In my opinion, it would be enough if the Sphinx gave less experience, as this could help in completing the sandy area of the map. It cannot give a worthwhile artifact, and all the spells are already available in the library.

There are many artifacts on the map, and I collected a whole bunch in just one library – it makes sense to reduce their quantity (there are 4 rooms in the library – one in each). Some artifacts that are always valuable: a ring with +20 initiative and a staff with -20 initiative – you can entrust these to the Sphinx. Finally, there is a super artifact for this map – Sandro's Cloak, which removes immunity to mind control spells. The super boss on the map seems to belong to the elemental class, and therefore, some dark spells do not affect him. With the cloak equipped, "Dominate" can be cast on the boss. :) (I have verified this. Apparently, Fireball was not used for this reason). So, the cloak can be given to the Sphinx to keep, or perhaps it should be forbidden.

I ran from the mentor to the archmage exactly 13 times.

That's why I asked to move the mentor closer to Shai-Hulud – not everyone can handle such a marathon