SMW Subobject for NormalNPC location: SophanemIs members only: trueIs variant of: SphinxLeague Region: DesertNPC ID: 4209Release date: 26 April 2005Image: File:Sphinx.pngUses infobox: NPCExamine: An awe inspiring combination of a lady, a lion and an eagle.
SMW Subobject for A Tail of Two CatsNPC location: SophanemIs members only: trueIs variant of: SphinxLeague Region: DesertNPC ID: 2637Release date: 26 September 2005Image: File:Sphinx.pngUses infobox: NPCExamine: An awe inspiring combination of a lady, a lion and an eagle.
The Sphinx is a mysterious feline creature found in Sophanem. She is involved in several quests involving cats.
The Sphinx is the guardian of feline kind.[1] She was given this role by the godIcthlarin and in return Icthlarin granted her a conditional form of immortality. As long as the Sphinx continues protecting cats, she will not die.[2] She is utterly concerned with preserving her eternal life, dedicating her entire existence to her task. She has little time for conversation and does not care about humans, their gods or beliefs. As the Sphinxs puts it, "I am an agent of neither good nor evil. I am unconcerned with the plight of mankind and their petty wars and beliefs."[3][4]
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Trivia
The characteristics of the Sphinx are a blend of Egyptian and Greek mythology. In the legend of Oedipus the Sphinx would ask passers by riddles and if they answered incorrectly the Sphinx would strangle and consume them.
In the Wise Old Man's house, he has a golden statue of a sphinx on his bookcase. This may mean he too has spoken to the sphinx and received an approval token off of her. When the player asks him about his life, he will mention that he visited Sophanem and purchased the statue as a souvenir. After he is asked if he has spoken to the Sphinx, he replies that the Sphinx is simply a tall tale and does not exist, though the player will protest that it does. This can only happen after one has completed Icthlarin's Little Helper.
If the player speaks with Bob the Jagex Cat while wearing a Catspeak amulet, Bob will refer to the Sophanem sphinxes. This implies that there are or were more than one sphinx.
If you talk to the Sphinx after Icthlarin's Little Helper, with a cat with you, and select "I need help with the devourer", she will eventually say that she was impressed with your actions and says that she may have work for you at a later date, meaning that there may be another cat oriented quest.
The Sphinx tells the player when asked about Icthlarin that he once was worshipped by Mahjarrat, but they left him for Zamorak, although she then says it may have actually been Zaros but it was so long ago that it doesn't really matter.
In the original description of the Great Sphinx of Giza, it is supposedly the head of a man (which is to represent the face of Pharaoh Khafre) with a body of a lion, as well as many Egyptian mythologies. In RuneScape, Greek Mythology and most other media, the Sphinx is portrayed as female instead.
^Sphinx in Icthlarin's little helper. Old School RuneScape. "I ensure the survival of cats. For this service, Icthlarin grants me eternal life. [...] I look after my kind. For that, Icthlarin looks after me."
^Neite. Old School RuneScape. "She is normally too wrapped up in preserving her immortality to be making conversation. [...] because her immortality is based on the fact that she keeps us cats safe. Her whole existence is dedicated to protecting us."
^Sphinx in Icthlarin's little helper. Old School RuneScape. "I am an agent of neither good nor evil. I am unconcerned with the plight of mankind and their petty wars and beliefs. [...] As I've said before, I have no interest in humans and their gods"
Desert✓
