How about a monk mercenary?

[tipttt]

Would it be against a monk's alignment if it were a mercenary for hire or an enforcer for some shadowy organization like the shadow thieves?

How would that work in the world?

 

[Thrallherd]

I would say that is against a Monk's alignment. However, you could homebrew it.

 

[Dandu]

Would it be against a monk's alignment if it were a mercenary for hire or an enforcer for some shadowy organization like the shadow thieves?

How would that work in the world?

Seems perfectly reasonable to me. Remember Grimgnaw from Neverwinter Nights?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Mercenaries are Lawful, as in that they follow a code of conduct that keeps them in business, that keeps prospective employers trusting that they will do exactly what they say they will do* for the price they charge, otherwise they'd not be trusted and therefore not have business.

*(Unless they can get away with it.)

With that said, Mercenary mentality generally sounds Lawful Neutral to me. Which a Monk can be. I see no difficulty with this at all.

 

[was]

a LN merc monk could be interesting..maybe the order keeps the good/evil balance in check and hires out to one side or the other..depending on who appears stronger

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

a LN merc monk could be interesting..maybe the order keeps the good/evil balance in check and hires out to one side or the other..depending on who appears stronger

A Mercenary could hire out services for payment other than money. Upholding an ideal, or simply taking opportunities to prove and test one's strength could both be strong motivations for a Monk Merc.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

LE is also a valid alignment for monks, and the mercenary/enforcer role would be a valid path for one so trained.

"You made an agreement, didn't you."

"Yes, Brother Ash, but..."

"But nothing- you made an agreement, and you did not honor it. This brings shame and dishonor upon you and your family. Fortunately, I know a ceremony that will cleanse the dishonorable stain from your lineage. It will require a...small sacrifice...on your part. Or should I say...of your part..."

"What? NO!"

"Tut. Tut. A finger should suffice. This time."

 

[Herobizkit]

Lawful Evil is the best alignment to be in D&D. Makes sense that a Monk can be LE.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Lawful Evil is the best alignment to be in D&D. Makes sense that a Monk can be LE.

Yep.

Jet LE, Bruce LE, Cung LE, LE Sang, Phan LE, Viet LE...

 

[marcielle]

I think I read somewhere that Lawful part of alignment means you simply follow A set of laws, not nescesarily the generally accepted set. You could set your own laws and so long as you follow them(and they are more orless consistent), you are considered lawful.