Turanil
First Post
This is also what I do: keep the game-mechanics as they are, rename the abilities, and give a totally different background description. I don't think there is really a need for creating a new monk class. Here is two exemples of what I did for a Celtic campaign setting where indeed monks had nothing to do (at least as Shaolin martial artists...).Umbran said:
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Monks are clearly an oriental type of character class, and have nothing to do in the Celtic world. As such, the monk class should not be allowed. Nevertheless, some GMs do not care about historical consistency in their games, or do not want to restrict their players’ choices. In this case, we may find ways to keep the monk class, and turn it into a character fitting with the Celtic legends. However the Shaolin archetype of monk honing mind and body in the monastery, definitely cannot apply. Instead, we propose two characters who may use the monk’s game mechanics in a Celtic society. But remember: while the game mechanics are still those of monks, the theme of the class (and the names of its abilities) is new. This shouldn't be considered a monk anymore!
-- Laoch Taibhse (“ghost warrior”): Always operating in the dark of the night, this evil character (typically a part-fomorian – i.e.: half-orc) works as an assassin for some otherworldly entity. He gets his unnatural fighting skills and other abilities from the demon he serves, during ritual trances carried out in the deep of foggy nights… And so, his hands and feet turn to talons when he fights, reverting back to normal thereafter; while his legs seem to lengthen and change to that of an animal when he runs, reverting back to normal afterwards. However, all of this usually wields a price, as the more he gains of such powers, the more he becomes enslaved to his supernatural mentor's will.
-- Witches of Kaer Lloyw: These legendary witches are known to train young men who were promised to a heroic destiny by fate (like Cuchulainn trained by the witch Scatach), not only in the arts of war, but also in love and magic. However, they are witches, not muscled warriors wielding great axes and shields. As such, they owe their mysterious art of combat to magic and other secrets only known to their kind. These women are thus rumored to strike their opponents with their bare hands better than with many weapons, a thing of witchcraft indeed. Others tell of these witches being able to dismiss arrows shoot at them with a gesture of the hand. So, they are often called Gaisge Buitseach Maighdeann , which roughly means: “maiden able to perform incredible feat of arms through witchcraft”.
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