Monks in GH - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Monks in GH

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
May 13, 2004 17:18:53 Does anyone know of any Monk factions in the realm aside from the Scartlet Brotherhood, and if so, do you also happen to know any resources?

Thanks in adavance.
#2
mortellan
May 13, 2004 17:44:06 IMC I try to keep monks particular to the Scarlet Brotherhood. It is part of GH's original flavor and adds to their overall mystique(i.e. If you have halfling monks from Elmshire it just seems to cheapen the SB monks). I do recall a Dragon magazine (no issue number handy) that talked about a faction of Brotherhood monks that split off from the homeland for players to use. Beyond that I could advise you to use the gods Zuoken and Xan Yae as the basis for a counterbalance monk organization to the Brotherhood.
#3
zombiegleemax
May 13, 2004 18:23:16 I was thinking I might possibly keep SB the only significant faction but to allow players to play monks without being a bit evil, create small factions with little influence... just a single monastary with thier own dedication and view of martial arts, much like in old asia, where martial arts has many branches... though not so frequent or popular...
Then again, making monks SB exclusive really makes martial arts and monks special and significant...
That adds some nice flavor.
But as per canon, is that the way?
#4
Mortepierre
May 14, 2004 1:39:32 I go generally the same way. Monks are restricted to SB members (+ a few SB renegades possibly).

I have, however, decided to allow some orders of Bakluni monks but these are restricted to NPC and do not keep a high profile.

Fact is, I decided that Suels stole long ago (before the Twin Cataclysms) the secret of "monkhood" from the Bakluni. I know, that's not the explanation given in WG8 Fate of Istus but I didn't much care for the "hidden oriental guys" from that accessory.

The funny thing is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the monk Turuko (room I14 in the Inn of the Welcome Wench) is described as being Bakluni!
#5
Halberkill
May 14, 2004 12:00:26
Originally posted by Mortepierre
The funny thing is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the monk Turuko (room I14 in the Inn of the Welcome Wench) is described as being Bakluni!

Which is repeated in the Video Game. And Zuoken being a Bakluni god, it makes sense.

Also in the original white plume mountain one of the pre-gen characters was a monk that had nothing to do with the brotherhood, so there is at least a precedence for non-brotherhood monks, though they still may not be all that common.

Halber
#6
zombiegleemax
May 14, 2004 17:24:13 Also, my player noticed that St. Cuthbert and Heironeous have monk listed as a typical follower type... I doubt they refer to SB.

So, as I understand, the SB monks are practicing ancient Suloise tradition in Monkhood...
This in turn means that humans specifically are the inheritors of Monkhood, and even more, the SB is the source... thus making non SB monks rare or non-existant.
This leads to the question of, would other non SB monks have roots in SB, or did another faction of monks stem from thier own ways?
I would like to learn that the SB OWN the secret of being a monk, inner peace and all that, and the only way to be a monk is to somehow aquire that knowledge... and being how the SB is, I imagine one would not simply just leave the SB with such secrets and live long.
This poses a problem... my player made his character before allowing me to do my research and chose St. Cuthbert and does not want to be SB... he is human.
I need to decide if he is going to be a unique occurance, a member of some other monastary, or invalid.
#7
lincoln_hills
May 14, 2004 17:40:59 A pre-gen monk PC was also included in Ghost Tower of Inverness - and let's not forget the plethora* of kuo-toan monitors in Descent into the Depths of the Earth.

I follow the example a lot of you seem to: that the tradition of unarmed combat was apparently held by the two great empires of the west (the Baklunish Empire, the Suel Imperium). The obliteration of the two realms resulted in a fair number of dispossessed martial artists migrating eastward.

The largest and most organized were the monks allied with Slerotin (who would later become the SB's inner circle). Individual Baklunish and Suel masters, however, would have settled all over the Flanaess, just as their kinfolk of other classes did. This explains why only the SB has a large force of monks, and also allows for the existence of small monasteries (or even single Wise Old Masters).

*(Oh yes, El Guapo, eet ees a plethora.)
#8
Greyson
May 15, 2004 0:48:44 We had a good thread regarding non-Scarlet Brotherhood orders of monks here before - but I think the thread dropped off.

In my Living Greyhawk group, we have a Monk (4th level) that adheres to the teachings of Lendor. There is the Brackenmoor Monastery near the Gnatmarsh that provides monastic training for several orders of non-evil monks. There is also the Monastary of Broken Rock in the Flint Hills. Info for both monastaries can be found HERE, in our Meta-org document.

IIRC, in the former thread, we mentioned the obvious orders - Zuoken and Xan Yae. But, Cuthbert and Pholtus are also good candidates for a religiously centered monastic order. And for another Baklunish flavor, Istus is a good choice, I think. I like Rao too, for the Flannish take on the hand-to-hand art of fighting.
#9
zombiegleemax
May 16, 2004 9:32:01 IMC, I do not restrict monks to the asian style presented in the PHB. One of my players is a devout follower of Kord the Brawler (using the class "monk" class) but he is VERY different from a SB monk.

There are small temples to Heironeus on the Borderlands that could develop a monk tradition.

I have a Keep established on the edge of the Trollfens by the Theocracy of the Pale where the monk class is taught. The keep was a grant by the Theocracy to a master in exchange for his combatting anything that wanders out of the fens.
#10
Monteblanco
May 16, 2004 14:40:58 In my GH campaign monks are always somewhat related to the Scarlet Brotherhood. I ruled that, sometime in the past, a few SB monks just departed and created their own schools, which might explain why some monks are not affiliated with the Brotherhood. Still, those small schools are rare and secretive, as the Scarlet Brotherhood tries to destroy every single one of them to keep their secrets.

I also created a new independent monk tradition of Blakunish origin, the dervishes. However, they haven't debuted in my game yet.
#11
zombiegleemax
May 17, 2004 12:28:11 hey folks,

For an early and highly detailed look at Baklunish monks, consider downloading issue 3 of the Oerth Journal and reading "Baklunish Delights (Part One): Xan Yae and Zuoken" by Erik Mona. Available at http://www.canonfire.com/htmlnew/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=15

I just bought the Expanded Psionics Handbook and find that the Fist of Zuoken prestige class meshes very well with the fantastic background story the Erik wrote so many years ago.

Also, from C1 Hidden Shrine of Tamaochan, we learned about ancient Olman monks. IMC, those monks have rejuvenated their tradition and are spreading its practice throughout the northern Amedio Jungle (and maybe even into the southern Hold of the Sea Princes or the Olman Isles).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax May 13, 2004 17:18:53	Does anyone know of any Monk factions in the realm aside from the Scartlet Brotherhood, and if so, do you also happen to know any resources? Thanks in adavance.
#2 mortellan May 13, 2004 17:44:06	IMC I try to keep monks particular to the Scarlet Brotherhood. It is part of GH's original flavor and adds to their overall mystique(i.e. If you have halfling monks from Elmshire it just seems to cheapen the SB monks). I do recall a Dragon magazine (no issue number handy) that talked about a faction of Brotherhood monks that split off from the homeland for players to use. Beyond that I could advise you to use the gods Zuoken and Xan Yae as the basis for a counterbalance monk organization to the Brotherhood.
#3 zombiegleemax May 13, 2004 18:23:16	I was thinking I might possibly keep SB the only significant faction but to allow players to play monks without being a bit evil, create small factions with little influence... just a single monastary with thier own dedication and view of martial arts, much like in old asia, where martial arts has many branches... though not so frequent or popular... Then again, making monks SB exclusive really makes martial arts and monks special and significant... That adds some nice flavor. But as per canon, is that the way?
#4 Mortepierre May 14, 2004 1:39:32	I go generally the same way. Monks are restricted to SB members (+ a few SB renegades possibly). I have, however, decided to allow some orders of Bakluni monks but these are restricted to NPC and do not keep a high profile. Fact is, I decided that Suels stole long ago (before the Twin Cataclysms) the secret of "monkhood" from the Bakluni. I know, that's not the explanation given in WG8 Fate of Istus but I didn't much care for the "hidden oriental guys" from that accessory. The funny thing is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the monk Turuko (room I14 in the Inn of the Welcome Wench) is described as being Bakluni!
#5 Halberkill May 14, 2004 12:00:26	Originally posted by Mortepierre The funny thing is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the monk Turuko (room I14 in the Inn of the Welcome Wench) is described as being Bakluni! Which is repeated in the Video Game. And Zuoken being a Bakluni god, it makes sense. Also in the original white plume mountain one of the pre-gen characters was a monk that had nothing to do with the brotherhood, so there is at least a precedence for non-brotherhood monks, though they still may not be all that common. Halber
#6 zombiegleemax May 14, 2004 17:24:13	Also, my player noticed that St. Cuthbert and Heironeous have monk listed as a typical follower type... I doubt they refer to SB. So, as I understand, the SB monks are practicing ancient Suloise tradition in Monkhood... This in turn means that humans specifically are the inheritors of Monkhood, and even more, the SB is the source... thus making non SB monks rare or non-existant. This leads to the question of, would other non SB monks have roots in SB, or did another faction of monks stem from thier own ways? I would like to learn that the SB OWN the secret of being a monk, inner peace and all that, and the only way to be a monk is to somehow aquire that knowledge... and being how the SB is, I imagine one would not simply just leave the SB with such secrets and live long. This poses a problem... my player made his character before allowing me to do my research and chose St. Cuthbert and does not want to be SB... he is human. I need to decide if he is going to be a unique occurance, a member of some other monastary, or invalid.
#7 lincoln_hills May 14, 2004 17:40:59	A pre-gen monk PC was also included in Ghost Tower of Inverness - and let's not forget the plethora* of kuo-toan monitors in Descent into the Depths of the Earth. I follow the example a lot of you seem to: that the tradition of unarmed combat was apparently held by the two great empires of the west (the Baklunish Empire, the Suel Imperium). The obliteration of the two realms resulted in a fair number of dispossessed martial artists migrating eastward. The largest and most organized were the monks allied with Slerotin (who would later become the SB's inner circle). Individual Baklunish and Suel masters, however, would have settled all over the Flanaess, just as their kinfolk of other classes did. This explains why only the SB has a large force of monks, and also allows for the existence of small monasteries (or even single Wise Old Masters). *(Oh yes, El Guapo, eet ees a plethora.)
#8 Greyson May 15, 2004 0:48:44	We had a good thread regarding non-Scarlet Brotherhood orders of monks here before - but I think the thread dropped off. In my Living Greyhawk group, we have a Monk (4th level) that adheres to the teachings of Lendor. There is the Brackenmoor Monastery near the Gnatmarsh that provides monastic training for several orders of non-evil monks. There is also the Monastary of Broken Rock in the Flint Hills. Info for both monastaries can be found HERE, in our Meta-org document. IIRC, in the former thread, we mentioned the obvious orders - Zuoken and Xan Yae. But, Cuthbert and Pholtus are also good candidates for a religiously centered monastic order. And for another Baklunish flavor, Istus is a good choice, I think. I like Rao too, for the Flannish take on the hand-to-hand art of fighting.
#9 zombiegleemax May 16, 2004 9:32:01	IMC, I do not restrict monks to the asian style presented in the PHB. One of my players is a devout follower of Kord the Brawler (using the class "monk" class) but he is VERY different from a SB monk. There are small temples to Heironeus on the Borderlands that could develop a monk tradition. I have a Keep established on the edge of the Trollfens by the Theocracy of the Pale where the monk class is taught. The keep was a grant by the Theocracy to a master in exchange for his combatting anything that wanders out of the fens.
#10 Monteblanco May 16, 2004 14:40:58	In my GH campaign monks are always somewhat related to the Scarlet Brotherhood. I ruled that, sometime in the past, a few SB monks just departed and created their own schools, which might explain why some monks are not affiliated with the Brotherhood. Still, those small schools are rare and secretive, as the Scarlet Brotherhood tries to destroy every single one of them to keep their secrets. I also created a new independent monk tradition of Blakunish origin, the dervishes. However, they haven't debuted in my game yet.
#11 zombiegleemax May 17, 2004 12:28:11	hey folks, For an early and highly detailed look at Baklunish monks, consider downloading issue 3 of the Oerth Journal and reading "Baklunish Delights (Part One): Xan Yae and Zuoken" by Erik Mona. Available at http://www.canonfire.com/htmlnew/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=15 I just bought the Expanded Psionics Handbook and find that the Fist of Zuoken prestige class meshes very well with the fantastic background story the Erik wrote so many years ago. Also, from C1 Hidden Shrine of Tamaochan, we learned about ancient Olman monks. IMC, those monks have rejuvenated their tradition and are spreading its practice throughout the northern Amedio Jungle (and maybe even into the southern Hold of the Sea Princes or the Olman Isles).