Fantasy Monk Styles

[Andor]

I was watching a show on the animal styles of Kung-Fu. There are many of course with some of the more famous being snake, crane, tiger, monkey and preying mantis. There is also (at least one) dragon style.

Which led me to wonder what monsters in a D&D world would inspire monks to imitate their fighting styles. What monsters do you think would be inspirational?

For my money the Displacer Beast seems like a shoo-in.

The Bulette with it's attack from above and below approach to combat seems like it could spawn a style as well.

 

[No Name]

Groggy Gorbel Style.

 

[Ainamacar]

I nominate the hook horror. The 4e fluff seems decent, at least: climbing and jumping from odd directions, lots of dragging in or tossing away, and deadly even in complete darkness. Plenty could be done with that in a fantasy setting.

A hydra style would be pretty awesome too. I would imagine that might bear some similarity to Muay Thai, with each striking point considered a head.

 

[Eldorian]

Beholder Style. You glare at them and hope they die!

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Beholder Style. You glare at them and hope they die!

Known in some parts as the Bodak style.

 

[Henrix]

Bullywug style - lots of waddling around and stuff, much like Drunken Monkey style.

 

[Aloïsius]

I would use well known creature for fantasy monk styles... Creatures that the average monk order has a great chance of knowing about. In Real World, there is no Kangaroo style nor Sloth style. It should be the same in Fantasy world, so, unless the monk order is underground based (drow, derro, duergar...) I won't use aberrations like hook horrors nor rare undead like bodak.

That said...

* Griffon style : it's about attacking from above through a jumping charge, tripping your opponent and then either bringing powerful punch on his head while pinning him with the legs, or using swift deadly strikes to his eyes with two or three fingers. This is not a style for pacifist monks, but for the more battle-frenzied of them. Barbarians monks ?

* Treant style : Monks following this style train their bodies to endure hurts and wounds. This is mostly defensive style : you wait for the attack, soak it if needed, but exploit the moment when the enemy connect to catch him and then strangulate him. Another advanced aspect of the style is to focus inner energy (ki or psi depending of the edition you are using...) to project powerful blow at a distance or in the ground around you to trip your opponent.

*Drake swarm style : this rare style is the art of collaborating with your ally to act as one in battle. It has been developed by halfling monks to beat stronger and bigger opponents. It emphasis giving cover to your ally, swaping places quickly to confuse the ennemy, surrounding him, entering his space to attack him from below while your ally jump to reach his head, slowing, hindering the enemy to make his attacks less effective. It's all about being very quick and negating the advantages and forces of your enemy.


* The succubus style is not for this forum, so I won't elaborate about it. Use your imagination.

 

[Tav_Behemoth]

The names of the powers for Forgotten Heroes' monk use a couple of monster styles. The one that comes to mind is the Manticore style, which involves fighting in melee and then suddenly hurling the (not usually throwable) weapon you've been fighting with at an enemy - inspired by one of the weapon duels in Jet Li's Hero.

Ari's martial artist in Advanced Player's Guide also had some cool power names that implied styles.

 

[Nifft]

Flumph Style.

'Nuff said, -- N

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

FWIW, there are several Dragon articles that introduce variant martial arts styles...see my sig.

Displacer Beast style would probably involve a new Monk weapon, the Chain, coupled with a whole bunch of mundane and mystical evasive techniques.

Practitioners of Roper style would look much the same to the uninitiated who would only see the weapon, but those monks would practice rooting techniques, and would have bodies that are supernaturally tough.

Those who learn the way of the Xeg-ya (etc.) might be able to project bolts of energy (instead of stunning attacks)...or would be able to do a pain touch and other nerve strikes at range (Ring the Golden Bell would be a bonus feat for them).

Manticore stylists- mentioned above- would probably carry packets of needle-style shuriken.

Secrets of Thri-Kreen style would include how to wear certain kinds of light armor, leaping & polearm techniques- in a sense, kind of like the Shou Disciple PrCl.