Book 4 Chapter 6

In the new room they find themselves in front of two giant versions of the earlier metallic creature they encountered. They inform the party that their tests of intelligence are over, and their tests of strength will now begin.

First they fight two large golem creatures, which they dispatch without much difficulty.

Next, the party walks into a large room with very high ceilings, large pillars, and statues flanking the sides. At the far end of the room, there is a large Sphinx, waiting atop some stairs. The party approaches it, and when the party gets 20 feet away, the Sphinx begins to speak. It congratulates them on passing all of the tests so far, the mountain, the riddles, the puzzles, the dragon, and even the frozen wasteland were all testing the party.

The Sphinx conjures a large feast, which only Dorian and Venkra take part in. It's the best thing they've ever tasted, but the rest of the party is too paranoid to join them. After they eat the meal, they feel stronger and healthier. The party begins the final test, as they engage the Sphinx.

It's a tough battle, the Sphinx is quite strong, and the statues animate to assist him, but eventually he teleports to his original position atop the stairs, and says that the party has passed the final test.

Having passed the tests, the party gets to ask the Sphinx 5 questions, which they ask about killing the King. They find out that the King has created a phylactery on each of the planes, and that the party must travel to each plane and destroy them. The Builders give them several things to assist with this endeavor. First, they're given two spells. A cantrip which will help locate a phylactery if there is one on the plane, and a ritual to destroy a phylactery once it's been found. Second, they're given four Words of Power: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The Sphinx explains that the Words of Power are the words used by the gods in the creation of the multiverse, and that if they are on the lookout, they may find other ones hidden across the planes.

Finally, they speak directly to the builders, through the Sphinx. They are provided with more information, and then the Builders ask what plane they would like to begin with, and after a small discussion, the party decides on Elysium. The Sphinx casts a spell, and the party finds that they are no longer on Ranath...