It was a little anti-climactic, but Spiegel's sole defense was the replicas. I have to wonder just how intelligent it was -- it reacted more like an automated defense system than like an intelligent enemy.
Which makes me wonder .. have demons evolved since Spiegel's day? Have they gained human intelligence when they took on human appearance?
Questions in my mind:
1) When did they mention Spiegel was a demon? I believe you, because I see it all over the web, but I don't recall them specifically calling Spiegel out as such. There are all kinds of magical creatures in this world -- mimics, dragons, elves -- so I wasn't immediately concluding it was a demon.
2) Follow up questions: How did it get into that tomb in the first place? I doubt the humans built the tomb around it, so they must have captured it (and what a devil of a job THAT must have been) and placed it in the tomb to protect the final resting place forever. Which it has done well. How does it sustain itself? I've heard reference to demons "eating", but there can't be much edible in the tomb.
3) Which raises the question of why our pacifist decided that it was a worthwhile test to invade a tomb and kill an intelligent being who wasn't causing any harm to anyone outside the tomb. Memories of OOTS invading a dragon's lair to acquire the starmetal there.
My conscience is partly formed by the old Star Trek episode
Devil In the Dark . Just because a creature isn't humanoid and doesn't have a mouth to speak with doesn't mean it isn't intelligent, and doesn't mean it can be killed out of hand.
It goes without saying, as well, that in the modern world Archaeologists are not grave robbers; you're supposed to analyze and examine in place not remove artifacts, especially not for sale on the open market. But of course a world based on D&D doesn't think that way; perhaps there are artifacts and rare things in that tomb which will give insight into the magic of ages past -- but if it is important, why doesn't the faculty of the institute crack it themselves rather than leave it up to students?
4) So does this mean they'll have to come up with another exam portion next time, or will they be able to revive Spiegel? Or find another similar creature to host the dungeon?