What is the general difference between a Monk and Mystic

[Escuro]

Not in terms of how they play or anything, but lore wise I guess. How do their powers and the source thereof differ outside of the game? Are mystics just monks that use magic instead of Ki?

 

[Leatherhead]

Ki is a form of Magic, which is native to the world that the Monk lives in. The default setting (Forgotten Realms) calls this magic interface "The Weave"

Monks make careful study of a magical energy that most monastic traditions call ki. This energy is an element of the magic that suffuses the multiverse—specifically, the element that flows through living bodies. Monks harness this power within themselves to create magical effects and exceed their bodies’ physical capabilities, and some of their special attacks can hinder the flow of ki in their opponents. Using this energy, monks channel uncanny speed and strength into their unarmed strikes. As they gain experience, their martial training and their mastery of ki gives them more power over their bodies and the bodies of their foes.

Mystics are unique among the classes, because they explicitly do not use The Weave, or anything that resembles it. Their "magic" comes from inside of themselves, as was first inspired by what is essentially the cosmic source code, found in The Far Realm.

Psionics is a source of power that originates from within a creature’s mind, allowing it to augment its physical abilities and affect the minds of other creatures.... Psionics indirectly originates from the Far Realm, a dimension outside the bounds of the known multiverse. The Far Realm has its own alien laws of physics and magic. When its influence extends to a world, the Far Realm invariably spawns horrific monsters and madness as it bends reality to its own rules.

As the laws of reality twist and turn, individual minds can be awakened to the cosmic underpinnings that dictate the form and nature of reality. The tumult caused by the Far Realm creates echoes that can disturb and awaken minds that would otherwise slumber. Such awakened creatures look upon the world in the same way that creatures existing in three dimensions might look upon a two-dimensional realm. They see possibilities, options, and connections that are unfathomable to those with a more limited view of reality.

 

[Xeviat]

In my opinion, Monks and Mystics should both be using Ki. 4E hit the nail on the head by making the Monk a psionic class, but psionics being tied to Far Realm muddies that. But "magic which comes from inside of themselves" sounds a lot like Monks and Sorcerers to me.

I'm blending them in my games.

 

[Tallifer]

I play a Monk when I want to roleplay someone like Friar Tuck or the red robed monks from "Tooth and Claw." I play a Mystic when I want to play a Bene Gesserit like the child Alia.

 

[Escuro]

Sounds like a Mystic is just a bit of a different sorcerer from that description.