasty retreat down another hallway." He turns back to the Sphinx. "You said before that you would allow us time to confer amongst ourselves after you asked your riddles. Is there anything binding you to retaliate against us should we not answer after a certain time period? Or could you simply ask your riddles, then allow us to continue down the pathway we've already cleared and answer when we return?" He smirks " It would certainly be a thorn in Keraptis' side if you were to bend his rules as much as possible."

"A'ter all," Twist added encouragingly, "ye moost 'ave some sort o' discretion." Ending with a win. "Oim thinkin' 'twould be a fain thin' t' jes get it all doon at one time. Which brings me t' anoother point Etrusca, what 'appens t' ye when all th' riddles is answered correctly?  D' ye go poof?  Feast on th' riddlers?" He shook his head.  "It would be a tearing shame if you were doomed to remain here for the rest of time. I can't see that being possible.  As Twist said, he does sometimes come up with interesting ideas, the idea that there would be anything to guard after we are done is kind of moot, wouldn't you say?"  Symon smiled.

Brocc is surprisingly quiet. After the first riddle gets solved -- much to his personal chargin, seeing as he was enjoying running through the mental list of possible answers -- something else nagged at his thoughts even more so. "... Maybe..." He mutters to himself while tugging at his beard. Eventually, he shakes himself from his thoughts to ask, "Might the riddles also pertain to what we may find down the path? Or is this a secret you are bound to keep, my good Lady?" He simply asked, still half lost in thought to chide anyone else at the moment. That, and not really oppose the idea of answering more riddles.

"Hmm. Many questions. Where should I begin" She says while lifting a rear paw to scratch under her wing. "I truly don't know if the answer to the riddles has anything to do with what you seek. I suppose it's possible but seems a little to straightforward for Keraptis. The answer to the other two questions are related. It has to do with time. You can take as much time as you'd like to answer. If you wish to sit here with me for 100 years I could make it so that not a moment has passed in the outside world when you leave. So it makes no difference to me how much time you take to answer. As to me having nothing left to guard should you find what you seek, well that's a bit more complicated, but just because it seems to you that you have found something first, doesn't make it so. There are two other groups searching. I assumed you knew that there were 3 groups assembled. One to find each of the weapons. I do find it very charming that you wish to help me leave this place but saying 'remaining here for the rest of time' has little meaning here"

“Could ye be tellin’ us whither th’ other folk ‘ave gone off to?” Twist asks. “Thet’s s’pposin’ they’s passed through already, o’ course.  Will ye be able t’ tell folk which way which folk went?  Toonel number one, Toonel number two, er toonel number t’ree?  Thet sort o’ thin’?”

She shakes her head "For all practical purposes you are the first to come and while you are here it will remain that way."

Brocc raises a brow at that last statement. "So in other words, timey wimey nonsense. Hmph! Interesting. If it were possible, I would like to pick your brains on the subject, as I've admittedly not have as many opportunities to explore the field personally -- only dabbled really, as the mood fit me at times. Mn, yes. Quite a lovely nugget that is." He waggles his mustache at the end there. "And so long as we do not have to answer more riddles if we should find ourselves coming through here again, let's just get them out of the way then and be done with it. Let's hear'em for the... north one first. And then the one on the far left, yes. Once the north one has been subsequently answered, and we have not perished horribly as a result."

She laughs "Yes, timey wimey nonsense. I like that! Perhaps that's how I'll explain it next time. So on to the next riddle...

Round she is, yet flat as a board,
Altar of the Lupine Lords,
Jewel on black velvet, pearl in the sea,
Unchanged but e’erchanging, eternally.