Priests and the Monk

[Valandil]

I have seen a person roleplaying a monk in the past, and in recent days I've been thinking up a monk-like character that I'd enjoy roleplaying on FK.

My question would be... is it a good idea, within roleplaying limitations, to roleplay a monk on FK? If so, which 'class' would be suitable for this? I chose a priest as the most logical choice, but I would appreciate a little insight from the staff. Especially on concerns of appropriate guidelines to follow if the concept is indeed deemed appropriate.

- Valandil

[Rhelian]

Monks in themself aren't really an easilly defined class. However, most monks in FR are fighting orders, so your best bet would be as a base warrior, and limiting your weapon skills to those appropriate for a monk (look up the 3rd edition rules on monks for weapon classes).

A monk generally doesn't go around casting healing spells on everyone, so it wouldn't be a priest class in my opinion.

[Valandil]

http://underdark.iti.fi/~np/rpg/misc/3rdEdition.html

True they do not/should not have healing spells/prayers...

http://www.dndepicenter.com/dndepicente ... s/monk.php - "Path of Healing - The monk is able to heal himself through ten minutes of mediation. This healing is equal to 1d4 hp +1hp/level."

But, they do/should have some sort of healing ability. They are, as well, a religious class, which Priests are designed around.

Any other thoughts?

[Andreas]

To me, it depends on what type of monk you are looking to play.

If you're going for the Eastern style of monk, then a fighter class would probably be more appropriate as many Eastern religions support martial monastic orders. However, keep in mind that the lands of Kara-Tur and Rokugan are more than 6,000 miles away from the Sword Coast as the dragon flies. Won't find too many Easterners wandering around and even fewer monastic orders where they could receive their training.

Now, looking at the Western monk, I'd say a priest because they preach to the masses, tend to those in need and strive for unification of mind, body and spirit. There are numerous monastic orders dedicated to Ilmater mentioned in the books and supplements. Deneir and Oghma also have strong monastic orders (read the Cleric Quintet by R.A. Salvatore). Bet you never thought Loviatar had monks in her following, eh? *wink*

Give me a bit and I'll post a list of faiths that support monastic orders.

[Valandil]

Although the monastic monk would've been my first choice, I did realize that their origins would be no where near the sword coast which is another contributing factor to my decision of priest over warrior.

I would appreciate that list of faiths when you have the time to post it. =)

[Tempus]

Please bear in mind that since we do not currently offer a monk class, any monk-like RP may require pre-approval from the deity team. Applications for special roleplays can be made by sending an email to applications@forgottenkingdoms.com

[Andreas]

Amaunator (Dead)
Azuth
Chauntea
Deneir
Eldath
Grumbar
Helm
Ilmater
Jergal
Kossuth
Loviatar
Oghma
Red Knight
Savras

[Valandil]

Thanks Andreas.

and thank you Tempus and Mystra. That was the staff advice I was looking for. I'll be sending an app soon.

[Sparlow]

Hmm...I don't know if it's too late to point this out, but seeing as how I've got a bit of experience in this realm, I'd just point out some stuff.

Firstly, there's two different kinds of Monk, as Andreas said. There's the archetypcal Fighting Monks of the Shaolin. Those are the guys you read about or see on TV in the Orange robes doing those amazing tricks. The classical 'Tibetan monastic' orders, if you will.

The Western monk, as Andreas said again, is more along the lines of an itinerant preacher, without possessions or fame. Illmater would probably be the best place to start for a Western monk, as his faith emphasizes self-sacrifice and immaterialism. His are known as the Monks of the Yellow Rose. Another God (I think Loviatar) has a band known as the Monks of the Long Death, who kill random people, but only after making them suffer. A lot.

You need to consider if you want an A) Warrior Monk or B) Religious Monk. It will make HUGE amounts of difference in your RP.

Just some thoughts. Sorry if this is out of date, I only saw the post today.

[Andreas]

There are MANY more monastic orders that those that practise various Shaolin styles.

Iiajutsu is a form that developed without any influence from Shaolin as did many of the Japanese martial arts.

Martial arts were in existence for centuries before the advent of temples to combine a philosophy of peace and study of violence with the martial applications of self defense. Once the temples were built, the various styles were refined and finally given names. To group ALL martial arts under the heading of "Shaolin" is a grave injustice to their beauty and long histories.

Just remember, the core principle of most martial arts is
how to avoid conflict. Picking fights and showing off is not the path to enlightenment.

[Isaldur]

For future referance there's ALOT of monkly orders, but the most prominent ones are as follow. I'm leaving multiclass options out of the descriptions and even though they are not the "Eastern" monk all these orders practice their own martial arts styles but also incorporate religion other than the Celestial Goblygook Kara-Tur has. Note that some of them do not even incorporate religion (Unless freely multiclassed as a paladin, cleric, or some other divine prestige class)

Broken Ones (Good): Of all the popular deities of Faerun Ilmater is the deity most associated with an order of monks who act purely in his name. The Dalelands house no monastaries of grate fame, but monks of Ilmater frequently travel through the dales, sheltering in Ilmater's temples if they cannot find other lodging.

Dark Moon (Evil): Shar is worshipped by a powerful sect of monks who maintain open temples in lands ruled by evil overlords or hide among hills, back alleys, or the underdark. Most of the Dark Moon monks are human but occasionally they are joined by a half-orc, shade, or drow.
*note, Dark Moon monks are described further in 3e's Lords of Darkness for Forgotten Realms. Other information could be found in "The Black Bouquet", a novel which has a Monk of the Dark Moon in the Thieves series.

Hin Fist (Neutral or Good): The halflings of Luiren turn their confidence into belief in the power of a single halfling to master herself and the world. Enterprising Luiren monks sometimes establish monestaries in the north. Although only halflings can study Hin fist in Luiren, some Hin Fist monasteries outside Luiren accept exception gnomes and dwarves.

Long Death (Evil): The Long Death order worships the principles of death without caring much which deity currently owns the portfolio. They are more than willing to share death and its antecedent, pain, with others. Clerics of the previous god of Death, Myrkul, chose to view them as part of their god's long-range plans. Kelemvor (the current god of the dead) views them as enemies, but is at least pleased that they do not actively promote undeath. Velsharoon (The god of necromancy and undeath) wants to woo them, but has ot figured out how. This order is quite strong in Thay, though not with the sanction or cooperation of Red Wizards.

Old Order (Neutral, Sometimes Good, Rarely Evil): Monks of the Old Order do not worship any deity, but are devoted to the philosophy espoused by a deity who is either now dead or has never existed on the Material Plane of Toril. The monks contradict themselves on this point, but the deity's identity isn't important to them, it's the message they care about. The Old Order never has huge monasteries, but has spread widely throughout Faerun.

Shining Hand (Neutral): The Shining Hand is one of the oldest Monk Orders in Amn, mixing faith of Azuth, and the practice of wizardry with monastic devotions. Amn's crackdown on the practice of wizardry has sent some Shining Hand groups underground and sent others out into the wider world.

Sun Soul (Good or Neutral): The allegiance of this widespread but disorganized sect varies between groups, some follow Lathander, others Selune, and a few devoted to Sune. The Sun Soul order, alon with the Old order, is the most likely to have monasteries hidden in far flung wilderness areas.

Yellow Rose (Good, Neutral): Also known as the Disciples of Saint Sollars, this solitary monastery of Ilmater worshippers in the Eearthspur mountains of Damara is known for loyalty to its allies and destruction to its enemies. Greatly respected on matters of truth and diplomacy, the monks work hard to survive in their harsh remote sanctuary. The monks often travel with Ilmataran paladins, particularly from the Order of the Golden Cup.

There's plenty more smaller groups, the above mentioned just have members numbered in the hundreds.

This information was taken from the 3e Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, a valuable book to have if you want to immerse yourself more in the world of Faerun and FK.

[EDIT] I also wanted to point out that there's no huge difference between a religious monk or some other kind of monk. A monk is a monk, they practice martial arts for good, neutrality, or evil. They let the codes of the Order/Type of Monkly Order they are part of guide them whether the codes are passed down from the Gods or some Stone Tablet that is ten millenia old.

[Sparlow]

Andreas,

I was making some very general remarks about the archtypical martial arts forms that we see today, without having to go into very many specifics. With (I believe) nearly a thousand forms of martial arts existing in the world today, it would be impossible to list each and every one of them and the distinct style and history associate with them. When someone says 'Eastern Monk', the first thing that pops into the head is the image of a guy in an orange robe sitting on a mountain. It's a simple mental image we're all acquainted with.

Off the top of my head, I can name around two dozen distinct martial forms and the origins, history, and styles associated with each. Shaolin Kung Fu originated in China as a method of self-protection for the monks of those lands, who frequently traveled without weapons or armor. It was developed by Bodidarma, known as Tao Mo by the Chinese, who saw that his fellow Buddhist monks were not physically as fit as they should be. While Kung Fu had already been known in other parts of the lands and even India, where Bodidharma hailed from, it was the legendary Shaolin monks who gave it much of it's purpose and philosophy.

Or Tae Kwon Do, which originated in Korea in the early centuries of the first milennium, as a form of hand and foot fighting developed by the people of that land to help stave off invaders from neighbouring countries, which included the Mongols and Mancu C'hing dynasty.

Other examples include Kendo, Ninjitsu (jijitsu), the hundreds of Kara-te derivations, Kempo, Hapkido or it's cousing Hanmudo, the mutiple forms of Tai Chi Chuan, Muay Thai kickboxing, European pugilism, escrima stick fighting, the dozen or so major families of Kung Fu, Greco-Roman wrestling, Judo, Drunken Boxing, Tang Soo Do, etc. etc. etc....

If you want to learn more about these styles, there are lots of great books and websites out there that can help inform you about their individual histories and lore, as well as distinct styles.

As a sidebar, the belief that enlightnment comes from restraint is not true for all religions and martial art styles. It's a matter of personal choice; some Kung Fu masters of legend spent every waking minute training as hard as possible to perfect their skill and their bodies, and duels were not uncommon as a way to test one's skill and technique.

And to be honest, the martial arts _are_ all about learning how to defeat your opponent. The seeking to avoid fights is a side effect of having the ability to strike with deadly force being only as far away as your hands and feet.

You train with any weapon to kill; as you train, you learn to hope you never have to use it.

[Isaldur]

Well what bard could pass up a chance to cram something he knows down anothers throat? Or in this case eyes.

Another note on the Monks of the Dark Moon is that all of them also train in sorcerery. They usually keep ahead of their sorcerer level by 1 monk level. How that could be incorporated in FK I'm not sure unless perhaps Monks of the Dark Moon learn a few spells and don't get perhaps as many monk skills in the guild files.

[Rhelian]

Wouldn't that be delving into the realms of multiclassing? A spell-casting fighter-based class?

[Valandil]

Just remember, the core principle of most martial arts is how to avoid conflict. Picking fights and showing off is not the path to enlightenment.

I'm a buddhist and intended to play the character along similar principles, so I don't think that would be a problem.

[Andreas]

Hehe, my favourite monks in the campaign are the Weeping Friars. They take pessimism and suffering to the level of an art form!

[Telk]

Could you RP a monk character? Would such a thing take a application?


Edit: My apologies, I did not search the forums completely

[Mele]

Yes, and yes.