"Oh, my," the sphinx intoned dryly, looking up at the adventurers with a deadpan expression. "You guessed right. How unexpected."
The creature didn't even try to go back to its usual regal demeanor as it groped backwards for its usual prize and shoved it toward the patients. It was a miniature shield made of silver and engraved with unknown markings.
"This is the Coliseum Shield," the sphinx said, and though his tone probably should have been solemn, it instead came off as a sarcastic recitation. "I have handed out many, many versions of it in my long days, but I have yet to hear of a man, woman, or child for whom it has brought nothing but misery.
"There is nothing evil about the artifact itself, but where it will take you is certainly a place of death and despair. Of course, I'm sure you'll go there anyway, so here are your directions:
"In the ballroom, you might have noticed a door to the south--one of such intricacy that it either repulses or entices all who see it. That is the door to the Coliseum, and should you find the partner to this artifact in the east end of this basement, you will find yourself able to enter so long as you are willing to make a sacrifice. Should you survive the trials within, from which many venture but few return... You will be able to proceed further into the bowels of this Institute. And, perhaps, bother other creations of the man upstairs."
The sphinx sighed as he settled back down again, obviously making a conscious effort to calm himself.
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The creature didn't even try to go back to its usual regal demeanor as it groped backwards for its usual prize and shoved it toward the patients. It was a miniature shield made of silver and engraved with unknown markings.
"This is the Coliseum Shield," the sphinx said, and though his tone probably should have been solemn, it instead came off as a sarcastic recitation. "I have handed out many, many versions of it in my long days, but I have yet to hear of a man, woman, or child for whom it has brought nothing but misery.
"There is nothing evil about the artifact itself, but where it will take you is certainly a place of death and despair. Of course, I'm sure you'll go there anyway, so here are your directions:
"In the ballroom, you might have noticed a door to the south--one of such intricacy that it either repulses or entices all who see it. That is the door to the Coliseum, and should you find the partner to this artifact in the east end of this basement, you will find yourself able to enter so long as you are willing to make a sacrifice. Should you survive the trials within, from which many venture but few return... You will be able to proceed further into the bowels of this Institute. And, perhaps, bother other creations of the man upstairs."
The sphinx sighed as he settled back down again, obviously making a conscious effort to calm himself.
"Hmph. That's all."
He closed his eyes and went still.