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Monks in Greyhawk?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 8:11:34 I know about the Scarlet Brotherhood, but are there any other areas in Greyhawk with a monk tradition? I have heard that there are two Baklunish gods that have monk followers (Xan Ye and Zokon?), but we are looking for a less eastern tradition.
#2
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 8:29:47 In one of the recent editions of Dragon there was a write-up on a PrC for the monks of Nerull. Pretty flavorful, too, if somewhat hard to incorporate as anything other than an NPC. Off hand, I can't remember which edition.
#3
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 9:08:12 Thanks monkeybone, our new DM doesn't allow PrC's, however. I was looking more just for general information about areas with Monk traditions. We just need a gentle shove in the right direction.
#4
Argon
Jul 24, 2003 11:08:24 You can always tweak the monk class to fit in with your campaign surroundings. Instead of their strange fighting moves maybe they just attack like fighter's who are prominent to use pummeling or wrestling as their main techniques, staff's and clubs could be the only suitable weapons. Maybe they are an NPC class which much like the monks of Europe in their days were great scholars who knew and taught many skills and trades.
Many commoners were unable to read or write so the church was their sole source of information and knowledge. Many noble families had their children study under monks to learn languages and writing skills, history and religious beliefs were also instilled making churches very powerful. Especially in a Theocracy were most or all of the priest hood is of nobleblood.
The Spanish Empire used monks when they conquered a territory. The monks were wells of information and made it easier for the Spanish goverment to influence the people of the conquered lands.
In reality many priesthoods could have monks especially those which reside over nature, knowledge, peace, wisdom, & etc. Generally speaking I would not have a monk belong to a god of war one of protection is ok.
In Ket their can be monks of The Colorless Rainbow (Istus) or The monks of The Golden Cup (Al'Akbar). Any thnig is possible with but a little thought. In Veluna you could have the monks of The of Conscious Thought (RAO) or The monks of The Righteous Cudgel (St. Cuthbert) what skills and trades they have are entirely up to the DM but I'm sure he would appreciate some suggestions.
So in the end whatever fits in the campaignis fine, whatever doesn't just scrap.
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 11:35:31 One region in GH which is heavily religious is the Theocracy of the Pale. This region has a number of monastries near the Rakers. I suggest you get a copy of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer to get the full deatils on this.
#6
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 12:23:09 Thanks Andrian! Some research into the Theocracy of the Pale has revealed that they have a branch of monks called "The Disciples of Discipline" that are used as elite troops by the clergy of Pholtus. This will probably work out for our group, as the last two players to come up with a background are a Monk and a Cleric, and they were looking for a good way to tie their backgrounds together.
#7
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2003 14:33:20 In the Onnwal section of Living Greyhawk we have monks of Pholtus following the path of the blinding light and monks dedicated to Jascar wandering the secret paths of the headlands and monks of fortubo amongst the Dwur.

It also notes that although there are no monks of Heironeous or Mayaheine in Onnwal the creeds of those faiths would not rule them out. So there are lots of options out there without the dreaded scarlet sign.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 8:11:34	I know about the Scarlet Brotherhood, but are there any other areas in Greyhawk with a monk tradition? I have heard that there are two Baklunish gods that have monk followers (Xan Ye and Zokon?), but we are looking for a less eastern tradition.
#2 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 8:29:47	In one of the recent editions of Dragon there was a write-up on a PrC for the monks of Nerull. Pretty flavorful, too, if somewhat hard to incorporate as anything other than an NPC. Off hand, I can't remember which edition.
#3 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 9:08:12	Thanks monkeybone, our new DM doesn't allow PrC's, however. I was looking more just for general information about areas with Monk traditions. We just need a gentle shove in the right direction.
#4 Argon Jul 24, 2003 11:08:24	You can always tweak the monk class to fit in with your campaign surroundings. Instead of their strange fighting moves maybe they just attack like fighter's who are prominent to use pummeling or wrestling as their main techniques, staff's and clubs could be the only suitable weapons. Maybe they are an NPC class which much like the monks of Europe in their days were great scholars who knew and taught many skills and trades. Many commoners were unable to read or write so the church was their sole source of information and knowledge. Many noble families had their children study under monks to learn languages and writing skills, history and religious beliefs were also instilled making churches very powerful. Especially in a Theocracy were most or all of the priest hood is of nobleblood. The Spanish Empire used monks when they conquered a territory. The monks were wells of information and made it easier for the Spanish goverment to influence the people of the conquered lands. In reality many priesthoods could have monks especially those which reside over nature, knowledge, peace, wisdom, & etc. Generally speaking I would not have a monk belong to a god of war one of protection is ok. In Ket their can be monks of The Colorless Rainbow (Istus) or The monks of The Golden Cup (Al'Akbar). Any thnig is possible with but a little thought. In Veluna you could have the monks of The of Conscious Thought (RAO) or The monks of The Righteous Cudgel (St. Cuthbert) what skills and trades they have are entirely up to the DM but I'm sure he would appreciate some suggestions. So in the end whatever fits in the campaignis fine, whatever doesn't just scrap.
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 11:35:31	One region in GH which is heavily religious is the Theocracy of the Pale. This region has a number of monastries near the Rakers. I suggest you get a copy of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer to get the full deatils on this.
#6 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 12:23:09	Thanks Andrian! Some research into the Theocracy of the Pale has revealed that they have a branch of monks called "The Disciples of Discipline" that are used as elite troops by the clergy of Pholtus. This will probably work out for our group, as the last two players to come up with a background are a Monk and a Cleric, and they were looking for a good way to tie their backgrounds together.
#7 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2003 14:33:20	In the Onnwal section of Living Greyhawk we have monks of Pholtus following the path of the blinding light and monks dedicated to Jascar wandering the secret paths of the headlands and monks of fortubo amongst the Dwur. It also notes that although there are no monks of Heironeous or Mayaheine in Onnwal the creeds of those faiths would not rule them out. So there are lots of options out there without the dreaded scarlet sign.