Sphinx of Secrets
Monster Manual (2025) p. 292
- Size
- Large
- Type
- celestial
- Alignment
- lawful neutral
- AC
- 16
- Initiative
- 5
- Hit Points
- 136 (16d10+48)
- Speed
- walk 40 ft., fly 60 ft.
- Skills
- History +7, Perception +7, Religion +7
- Resistances
- necrotic, radiant
- Immunities
- psychic
- Condition Immunities
- charmed, frightened
- Senses
- truesight 60 ft.
- Passive Perception
- 17
- Languages
- Celestial, Common
- Challenge
- 8
- Lineage
- Sphinx
- Environment
- desert, planar (upper)
Traits
Proficiency Bonus
+3
Treasure
Arcana: The monster's treasure hoard features magic items with the noted theme. The Dungeon Master's Guide details treasure hoards appropriate for each theme.
Inscrutable
No magic can observe the sphinx remotely or detect its thoughts without its permission. Wisdom (Insight) checks made to ascertain its intentions or sincerity are made with Disadvantage.
Magic Resistance
The sphinx has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Multiattack
The sphinx makes three Claw attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Curses of the Riddle.
Claw
Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) Slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) Radiant damage.
Curse of the Riddle
Intelligence Saving Throw: DC 15, one creature the sphinx can see within 60 feet. Failure: 21 (6d6) Psychic damage, and the target is cursed with a riddle. The cursed target has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls. In addition, if it takes the Magic action, it must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or that action is wasted. The cursed target can take a Study action to make a DC 15 Intelligence check, solving the riddle and ending the curse on a success. The curse ends early if the sphinx curses another target.
Spellcasting
The sphinx casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15):
- At will: Detect Magic, Identify, Prestidigitation
- 1/day each: Locate Object, Remove Curse
Legendary Actions
Sphinx Lairs Categoría: lair
Sphinxes typically dwell in places that hold great knowledge or prophetic magic. The region containing a sphinx of lore's or sphinx of valor's lair is altered by its presence, creating the following effects:
Distant Sight: While in its lair, the sphinx can cast Clairvoyance, requiring no spell components and using the same spellcasting ability as its Spellcasting action. When cast this way, the spell's range is 1 mile.
Infusion of Knowledge: Whenever the sphinx or one of its allies takes a Study action while within 1 mile of the lair, it adds 1d6 to any ability check it makes for that action.
If the sphinx dies or moves its lair elsewhere, these effects end immediately.
Spells
Clairvoyance [5.5e], Detect Magic [5.5e], Identify [5.5e], Prestidigitation [5.5e], Locate Object [5.5e], Remove Curse [5.5e]
Other data
description
Sphinxes protect the secrets of the multiverse. Formed from the spirits of sages and explorers, sphinxes know the power of truth and the importance of preserving it. They share their wisdom only with those who prove themselves wise or overcome tests of worthiness, such as riddles or battles with dangerous beasts. Through their existences, sphinxes might change form as they gain more nuanced understanding of cosmic enigmas.
Sphinx of Secrets: Sphinxes of secrets are commonly associated with a site of great magic or learning. These immortal beings often outlive such locations, though, and might protect a site's ruins as they continue their own studies. Sphinxes of secrets fiercely guard their dwellings and research.