<img src="https://i.imgur.com/IamEUHS.jpg">
(set: $character to "unassigned")
(set: $character2 to "unassigned")
(set: $merciless to 0)
(set: $compassionate to 0)
You are a sphinx. Sphinx is your name, and also what you are. A being with the body of a large lion, the wings of an eagle, the tail of a serpent, and the face of a human woman.
[[>|sphinx]]You have sat on this spot as long as you can remember. It's a large rock next to the entrance of a great city, and your massive body halfway bars the entrance. Whoever wants to enter must walk beside you to get in. Nobody can enter without your permission.
[[>|permission]]It is very simple for a traveller to have your permission. They only have to answer a riddle.
[[Correctly.]]If they answer it, they can pass through and enter the city.
If not, you devour them.
It's an arrangement that benefits you, and the city too, you think. You have to eat, and your body has been immobile for so long, your wings so unused, that you're certain hunting prey is impossible.
And, after all, you provide a fair judgement. Almost every day, people come out, people get in. If they prove themselves.
[[They mostly do.]]
[[They mostly don't.]](set: $character to "compassionate")
You try to be merciful. The citizens and travellers accept you and fear you as a judge from the gods. You don't know if this is true, but their belief is certainly convenient. Yet everybody has their limits. If they decide enough was enough, they could kill you.
So you try to make it easy on them. The riddles you offer aren't challenging. Even a child could answer. You have a rule for yourself - never eat more than one traveller per month. And it will usually be old people, or people with a fidgety, untrustworthy look about them. Never children. Never youths.
[[It has worked so far.]](set: $character to "merciless")
There's no need to be merciful. You are always hungry. The citizens and travellers accept you and fear you as a judge from the gods. You don't know if this is true, but their belief is certainly convenient. And they have concidered that even if you eat a traveller once in a while, you are just as eager to eat soldiers from any invading armies. In fact, you have done so countless times. You are more useful to them alive than dead.
You always choose a difficult riddle. There's only one you have used so far, and it has worked perfectly. Nobody has been able to solve it. You wonder sometimes if your riddle has become famous, if anyone is right now puzzling it in their head, ready to come and give you the right answer. But nobody could really solve this riddle.
[[It has worked so far.]]You can see a traveller walking up the road to the city. It's a young woman in a ragged, dirty dress. She's leading a mule that's loaded with sacks.
As she comes closer you can see that she looks quite nervous. She's fidgeting and darting glances around.
(if: $character is "compassionate")[You feel sorry for her. She's probably terrified of you.]
(elseif: $character is "merciless")[What does she have to hide?]
The woman speaks in a thin, reedy voice."My lady...I wish to enter the city. I have barley to sell."
[[>|Woman]]You take a good look at the woman. (if: $character is "compassionate")[She is young, but thin. With your predator's instinct you know that she wouldn't make a good meal.] (elseif: $character is "merciless")[She doesn't have much meat on her bones, but she might make for a good snack.]
Your belly rumbles, and you think up a riddle for a bit. Then, in a booming voice, you say:
[["WHAT ARE TWO THINGS WITH WHICH YOU CAN NEVER BREAK YOUR FAST?"|Firsteasy]]
[["WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?"|Firsthard]](set: $compassionate to 1)The woman thinks for a bit, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Um...I would say....lunch, and supper?"
"CORRECT," you answer simply. "YOU ARE FREE TO ENTER THE CITY." You move your massive body to the side, and the girl walks in, after giving you a thousand thanks.
[[>|Oldman]](set: $merciless to 1)The woman's eyebrows shoot up in shock. Clearly she didn't expect such a difficult riddle. You unconsciouly lick your lips in anticipation, and she notices the gesture, letting out a small squeak.
"Um..." she says. Then she is silent, for the longest time.
It's almost a surprise to you when she turns on her heel abruptly and starts running away. Almost. You have seen people do it from time to time, but you wouldn't think the woman was brave enough. No matter. With a swipe of your gigantic lion's paw, you swipe her and swallow her whole. You can feel her screams revenberating pleasantly down your throat. "The answer is man," you say.
The mule looks at you placidly, and you smile at it. "Sorry about eating your mistress."
[[>|Oldman]]Later, another traveller comes by. This one is a very old man. He is hunched and stooped, and can barely stand on his feet, even with the help of a gnarled wooden cane. His clothes, however, are rich and sumptuous.
"Hail, Sphinx," he says, somewhat insolently in your opinion. Most travellers address you as "my lady." He must be one of the rare breed of human that does not fear you; either a noble, or a fool. Very often, after all, the two are the same.
"I await your riddle," he says calmly. And yet he makes no movement towards the city.
"YOU WISH TO ENTER?" you ask.
"No. I wish for a riddle. A very difficult one."
[["WHY WOULD YOU WISH FOR A RIDDLE, WHEN YOU HAVE NO WISH TO ENTER?"|Curious]]
[["VERY WELL." You try to think of the most challenging riddle you have.|Uncurious]](set: $character2 to "curious")The old man sighs. "I am a king," he says, "ruling over a kingdom you probably have never heard of. My many children and grandchildren have died one by one, some by illness, others by accident and some even by murder. I have avenged the ones that could be avenged, wept for the ones that could not. But I could not prevent their deaths."
"And yesterday, my queen, mother of all my children but one, took her own life after our youngest daughter died. I am old. My bones hurt when I lie in bed at night. I will leave no legacy, and my line will die with me. I wish to die with dignity, and only a sphinx is worthy of the honour of killing a king. So give me a riddle I cannot solve, and devour me. I would like to rest at last."
[[You decide to honour his wish with a challenging riddle. "WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?"|Secondhard]]
[[The human's reasoning offends you. He wishes to make a complicit executioner out of you, and you will be nobody's accomplice.|Secondeasy]]
(set: $character2 to "uncurious")(set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?" you intone.
The old man closes his eyes for a second, takes a deep breath, and opens them again. "I...do not know."
You reach for him calmly, pick him up, and devour him. "A man," you say as an afterthought.
[[>|Laius]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)The old man closes his eyes for a second, takes a deep breath, and opens them again. "I...do not know. Thank you, my lady."
You reach for him, pick him up as gently as you can manage, and devour him. "An asteroid," you say softly.
[[>|Laius]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)You smile at him before you say, "WHAT HAS CITIES, BUT NO HOUSES; FORESTS, BUT NO TREES; AND WATER, BUT NO FISH?" This is an easy riddle to solve, and you know a little bit about humans and their character. They may be small, and most of the time foolish, but they have something in common with you; honour. Nobles and men especially seem to be most concerned for their honour.
The old man grits his teeth. "A map, beast. I see you want to toy with me. I will not give you the pleasure." He turns on his heel and leaves, looking more hunched over than when he arrived.
You were right. A king's honour would compel him to tell the truth, even to his own detriment. This king's honour, at least. The satisfaction you get from having bested him makes up for the insult he paid you.
[[>|Laius]]The next day, there is a fuss from within the city gates. People plead with you to move, so the king may pass. (if: (history:) contains "Curious")[You are somewhat amused at the thought of possibly meeting two kings at such a short span of time.](else:)[The kings of humanity never interested you. They are as weak before your jaws as the rest of them, after all.]
You move your giant body somewhat, and look at the procession. The king must be the man with the luxurious-looking tunic and cloak. He sits on a magnificent white horse. There are other men around him, and you assume they are soldiers and guardians. But an entire crowd has come out to bid the king goodbye and pray for his safe return.
(if: $character2 is "curious")[A woman is standing very close to you, and you feel enough curiousity to ask. "IS THE KING GOING TO WAR?"
She seems somewhat startled to be addressed by you, but recovers quickly enough. "No, my lady. He goes to the Oracle. He has received a dire prophecy, you see. That his own son will kill him." She shudders in fear.
You remember killing your own mother when you were younger, because you needed to feed. But such an act must be anathema to humans.](else:)[You turn your head away and wait for the annoying din to cease. Soon enough it does, and you rest and resume your eternal wait.]
[[>|Soldier]]A small troop of men walks up to you. You take a good look at them. Their looks are disparate, in age and colouring. Only one thing they have in common. Their dress includes the ragged remains of leather armour.
One of them bows to you, and in return you incline your head politely. He seems to carry himself with authority around the rest, as they clutter around him. "We wish to enter. We are soldiers, returning to our homes from a long war."
In cases of groups of travellers, you have determined that there are two ways to go about your mission; either one of them speaks, and is automatically appointed to answer the riddle correctly or perish; the success or failure determines whether the group will enter.
Or, you put a riddle to each in the group. You devour the ones who give you wrong answers, and let the ones that gave you right answers pass.
[[You decide to be merciful. You are somewhat fond of the soldiers of this city. Often men like them have fought at your side, defending their homeland. Only their leader will face the riddle.|Soldiercompassionate3]]
[[You see no reason to spare them. Each man will face a riddle.|Soldiermerciless]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)"WHAT HAS A NECK, BUT NO HEAD?" you intone.
The soldier laughs. "Oh, I know that one. An amphora! You went easy on us this time!" They all start laughing now.
"SERVES ME RIGHT, FOR HAVING MERCY ON YOU," you grumble.
"My apologies, my lady," he says with a respectful bow. "And thank you for having mercy on us." They all walk through the gate, chatting happily to each other now that the tension is broken.
[[>|Sisters]]"EACH MAN AMONGST YOU," you say, "WILL BE TESTED. ANSWER MY RIDDLES AND YOU ARE FREE TO RETURN."
Some of them say nothing, resigned to their fate. They know you are implacable. Some others protest. They are citizens, they say. They have a right to get back to their families. You rumble threateningly at them.
[[You give them all easy riddles. You can see their exhaustion in their faces, and while you are often righteously harsh, you are not without mercy.|Soldiercompassionate2]]
[[You give the soldiers a mixture of easy and challenging riddles. You don't want to decimate them, but you admittedly hungry, there's no denying that.|Soldiermix2]]
[[You give difficult riddles to every soldier. Tired as they are, they won't be able to answer easily. You prepare yourself for a feast.|Soldiermerciless2]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)Every man manages to solve the riddle you posed on him. Some of them hurry inside the gates once you're done with them, while others linger behind for friends or fellows that you haven't questioned yet.
After they're all gone, you lie down, trying to ignore your rumbling belly.
[[>|Sisters]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)Some of the men manage to answer the riddles correctly. You reach amongst them and grab the ones that didn't one by one, shoving them into your mouth hastily.
The soldiers shout in outrage, and you growl at them from a bloodstained mouth. Some even draw weapons. You aren't very worried. They are too few to really threaten you.
It's the leader of the soldiers that prevents their massacre, barking at them to sheath their swords. They glare at you as they walk inside the gates, and some spit at your feet. But you are sated and human scorn means little to you.
[[>|Sisters]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)Only the leader of the soldiers manages to answer your riddle correctly. The rest you devour easily. By the time you are done, you can see he is openly weeping. "I won't let this rest," he tells you, spitting into the ground before you. "These were good men."
He walks inside the city gates. You lie down your head, satisfied. Human scorn means very little to you.
[[>|Sisters]]Some time later, two middle-aged women walk up to the gates. One of them, a vigorous-looking woman, supports the other, who walks feebly and with a confused expression on her face.
"Hail, my lady," the strong looking woman says. "We wish to enter the city to visit our cousin. My sister here," she nudged the other woman with her elbow, "will answer your riddle."
[[The situation is suspicious. Usually the one to talk to you answers the riddle, and the other woman looks like she has lost her bearings. "WHY YOUR SISTER AND NOT YOU?" you question the woman.|sisterscurious1]]
[[It makes no difference to you either way. You decide to pose an easy riddle to the woman.|sistersuncurious1]]
[[You don't care one way or another. You decide to pose a difficult riddle to the woman.|sistersuncurious2]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"WHAT RUNS AROUND AN ENTIRE GARDEN WITHOUT MOVING?" You ask the confused looking woman. She looks at you with an uncomprehending look on her face. Next to her, her strong-looking sister carries a stubbornly neutral look.
"A worm?" the woman says. You grab her with your paw and shove her down your mouth. "WRONG. A FENCE."
You look at her sister, who avoids your eyes. She doesn't seem to be grieving much. "I changed my mind about entering the city. Farewell." She turns on her heel and leaves.
[[>|Lovers]]The strong looking woman looks startled. Perhaps she didn't expect to be questioned. "She...my sister is the better riddle solver," she says hesitantly.
Somehow, you doubt that very much. Her sister doesn't look like she has much in the way of mental reasoning. Even if you posed an easy riddle to her, you doubt that she could answer it. It seems to you that the woman has an ulterior motive about her sister.
[["I HAVE DECIDED TO LET YOU THROUGH WITHOUT POSING A RIDDLE," you say.|sistersnoriddle]]
[["I HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU SHOULD ANSWER MY RIDDLE INSTEAD OF YOUR SISTER," you tell the strong looking woman. And you have decided to make it an easy one.|sistersmerciful]]
[["I HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU SHOULD ANSWER MY RIDDLE INSTEAD OF YOUR SISTER," you tell the strong looking woman. And you have decided to make it a challenging one.|sistersmerciless]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?" You ask the confused woman. She looks at you with an uncomprehending look on her face. Next to her, her strong-looking sister carries a stubbornly neutral look.
"A brother?" the woman says. You grab her with your paw and shove her down your mouth. "WRONG."
You look at her sister, who avoids your eyes. She doesn't seem to be grieving much. "I changed my mind about entering the city. Farewell." She turns on her heel and leaves.
[[>|Lovers]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)The strong looking woman protests. "But...everyone should answer a riddle," she says, displeased. "This is the rule. If I let this be known, the citizens will protest against you!"
Tired of her arguments, you growl at her and lightly swat her towards the gates. She walks quickly, glaring at you and dragging her hapless sister, who looks no less confused, by the arm. Your tail swishes in irritation.
[[>|Lovers]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)The strong-looking woman protests. "But I told you, my sister is the better riddle-solver! She wants to be the one to solve the riddle! Don't you?" She elbows her confused sister again, harder this time.
Her sister winces and mumbles something under her breath. Perhaps it is yes. But you make the rules here.
"WHAT RUNS AROUND AN ENTIRE GARDEN WITHOUT MOVING?" you ask. The strong-looking woman thinks for a while, then answers. "A fence?" She is nervous now, fidgeting as if she will run away at any moment. But there's no need.
"CORRECT," you say. You move and let them pass through the gate. The strong looking woman looks irritated, and pulls roughly at her sister's arm as she goes.
[[>|Lovers]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?" you ask the strong-looking woman. She seems to be at a loss for words for the longest time.
"YOU MAY ASK YOUR SISTER FOR HELP IF YOU WISH. ISN'T SHE THE BETTER RIDDLE-SOLVER, AFTER ALL?" you say, and let out a loud cackle that makes the two women flinch.
More time passes. Eventually the strong-looking woman starts sobbing. "I...I don't know!" As you reach for her, she screams and hides behind her sister. You gently push the sister aside and grab the woman. "Erato! I'm sorry!" the woman screams as you drop her down your gullet.
The sister doesn't look confused any more. She weeps silently and stands on the spot for some time. Eventually, she drifts away.
[[>|Lovers]]Days later, two more travellers address you. It's a man and a woman, both young, and they are holding hands.
"Hail, great lady," the man says, somewhat pompously. "I am Kallilogus, and this here lady is my wife Theophraste. We wish to enter the great city you guard so valiantly. But first," he bows elaborately before you, "I should like to ask a boon."
A strange request. Most people are too intimidated by you to ask for anything. Perhaps you're losing your touch. "PROCEED," you say, glaring at him.
"I am a philosopher," he says, "and I wish to prove my wisdom to the world. As it is, I would be eternally grateful if you gave me three riddles, instead of one. My reputation would soar higher than an eagle!"
"TAKE CARE," you reply, "THAT YOU DON'T SHIT ON SOMEONE'S HEAD." Theophraste gasps in indignation, but Kallilogus seems too absorbed in his dreams of stardom to notice your insult.
[[The man is arrogant, and you have no inclination to grant his request. He will answer one riddle, like everyone else, and for his insolence, you will make it a challenging one.|loversoneriddlehard]]
[[Kallilogus' arrogance grates on you, and you see no reason to indulge him. He will answer one riddle, like everyone else. But he is young and married, so you decide to give him an easy one.|loversoneriddleeasy]]
[[You decide to grant Kallilogus' request. His human foolishness amuses you, and you will give him an easy riddle for a start.|loversthreeriddleseasy]]
[[You decide to grant Kallilogus' request. His arrogance rouses a sadistic impulse in you, and you'll start with a difficult riddle to make him squirm.|loversthreeriddleshard]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"YOUR REQUEST IS UNACCEPTABLE," you say with great dignity. "YOU WILL ANSWER ONLY ONE RIDDLE. YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE YOUR REPUTATION ELSEWHERE."
Kallilogus splutters in indignation, and Theophraste swears at you. "SILENCE, INSECTS!" you roar, and they cower in fright. "NOW FOR THE RIDDLE. WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?"
The man's brow furrows with concentration. He paces back and forth for at least twenty minutes, and the woman's face starts to look anxious. She clutches his hand protectively.
At last he speaks. "The plague?" he suggests, almost meekly.
"WRONG." Kallilogus screams as you pick him up roughly. His bones crunch between your paw. Theophraste screams, but it's too late. You put him in your mouth and devour him in two bites.
Theophraste runs at you and starts beating your foreleg. You can barely feel anything, but her cries of anguish are irritating. You squash her flat beneath your paw.
[[>|Oedipus]]"YOUR REQUEST IS ACCEPTABLE," you say with great magnanimity. Kallilogus whoops and bows to you. Again. It's starting to get cloying.
"Thank you, great lady," Theophraste says.
"GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES, AREN'T WE?" you ask smoothly. "NOW ANSWER ME: THIS OLD ONE RUNS FOREVER, BUT NEVER MOVES AT ALL. HE HAS NOT LUNGS NOR THROAT, BUT STILL A MIGHTY ROARING CALL. WHAT IS IT?"
The man's brow furrows with concentration. He paces back and forth for at least twenty minutes, and the woman's face starts to look anxious. She clutches his hand protectively.
At last he speaks. "Waterfall?" he suggests, almost meekly.
"CORRECT." At this the couple celebrate, clutching each other.
[[It's not over just yet. Your second riddle will be even more challenging.|loverssecondriddlehard]]
[[You decide to give the man a break. Your second riddle will be easier.|loverssecondriddleeasy]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)"YOUR REQUEST IS UNACCEPTABLE," you say with great dignity. "YOU WILL ANSWER ONLY ONE RIDDLE. YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE YOUR REPUTATION ELSEWHERE."
Kallilogus splutters in indignation, and Theophraste swears at you. "SILENCE, INSECTS!" you roar, and they cower in fright. "NOW FOR THE RIDDLE. WHAT DISAPPEARS THE MOMENT YOU SAY ITS NAME?"
Kallilogus has the answer in seconds. "Silence," he says sullenly. You nod in assent. "At least you could have made it a little harder for me. A child could have solved that one. Nobody will take me seriously now."
The couple walk inside the city after shooting you dirty looks.
[[>|Oedipus]]"YOUR REQUEST IS ACCEPTABLE," you say with great magnanimity. Kallilogus whoops and bows to you. Again. It's starting to get cloying.
"Thank you, great lady," Theophraste says.
"SAVE IT FOR LATER," you say irritably. "NOW ANSWER ME THIS: WHAT DISAPPEARS THE MOMENT YOU SAY ITS NAME?"
"Silence," Kallilogus says almost immediately.
"CORRECT."
He shakes his head. "You could try to make it a -little- bit challenging, you know."
[["VERY WELL," you say. The next riddle will be a difficult one.|loverssecondriddlehard]]
[[You ignore him. The next riddle will be an easy one.|loverssecondriddleeasy]]"WHAT GOES IN AND AROUND THE HOUSE, BUT NEVER TOUCHES IT?"
(if: (history:) contains "loversthreeriddleseasy")[This time, Kallilogus takes some more time to answer.](else:)[Evidently this is another challenging riddle for Kallilogus.]He paces back and forth, but eventually he has it. "The sun!" he shouts triumphantly.
"CORRECT," you say.
[[The last one will be the most challenging yet, you decide.|loversthirdriddlehard]]
[[You take it easy now, and give him an easy riddle.|loversthirdriddleeasy]]"WHAT FASTENS TWO PEOPLE, YET TOUCHES ONLY ONE?" you ask.
"Oh, I know," Kallilogus says, turning to Theophraste. He cups her cheek gently. "A wedding ring." She smiles at him, and touches his hand where it's cupping her cheek.
You wonder briefly if Sphinxes can vomit, as you've seen humans do from time to time.
[[You grow tired of this. You'll give him a riddle he won't be able to answer.|loversthirdriddlehard]]
[[You will give him another easy riddle as the last one.|loversthirdriddleeasy]](set: $merciless to $merciless + 1)"WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?"
The man's brow furrows with concentration. He paces back and forth for at least twenty minutes, and the woman's face starts to look anxious. She clutches his hand protectively.
At last he speaks. "The plague?" he suggests, almost meekly.
"WRONG." The expression in Kallilogus' face is rather satisfactory. The man screams as you pick him up roughly. His bones crunch between your paw. Theophraste screams, but it's too late. You put him in your mouth and devour him in two bites.
Theophraste runs at you and starts beating your foreleg. You can barely feel anything, but her cries of anguish are irritating. You squash her flat beneath your paw.
[[>|Oedipus]](set: $compassionate to $compassionate + 1)"WHAT DO YOU THROW OUT WHEN YOU WANT TO USE IT, BUT WHEN YOU AREN'T USING IT, YOU TAKE IT IN?"
Kallilogus thinks for a bit. "An anchor," he says finally.
"CORRECT." You move to let the couple pass.
"I thought you were going to give me challenging riddles," Kallilogus says. "But you went easy on me. Nobody will take me seriously," he sulks.
You growl irritably at him, and Theophraste clutches his arm and pulls him inside the gates.
[[>|Oedipus]]A young man walks up to the gates. You notice peculiar scars on his feet, as if they had been pierced through. He stops and looks up at you, determinedly. For a few moments nothing is said.
"Hail, Sphinx," he says.
"YOU WISH TO ENTER THE CITY, TRAVELLER?" you reply.
"Yes." He nods. "But more than that. I want to make a bargain with you."
Another bargain? You grow tired of these humans and their games. "SPEAK."
(if: $character is "compassionate" and $compassionate >= 3)["I know you are a merciful and compassionate lady. You rarely kill unless you have to. But the king of this city has offered a reward to anyone who will get rid of you. Put to me your most challenging riddle, and if I answer it, you will have to leave this place forever."
You move your giant head level with him and roar fearsomely in his face. He barely flinches. There is something about his man. He seems somehow different than the rest, even you cannot see how. "It's the end for you, my lady," he says. "If not me, it will be someone else. How many of us can you fight before you exhaust yourself?"
You know it's true. "VERY WELL," you say at last. If he wants a riddle, he shall have one.]
(elseif: $character is "compassionate" and $compassionate < 3)["I know that you have been a merciful and compassionate creature in the past. But you are getting more and more bloodthirsty. The citizens have had enough. The king has offered a reward to anyone who will get rid of you. Put to me your most challenging riddle, and if I answer it, you will let me kill you. I give you my word it will be quick and painless."
You move your giant head level with him and roar fearsomely in his face. He barely flinches. There is something about his man. He seems somehow different than the rest, even you cannot see how."It's the end for you, and you know that," he says. "If not me, it will be someone else. How many of us can you fight before you exhaust yourself?"
You know it's true. "VERY WELL," you say at last. If he wants a riddle, he shall have one.]
(elseif: $character is "merciless" and $compassionate >=4)["I know that you have been merciless and bloodthirsty. You have killed and eaten countless people over the years. But I have heard that you have spared many people lately. You must be getting older and tired of the constant slaughter. The king of this city has offered a reward to anyone who will get rid of you. Put to me your most challenging riddle, and if I answer it, you will let me kill you. I give you my word it will be quick and painless."
How dare this insect insult you and presume he can kill you? You move your giant head level with him and roar fearsomely in his face. He barely flinches. "It's the end for you, and you know it," he says. "If not me, it will be someone else. How many of us can you fight before you exhaust yourself?"
He is a fool, and as arrogant as the rest. "VERY WELL," you say at last. If he wants a riddle, he shall have one.](elseif: $character is "merciless" and $compassionate < 4)["I know that you are a merciless and bloodthirsty beast. You have killed and eaten countless people over the years. I cannot imagine how old you are, but this city has had enough of you. The king has offered a reward to anyone who will get rid of you. Put to me your most challenging riddle, and if I answer it, I will kill you and avenge the people whose blood you've spilled."
How dare this insect insult you and presume he can kill you? You move your giant head level with him and roar fearsomely in his face. He barely flinches. "This is the end for you, creature," he says. "If not me, it will be someone else. How many of us can you fight before you exhaust yourself?"
He is a fool, and as arrogant as the rest. "VERY WELL," you say at last. If he wants a riddle, he shall have one.]
[["WHICH CREATURE HAS ONE VOICE, AND YET BECOMES FOUR-FOOTED AND TWO-FOOTED AND THREE-FOOTED?"|finalriddle]]The man takes a long time to answer. Hours, in fact. He paces back and forth, he sits down, he even lies down for some time in the dirt. Finally, he gets up. "The answer," he says, "is man. A man starts his life as a baby, crawling on all four legs, then walks on two, then needs a walking stick. Am I correct?"
In lieu of an answer, you raise your face towards the heavens and roar in rage. You hope the gods hear you and strike this interloper where he stands, but no such thing happens.
(if: $character is "compassionate" and $compassionate >= 3)["And now you must hold up your part of the bargain, my lady," he says. "You have been merciful to others, so I will show you mercy. Leave Thebes and never return."
You get up slowly, gracelessly. It has been centuries since you sat on this spot, unmoving. You cannot remember the last time you had to hunt for your food, but you will have to re-learn, if you are to survive. "Thank you, traveller," you say, inclining your head. He beat you fair and square, and you aren't one to hold pointless grudges. "May I have your name? I would know the man who is as wise as a sphinx."
"Oedipus," he says. "Farewell."
You beat your long-unused wings and fly away from the city that has fed you for so long.]
(elseif: $character is "merciless" and $compassionate < 4)["And now it's time for the second part of the bargain, beast," he says, drawing a blade. "You have been merciless to others, so I will show you no mercy. Stay your hands as I push my sword into your heart, and I will give you a quicker death than you gave to others."
You have agreed to the bargain, and your honour demands that you let him kill you. But as he advances, you find a way to keep your honour and deny him his glory and satisfaction at the same time. "CURSE YOU, SCAR-FOOTED ONE. I WILL DIE BY MY OWN HANDS BEFORE I DIE AT YOURS. MAY YOU END YOUR DAYS IN SORROW AND SHAME!"
He flinches at this. You hit a target, even though you're not sure how.
The city is built on a high mountain, and it's so easy for you to tumble off the cliff. You barely have to move, and suddenly you're flying down, wind hitting your face. As you fall, you start devouring yourself; you manage to eat your entire body but your neck and head and trunk, and when you finally shatter on the ground, you are sated.](elseif: $character is "compassionate" and $compassionate < 3)["And now you must hold up your part of the bargain," he says. "Despite your recent actions, you have been merciful in your time, so I will show you mercy. Close your eyes."
"I WOULD RATHER NOT," you say. Your honour demands you keep your end of the bargain, and you will. But you will face death bravely.
He shrugs and unsheaths his sword, as you rise up so that he has better access to your sternum.
The knife pierces your flesh easily. After a few heartbeats, it's all over.](else:)["And now you must hold up your part of the bargain," he says. "Despite your history, you have been merciful lately, so I will show you mercy. Close your eyes."
"I WOULD RATHER NOT," you say. Your honour demands you keep your end of the bargain, and you will. But you will face death bravely.
He shrugs and unsheaths his sword, as you rise up so that he has better access to your sternum.
The blade pierces your flesh easily. After a few heartbeats, it's all over.]
[[But you can start again.|Start]]