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Kanya Skulls
Acolyte
17 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2010 : 23:07:19
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I'm going to play such character in a couple of days and I would like to know your opinions about this idea, and to get some suggestions on how to role-play her. I don't have anything specific myself. Thanks in advance.
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Disclaimer: I spewed all of this out off the top of my head and make no claim whatsoever that any of it is accurate or even correct. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
    
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2010 : 23:18:29
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I got two words for you -
Kama Sutra.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
    
USA
3750 Posts |
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Diffan
Great Reader
    
USA
4487 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 02:52:51
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When I read the topic, I sorta got the image of Kara from the show Legend of the Seeker lol. Not at all Exalted, but the fighting style is sorta appropriate. As far as role-play goes, I'd say she would be someone who's very sensual, knowing physiology and using her Ki with interesting.....techniques and finesse.
I see her as a sultry, seductive, and completly in-control woman who's somewhat aggressive in any pursuit she takes (sorta like Danica, Cadderly's wife from the Cleric Quintet series).
As far as mechanics go, I've got some pointers for you:
- Vow of Poverty feat.....It's a TRAP!! I know you want an Exalted character but Monks are very magic item dependant to be any worth. The benefts of that Vow (or any others IMO are too much trouble).
- Boost Dex, Wis, and Con. And take the bonus feat Stunning Fist. There is waay more support for this style of Monk than most of the others, AND you can trade Stunning Fist attempts for additional benefits!
- I'd stay away from the Celebrant of Sharress prestige class. First, BAB is poor and very, very bad for a Monk. 2nd, 1 good save progression (and it's Will to boot), something your monk is already awesome at. 3rd, it's limited spell selection is poor and it's in an Ability most Monks dump. Now, this isn't to say your Charisma won't be high (as a worshipper of Sharess, I'm assuming it's highter than normal) but I don't think it's worth the effort.
- HERE!! is a quick Monk min/max guide that might help you with feat selection, builds, and magic Item choices.
I hope some of this helps, and if you give us a little more info about the character (class/levels/Region of Faerun) we can be more helpful for your character optimization and development!
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Ayrik
Great Reader
    
Canada
8027 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 04:27:18
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Actually I (and probably a fair number of monks) don't entirely agree with your particular preferences in mechanics, Diffan. Each monk, or at least each order of monks, must make their own judgements. Many monks will no doubt view Vow of Poverty, for example, as perfectly valid - to them it is those who cannot maintain such vows who are caught in the "trap", and this vow is one facet of their discipline which allows them to be "free" of the "traps" which plague those outside their order.
Although, yes, I'm inclined to think followers of Sharess would be hedonistic and thus appreciate decadence, wealth, and pleasurably sensate finery - they would seem quite disinclined to even consider a Vow of Poverty. Any sort of vow of Chastity, Abstinence, or Ascetism is absolutely out of the question in this religion. They would not have such a strong affinity for training as "combat optimized" monk builds, their min/max choices would likely emphasize a very high charisma, entertainment, performance, and social skills. Not all monks nor all gods are aggressive and battle-ready, Sharess and those who follow her most certainly are not.
This is not to say that these monks would be wimpy pushovers; just that an overwhelming part of their fundamental beliefs would probably involve sharing hippy love and using kinder, gentler methods of persuasion before resorting to combative confrontation. As an example: Zen monks are introspective, contemplative, and generally quite peaceful; yet Zen monks within the Shaolin orders are legendary for honing themselves and their combat abilities to brutal perfection.
If a monk seeks to become a hand-to-hand killing machine then he would be better served by following a god like Tempus than Sharess. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 08 Dec 2010 04:48:24 |
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Diffan
Great Reader
    
USA
4487 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 05:14:01
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@ Arik,
The Monk suggestions were purly from a mechanical stand point. I'm a very firm believer in separation of rules and role-play. Or, more precisely the role-play doesn't have to be intertwined with how you roll-play your character or the mechanical choices you make based on the history, backstory, or role-play style you choose for your character.
Vow of Poverty, again from a mechanics view-point, doesn't offer the benefits (IMO) that magical items can offer. Many people see all the benefits of that Vow and go "Ooohhh, aaahhh" before understanding that it has the potential to hinder his or her character. And I feel your correct, a Monk dedicated to Sharess wouldn't probably choose a Vow for the reasons you've given. But Kanya mentioned an Exalted Monk and these warning lights and siren calls went off about the Vow of Poverty. It may be fitting for some Monks role playing wise, but Im not of the style of thinking that feats are required or necessary to make a character more role player-ish.
As for Min/Max, that phrase really comes off as a power-gamers catch phrase. It's not a "this has to be Min/Max'ed or it stinks" character, but you can decide which options might be better (again mechanically) over another. For example Stunning Fist has more options and it's a great choice for a Monk as opposed to Improved Grapple, which I feel requires a specific build to make any general use out of. That's not to say that you can't take Imp. Grapple, but I feel it's the weaker choice of the two.
Where the real role play needs to come in is the Skill list and bigger emphasis on the social skills. As a dedicated patron of Sharess I think Diplomacy, Perform, Sense Motive are more important than combat focused skills such as Balance, Hide, Move Silently.
But more info on what sort of Monk the OP is looking to play is required to give better advise. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
    
Canada
8027 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 05:42:24
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True enough, Diffan. And I'd tweak all the "powergaming" combat bonuses I could accumulate if my objective was a dangerously violent monk who's going to spend more time on the battlefield than off it. No monk of Tempus is going to waste time talking when he can just punch something instead.
Yes, the OP hasn't given us a lot of information to work with. The choice of Sharess does suggest that "soft" role-playing considerations are probably more important than raw damage per round. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:00:52
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You could make her more of a martial arts version of Inara, from Firefly/Serenity... |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
    
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:41:44
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quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
You could make her more of a martial arts version of Inara, from Firefly/Serenity...
Which would work perfectly, I agree. There's official stats for her as well, as part of the Serenity RPG. They'll need d20 tweaking, of course, but I can pull them from my copy, if Kanya's interested. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
    
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 07:27:25
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My two bits on the RP side- Balance might indeed come in handy for this pc, as Sharessen would likely be good dancers, and very graceful fighters as well. Take the Tumble skill and perhaps a couple of Craft and knowledge (herbalism and local) skills for Sharessen perfume, oils, and other sensual uses, and the local for knowing local fest-halls, wines, best Inns, most comfortable and pleasing clothiers, etc. Movement Mastery feat would be good for avoiding difficult terrain in fights or navigating in a busy tavern. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
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Kanya Skulls
Acolyte
17 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 14:10:40
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@ Diffan Sorry, but I didn't ask for min/maxing. Mechanicly my character is almost ready and I already took VoP. She's an aasimar (lesser) Monk 10 / Initiate of Pistis Sophia 2. Her stats are as follows: Str 12 Dex 20 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 18 Cha 15
@ Arik Perhabs you don't know, but Sharess is just a faerunian name of Bast and Bast was kinda a warrior goddess in Mulhorand. She's not just about pleasure.
@ All I was just asking about role-playing ideas, not optimization. |
Disclaimer: I spewed all of this out off the top of my head and make no claim whatsoever that any of it is accurate or even correct. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
    
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 17:10:45
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Understood- that's why I mentioned the skills you might use to help role-play her. Not so much for checks, but ideas for things to emphasize. As far as role-playing itself goes, you might consider giving her some sort of association with cats- maybe she takes in strays as a way of paying tribute to Sharess, or runs or works in a fest-hall, or better yet, in a shelter for "coin-lasses" who are at the low (read- dangerous) end of the spectrum. she could be a massuese in her normal daily life, perfumer, or perhaps she works or has worked as a seamstress for wealthy women. What region is she from? cultural background plays a big part in role-playing. with her high dex and decent charisma, int, and wisdom, she could be a dancer or courtesan, or perhaps an actress. Running with the cat idea for Sharess, she could be a temple guardian or care-taker for the temple's cats (cause Bast's temples ALWAYS had resident felines who were revered by the faithful). She might do work for the temple to better the treatment of felines (FRSPCA?) in the area. She might be a wine conesseur, exotic chef, or any number of things associated with pleasure of the senses. Anyway, those are some general starting points. Feel free to use any of them you like. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee) http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
    
Canada
8027 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 17:18:10
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Cats meowing all over the place in Sharess's temple? Aw, forget it, I'll have to stick with Sune. Allergic to cats. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
    
USA
3750 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 18:38:55
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quote: Originally posted by Kanya Skulls
@ All I was just asking about role-playing ideas, not optimization.
Well, you have my Inara suggestion...  |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2014 : 22:52:09
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Nothing to see here, just a spammer practicing thread necromancy. Post removed. |
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