After escaping from the Manoa Prison, our heroes begin crossing The Sandman Desert where they encounter The Sphinx, the ruler of the desert, and must pass her tests in order to proceed, or be eaten on the spot.
Fugitives on the lamb, you escape into the Sandman Desert, hoping to find your way to the Heralds Of The Manticore's secret lair, deep within The Doorest Of Fores.
*Strudel scans the desert for any sign of a path to The Doorest Of Fores. She sees a caravan of heavily laden wagons, corralled into a circle. You can see people standing atop the wagons, and also a number of dark shadowy shapes surrounding the caravan. You hear shouting and screaming. The caravan is under attack.
*Sprinkles comments that that must be a huge tack! Sir Awesome facehoofs.
You all hear a scream of terror as you see a robed unicorn mare atop one of the carriages. The dark figures surround it.
*Strudel calls out to her and asks her her name.
*The unicorn says her name is The Great And Powerful Trix-E (Trixie).
She begs you to save her, as she's being attacked by Wraiths.
You see Wraiths, ghostly draped figures that seem to be wearing ghastly black robes that obscure their ghostly faces and limbs. As soon as they see you, one rushes at Strudel with his long ghostly blade.
*Strudel blocks the attack, and slashes the Wraith quickly in the stomach with her Axe, dealing 8 damage.
*Sir Awesome takes out her magic sword and cleaves the same Wraith in the shoulder, dealing 11 damage. The Wraith staggers and falls into a a pile of black, ethereal, wispy-like fabrics.
*Sir Awesome questions Trix-E. about what she's doing there. She explains she is a traveling merchant of various enchanted wares and spells. She came to the desert to find a rare gem that belongs to the desert's guardian known as The Sphinx.
As soon as she mentions The Sphinx, the wraiths fade away into thin air.
*Sir Awesome asks Trix-E. why The Wraiths suddenly faded away. She says its because The Sphinx knows they are here, and will probably show up herself soon to deal with the intruders.
*Sprinkles asks Trix-E. if she knows a way to The Doorest Of Fores. She says the only way through the desert is to get past the Sphinx. She's on her way through the desert and will happily take you if you protect her caravan. You agree and head off with Trix-E. riding in her carriage.
Embarking through the hot desert night, you suddenly spot a series of dark shapes watching you approach from the sandy hills. Lined up on the dunes are several Wraiths, they seem to be holding ghostly bows and arrows.
*The Great And Powerful Trix-E. uses her magical sorcery to conjure a series of divine crystalline arrows that soar through the night air and pierce Wraiths through the chest, dealing 15 damage each and destroying them. The rest of the Wraiths let loose their own volley of flaming arrows in retaliation.
*Magelight creates a magical Forcefield around the caravan that protects it from the arrow attack. She then launches three Friendship Missiles that converge on one of the Wraiths dealing 11 damage.
You see a brilliant flash of blinding light, and the Wraiths disperse. The Sphinx is closing in on you, and she will be here soon. The night passes uneventfully as you make camp for the night.
The next morning, the caravan arrives in an Oasis. There's palm trees, lush vegetation and the occasional frolicking animal.
*Treeminder and Vernon go off to frolick in the Oasis.
But as you enjoy yourselves in The Oasis, the sky suddenly darkens as the oasis is absorbed into the desert and the ground shakes as a massive gout of flame erupts from the ground, knowing everyone back. The Sphinx, beautiful and terrifying all at once, steps forth from the flames and smiles evilly down at you. She is a vibrant purple half pony half cat creature adorned in Egyptian jewelry and wears a pharaoh's crown upon her head. Her eyes are depthless purple pools of power and fear. She kneels down to get eye level with you as she continues to smile in an evil manner.
*Sir Awesome runs up and punches her. Her blow bounces harmlessly off her muzzle as she blows a small breath and sends Sir Awesome flying into a large palm tree. She takes 5 impact damage.
The Sphinx laughs and says she's been watching you and is impressed. She says if you can defeat her in any challenge, she will let you pass. Fail, and you all die.
*Treeminder uses Charm (D20) to try and convince The Sphinx to let them go. (FAILED) The Sphinx refuses and is unabiding in her demands. But she is humbled by Treeminder's innocence and says she doesn't have to challenge her, and that if her friends manage to defeat her, then Treeminder will be allowed to pass. As well as her bunny.
*You challenge The Sphinx to a quick match. You must land at least a single hit on her in order to win.
*Sir Awesome takes out her Magic Sword and swipes at The Sphinx's paw. Its magic blade cleaves through The Sphinx's invincible flesh as she is given a great gash on her paw from which she bleeds a viscous Black Ichor, dealing 1 damage.
The Sphinx simply gives a quick glance at the injury, completely disinterested as it heals in a split second. She smiles evilly down at you. She congratulates you on your victory, and steps aside as she lets you pass into the entrance to The Doorest Of Fores. As you pass her she lays down and curls up like a cat does. But she warns you that should you need to pass through the desert again, she will not go so easy on you next time.
You take her warning to heart, as you all pass into The Doorest Of Fores. But what will you find there besides Trees?
Find out next time on Friendship Quest.