“Monks use rigorous combat training and mental discipline to align themselves with the multiverse and focus their internal reservoirs of power. Different Monks conceptualize this power in various ways: as breath, energy, life force, essence, or self, for example. Whether channeled as a striking display of martial prowess or as a subtler manifestation of defense and speed, this power infuses all that a Monk does”.
Introduction
To be a Monk is to strive for balance and internal harmony through disciplined training, turning your body into a living weapon by harnessing the aetheric power of the multiverse which flows through all living things in a cosmic web of life. When it comes time to create your character it is important to consider: What makes your Monk unique?
What makes a Monk?
Monks are particularly well known for their exceptional skill in unarmed combat, utilising the principles of martial arts to defeat their adversaries with techniques perfected through years of rigorous training. Some Monks also make use of certain weapons like the staff if sufficient training was encouraged in the teachings of their order.
Monks do not wear armour, instead relying on their deft reflexes to avoid enemy attacks and escape danger. The smooth, flowing movements required by the Monk’s training are severely impeded by armor of any kind which restricts their body in a way which has become anathema to them.
However, it is the Monk’s ability to channel their internal power which truly defines them as exceptional individuals. Monks are able to harness a “well of extraordinary energy” within themselves to perform incredible acts of skill and speed in their adventures. However, drawing from this “well” drains the Monk for a short time, and frequent rest is required to replenish this power by centering the mind and body in meditation.
Creating Your Monk
So, now we know what makes a Monk, let’s discuss the key choices you’ll make when creating your martial arts master. How your Monk gained their abilities, personal philosophy on their training, to what extent they conform to (or differ from) existing martial artist tropes in popular media, and why did they become an adventurer?
How did your Monk learn to hone their skills and tap into these extraordinary abilities?
This is the foundation of the class and integral to the character! Try to picture your Monk’s pre-adventuring life and see what comes to mind. When did they begin their training? Who trained them (if anyone)? What fuelled the desire to hone their mind,, body, and spirit into a conduit for the energies of the multiverse? These questions don’t need definitive answers right away, but taking some time to consider them now will begin to create a picture of the character in your imagination, and spur you on to add more details as they occur to you.
What is their personal philosophy?
Some Monks live an ascetic life of disciplined routine and minimalism to train themselves to deepen their connection with the multiverse and their internal power, free of distraction. Conversely, other Monks embrace the chaotic nature of life, eschewing rigid tradition and routine to experience the messy, glorious reality of life in the multiverse. Your Monk may choose either of these extremes, or live somewhere in between them. Their personal philosophy will shape their world-view in a significant way, particularly how they react to the unpredictable life of an adventurer.
Martial Art Tropes
Martial artists have been part of popular culture for many decades, and you have a wealth of sources to draw from to inspire your own. Whilst this list is not exhaustive consider the following: Martial arts movies, Anime, and Real-life martial arts demonstrations/competitions. Like your Monk’s personal philosophy, they do not have to be a binary adherent to one choice or the other. The most unique and interesting characters are created by using existing tropes as a foundation before building on them in some way.
For example, let’s say that you love the movies of Bruce Lee and want to recreate the legendary prowess of Tang Lung from The Way of The Dragon. Your Monk might be unimpressed by the fast-pace of cities, and prefer a more pastoral setting. They may fight to defend the oppressed people of the world, choosing to seek adventure across the land to help where they can whilst improving their fighting skills.
Conversely, your Monk could subvert the trope of the disciplined, methodical warrior and be a self-centred egotist intent on proving their skill to the world. Johnny Cage from the Mortal Kombat franchise would be a good template for this character, and your Monk may also crave the fame and fortune which accompanies high-profile adventurers. However, unless you want to outright copy the character, consider what unique traits or habits your Monk may have which sets them apart from your inspiration.
Consider how the character differs from your chosen tropes. Perhaps your Monk loves to gamble, favouring games of dexterity like five-finger-fillet (in which they have a significant advantage) to fund their adventuring lifestyle. How might this affect their worldview, and the connections they create? People don’t like losing, and angering the wrong people is dangerous indeed!
Monk Subclasses: Your Warrior Creed
All Monks follow a Warrior Creed which defines their particular style of training and martial prowess. Though the foundational principles of each subclass have similarities, there are also many distinctions between them and it is important to consider this when creating your Monk. When choose your subclass, ask yourself why and how their training as Monk took them toward one creed over another.
Warrior of Mercy
Warriors of Mercy manipulate the life force of others. These Monks are wandering physicians, but they bring a swift end to their enemies.
Following the traditions of balance and harmony in all things, Warrior of Mercy Monks walk the line between life and death, being custodians of each. If your Monk follows this creed, then consider how it affects their core beliefs. How do they feel about taking a life? Do they need to justify such an act to themselves or do they see death as a natural part of life which comes to all living things? In a combat-oriented game like D&D this is crucial for effectively roleplaying such a character.
Warrior of Shadow
Warriors of Shadow practice stealth and subterfuge, harnessing the power of the Shadowfell.
Warrior of Shadow Monks use the darkness to their advantage, cloaking themselves in the gloom to stalk their foes before striking like a hidden blade. If you’ve ever wanted to play a ninja in D&D, you can’t get closer than this Creed. How did your Monk gain their affinity for the shadows? Who trained them in the ways of darkness and fear? Consider these questions to elevate your Monk from a faceless shadow into a nuanced warrior of the night.
Warrior of the Elements
Warriors of the Elements tap into the power of the Elemental Planes. Harnessing their supernatural focus, these Monks momentarily tame the energy of the Elemental Chaos to empower themselves in and out of battle.
Warrior of the Elements Monks must balance multiplanar power within themselves to wield it effectively. These Monks in particular are tested to their limits, training themselves to harness such potent forces and direct them through disciplined action and focus. These Monks do not control the elemental energy they wield, so much as they guide it to flow through them as a channel.
How did your Monk attain this incredible ability? Who trained them to perform such dangerous techniques and why? Consider also how your Monk’s elemental connection manifests for the character. Perhaps their hair takes on the properties of whichever element they are channeling, or their skin changes color to reflect different energies.
Warrior of the Open Hand
Warriors of the Open Hand are masters of unarmed combat. They learn techniques to push and trip their opponents and manipulate their own energy to protect themselves from harm.
Warrior of the Open Hand Monks are the quintessential martial-arts hero, albeit with a fantastical twist. These Monks rely on their years of rigorous training in martial combat to overcome obstacles, often using an enemy’s strength against them. Did your Monk have a role model who taught them all they know like The Karate Kid? Perhaps they began to train out of necessity to protect their family or wider community from bandits who vastly outnumbered them? Open Hand Monks are far from mundane, but it could be argued they are the most grounded of the traditional Warrior Creeds.
Conclusion
By now you should have a clear picture of your Monk in your mind: who they are, how they trained (and with whom), and their Warrior Creed. If not, don’t worry! Have a chat with your GM and ask them to help you create a Monk who fits into the game you all want to play, fits into the world you’re playing in, and has connections with other player characters. Happy adventuring!
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