101 Non-Asian Monk Styles

[I'm A Banana]

I've seen a lot of people argue that Monks don't fit their game because they're too asian in flavor.

Well, to be honest, I haen't seen it yet.

I mean, that's a perfectly valid reason for not liking the class, but it doesn't *have* to be that way, right? (Or, if the Monk is somehow indivisible from an Asian tradition, why is that?)

So, this thread, in the grand tradition of 101 threads, I want to provide 101 ways that a Monk can be fully integrated into a Western-style campaign setting not unlike medieval Europe (or, at least about as like that as the rest of the core rules are).

I'll start:

1) Specially Trained Soldiers: In a world with mage-armies and supernatural threats, a soldier who can resist most attempts to overcome him mystically and still be capable of sofftening up opponents is quite valuable. Schools exist training this style of fighting, which infuses elements of military dogma (such as working as a team, unquestioningly following orders, etc) into the teachings to hone the mind.

2) Greco-Roman Style Wrestlers: Grease me up, I'm goin' in! They practice a fighting style involving grabs, holds, and throws, and can toss a decent punch, kick, or body slam when they need to. Not only that, but they are learned in the philosophy of the ages, taught that to be the winner, they must be in harmony with the music of the spheres, the eternal order with everything. They must be a perfect example of a human being, and the world will empower them.

 

[Arken]

3) Temple guardians

4) Hit and run forest fighter

 

[Praeco]

5) Assassins. While rogues are often considered to fill the typical assassin role, a monks have the ability to blend in with other people easily (no armor or weapons needed) and the ability to strike quickly and quietly.

 

[Tsyr]

IMC, I've always portrayed monks as either the aformentioned mage-killers...

Or as a group of special body guards called...

6) The Hidden Watch. Similar to the aformentioned assassins, The Hidden Watch is typicly employed by good-aligned rulers that have to fear for assasination but don't want to ruin their image (be it at a courtly function, in a public area, or just in general) by having numerous obvious body guards. The Hidden Watch normaly fill a double role... cooks, cleaners, pages, etc. Normaly only the ruler himself knows which servant is a body guard, and which isn't, but it's always sheduled so that at *least* one is near the ruler at all times. Sometimes they are employed in other, similar ways... guarding an important cargo in a caravan while seemingly being a simple merchant, etc. Almost always have ranks in one or two proffession skills, as well as disguise.

 

[Skade]

7) Decievers, or Thugee styled cults. Not so much assasins ans muderers for religious purposes. One aspect of the act was that blood could not be spilled in the murder, but only when they body was consecrated, and ritually buried.

8) Followers of a god whose portfolio includes logic, personal achievment and harmony. In my campaign that is The Lonesome God. He does have traditional clerics, but a good number of his worshipers are monks.

 

[D'karr]

8) Followers of a god whose portfolio includes logic, personal achievment and harmony. In my campaign that is The Lonesome God. He does have traditional clerics, but a good number of his worshipers are monks.

A vulcan god. Funny.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

9.) Atheletes

10.) Peasants who aren't allowed weapons but develop a group who can defend them.

 

[ejja_1]

How about...

The pugilist?

Isnt there also a martial art called Savate thats non eastern?
Something like french kick boxing or some such?

 

[jaerdaph]

A holy order charged with guarding evil artifacts or portals to the lower planes.

 

[Skade]

A vulcan god. Funny.

Never thought of it that way... No surprise really. I grew up on Star Trek.

10.) Peasants who aren't allowed weapons but develop a group who can defend them.

Isn't this where most martial arts come from?

13) Followers of a god of Brutality and Justice. The use of weapons is not brutal enough, they must feel the bones crunch beneath their skin. Brutality is not an excuse for chaos, however, instead there is an ordered means of determining when violence must be commited, and how. This god sees its worshipers as filling a niche in society that most cannot accept. They do the dirty deeds the common man does not want to know about. There conscience demands that they feel the pain they inflict however, so hands are used instead.