101 Non-Asian Monk Styles

[Roland Delacroix]

14) an order of philosophers, mathematicians and healers who study vital points and chi centers in the body. Similar to greek/roman philosophers, they never practice fighting but with their study of physics and the human body they know that touching THERE will cause alot of damage and pain. They also know that by standing HERE and moving like THIS their opponent couldn't possibly strike them as well (bonus to AC).

 

[Tonguez]

As I said in the Other Thread

1. Conan the Monk. The Enigma of Steel teachers that Flesh is Stronger than Steel. The Weapon is only as strong as the Hand that weilds it. A Philosophy of Action not Intellectualisation (LN)

2. Hashashins - Hashish using Aesthetics trained as fanatical killers. (LE)

3. The Whirling Dervish - give a Dervish a tulwar and send them spinning

4. The War Dancer (Capoeira-style) Use this in an African setting a nation of escaped slaves whose dancing is deadly

And Savate is 'French' Kickboxing (combines Boxing, Fencing techniques with the roundhouse kick once used in Naval Training)

Of course both Boxing and Wrestling are also legitimate martial arts

 

[megamania]

Looking for non-asian fighting styles? Check out "The Quest". Few of these are strictly asian origin. The brazilian dance style is a personal favorite since it dealing with grace as much as hitting power.

 

[Benben]

The Mythic Hero: The central figure of a many myths who is capable of incredible athletic feats and ability to resist the charm and curses of evil magicians.

Hercules wrestled the Nemean lion to death using his awesome strength and skill.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu, with their wrestling skills and semi-divine stature make excellent Monk archetypes.

Cuchulainn was trained by the Warrior-Goddess Scathach, and he resisted the curse that affected the rest of the the men of Ulster.

 

[DM_Matt]

Looking for non-asian fighting styles? Check out "The Quest". Few of these are strictly asian origin. The brazilian dance style is a personal favorite since it dealing with grace as much as hitting power.

That would be called Coepira or something like that.

 

[Enforcer]

That would be called Coepira or something like that.

Capoeira. It was developed by African slaves, and thus has many movements designed to be used when ones hands and/or feet are shackled. It mimics dance because telling the overseers that they were dancing was the best way to hide that they were actually training for combat.

It's also really, really cool looking.

 

[Praeco]

That would be called Coepira or something like that.

It's spelled Capoeira, I beleive... it was developed by Brazilian slaves. To hide the fact they were developing a fighting style, they blended the technique with dance moves.

 

[takyris]

15) The Mountain Men. In a mountain-oriented wilderness campaign, the party is definitely going to need:

A tracker -- Ranger
A healer -- Cleric or Druid
A sniper, trapper, and scout -- Rogue

And a combat specialist who can climb where others can't, survive falls that would kill an ordinary man, and fight like a mountain cat, without armor or even heavy weaponry. A combat specialist who can climb, jump, and balance his way through the treacherous mountain passes.

Sounds like a monk to me.

-Tacky

 

[KingDobbs]

16) Inspired by the Eastern Roman/Byzantine "holy men", the famous "pillar saints": Concerned on the prevalence of a world where man must fight the forces of evil alone, a solitary bastion against the demons of the world, these men (and women) hone their minds and bodies to fight the battle. A good wa of summing up the philosophy: "I practice meditation and prayer to defeat the demons within, and learn the art of the warrior to defeat the demons without."

edit: changed number to reflect post

 

[dave_o]

17. A Boxer/Professional Fighter. While this may not apply to wilderness settings, a professional fighter would work nicely in a cityscape. He studies fighting unarmed, obviously, as well as the ability to move quickly, and roll with the punches.

Maybe change things such as the Slow Fall ability to simply making the guy so tough the fall just doesn't hurt.

And admit it, PUNCHING an arrow out of the air (Deflect Arrows) would be so cool.