I am going to need some of the more experienced DMs help on this one. My question is: What are some good backgrounds for monks in Dragonlance ?
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(and to a lesser extent, monks of Zeboim).
Why would an CE goddess have LE monks? that is more then one step away from her alignment.
I can see Sargonnas having monks, but not Zeboim.
Why would an CE goddess have LE monks? that is more then one step away from her alignment.
I can see Sargonnas having monks, but not Zeboim.
Kinda difficult to go into without a lengthy discussion of the novel, Amber and Ashes. Needless to say, a character in that book starts out as a monk of Majere, and is 'recruited' by Zeboim. Otherwise, I would tend to agree with you.
Most monks in Dragonlance would revere Majere. Some revere Gilean or Zivilyn, although these types of monks aren't as martial. Evil monks would probably follow Sargonnas, as a god of brutal discipline, where one learns to channel their anger into decisive blows.
Why would an CE goddess have LE monks? that is more then one step away from her alignment.
I can see Sargonnas having monks, but not Zeboim.
Well, that "one step" rule only applies to Clerics. Think of it this way, there are plenty of LG dwarves that revere and worship Reorx, despite Reorx's N alignment. In the same way, one can be a monk of a CE deity.
EDIT: Damn, True_Blue beat me to the punch.
Monks could also come from that island that was in Travels of Gilanthas (Man I butchered his name). I don't remeber the name or where it is just that they would seem to be monks from their description in the book. Just a small little island where they train. Then he wouldn't need be a diety inspired monk.
That was the island of Elian ... and his name is Gilthanas.
Not that monks have to come from a Asian like culture but wasn't there a type of nation like this on Taladas? I would imagine that monk like characters would/could be abundant in that region.
The most likely candidate would be the Alan-Atu tribe of the Ilquar mountains of Northern Hosk, they struck me as reminiscent of a generic mountain-dwelling asian culture.
Well, that "one step" rule only applies to Clerics. Think of it this way, there are plenty of LG dwarves that revere and worship Reorx, despite Reorx's N alignment. In the same way, one can be a monk of a CE deity.
EDIT: Damn, True_Blue beat me to the punch.
Worshipping and having a whole order of Monks is 2 different things. What I'm saying is why would a CE god create a Lwaful Order. Yes I know anybody can worship any god of any alignment, but only a cleric has to be within one step. But it doesn't make sense for Zeboim to have a monk order.
Worshipping and having a whole order of Monks is 2 different things. What I'm saying is why would a CE god create a Lwaful Order. Yes I know anybody can worship any god of any alignment, but only a cleric has to be within one step. But it doesn't make sense for Zeboim to have a monk order.
I think this was an exception moreso than the rule. There is a reason for it, but again, it's hard to go into without really discussing the novel.
Needless to say, I don't think Zeboim will be trying to create an order of monks to her cause anytime soon. The monk in the book is a means to an end, not a new order or movement.
The monk didn't even choose her, she chose him.
The novel Amber and Ashes provides some interesting insight on the monks of Majere (and to a lesser extent, monks of Zeboim). I guess monks can really dedicate themselves to any god, or no god. Trying to find inner peace, or stength in one's self would be a something I could see characters trying to attain especially during the 40 odd years where the gods were away from Krynn. That might serve as a good background idea for any players considering the monk class. Without the wisdom and guidance from the gods, mortals tried to find it on their own by training their minds and bodies and thus becoming monks. Dunno, just a suggestion. Let us know how it turns out!
It may be hard for me to read the Amber and Ashes book since Mina is in it. I really cannot stand Mina.
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It may be hard for me to read the Amber and Ashes book since Mina is in it. I really cannot stand Mina.
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I really hope that Rhys(the monk that everyone keeps mentioning, his name doesn't really spoil the book) smacks her in the head a few times.
As I am a poor college student I cannot buy the book yet.
I'm with Daedavias on this one. Not that he smacks her in the head but that I can't buy it yet. I'm going to have to wait for soft cover.
My wife has been waiting for The Minotaur Wars(The 2nd book of the trilogy) to come out in soft back. The hard back copy is just too much money.
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I'm with Daedavias on this one. Not that he smacks her in the head but that I can't buy it yet. I'm going to have to wait for soft cover.
Man, I must be the only one that thinks that Mina really needs a little brain damage. It would probably knock some sense into her.
Man, I must be the only one that thinks that Mina really needs a little brain damage. It would probably knock some sense into her.
No you are not the only one; she has pretty much got on my nerves ever since they first introduced her in the War of Souls trilogy. Her character is very bland and could use some spicing up; perhaps a bump on the head could give her some personality.
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He really annoys the hell out of the rest of the players with the whole LN thing too...
In my campaign one of the characters wanted to play a Monk. We decided to have him be from a monastery in some remote part of Northern Ergoth, he worships Majere. His basic idea with the character is to follow a very LN code of conduct, analogous to the Solamnic code, but more monkish, spiritual and physical perfection and all that.
He really annoys the hell out of the rest of the players with the whole LN thing too...
That sounds like a pretty good idea for a monk character. I actually think that SP releasing a book or a web article perhaps on the various monk orders of Krynn would be good.
This player in particular is playing a LN Kagonesti elf monk.
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There are a few ways to go with the background further. Having lived in Southern Ergoth and watched the land be twisted by the Dragon Overlord, has learned to survive dispite the odds by relying on the self.
Alternatively the Kagonesti could have been taken from Southern Ergoth at an early age on or around the War of the Lance to either Qualinost or Silvanost as an 'endentured servant' *cough*slave*cough*. Grew up as part of this new servant class. Not allowed to carry a weapon of anytype an older Kagonesti that was also taken to be 'civilized' taught the younger Kagonesti the martial arts so that he may someday escape. Now that the elves are in exile the Kagonesti is free and trying to find their place in the world.
An Monastic order dedicated to Zebiom need not have been created by Zeb. As everyone has already said there isn't a problem with an individual monk worshiping a CE deity, well what if that individual monk decided to open a monastary, this individual mortal with free will starts the order dedicated to his rather chaotic deity. Zeb for whatever reason smiles upon the monk. Let us not forget that Zeb's son Ariakan was extremely lawful but she supported him.
I thought the monk class was limited in that they could only be lawful characters. It's this reason you can't have monk barbarians. Barbarians cannot be lawful, and Monks cannot be anything else. They can be anything within the lawful breakdown though. Lawful good, lawful evil, lawful neutral.
Rhys still believes in the teachings of Majere, and reveres him. He doesn't worship Zeboim though. They are helping each other to accomplish goals that are very similar. To that extent, Zeboim has changed the colors of his clothes and talks to him occasionally. That's about the extent of their relationship so far.
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Does this Dark Disciple trilogy focus on Mina ? It seems that alot of the trilogy includes this character named Rhys. I am actually hoping that Mina is not focused on heavily.
She's the dark disciple of the title.
Mina is a compelling character in this book, but then again I thought she was a compelling character in the War of Souls and you didn't, so there's really no way to know what you're going to think of it.
Cheers,
Cam
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