My First D&D Character [Archive] - Wizards Community

My First D&D Character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BoysBoysBoys
12-09-06, 02:04 PM I just played my first game of D&D a couple of days ago. I had alot of fun but I was having alot of trouble roleplaying my character. My character is a human monk that is lawful neutral and worships St. Cubhert. The other players are a hafling rogue, dwarf fighter, and a elf sorcerer. Our adventure started in a tavern in a small town in the mountains and the first thing that I do is sit at the bar and order a drink. One of the players looked at me and said do monks drink ale? so I felt kinda stupid. I guess I just need some tips on playing my character and some help making a background story.
Adolph_Kheebler
12-09-06, 02:52 PM There is nothing against monks drinking. Otherwise the drunken master prestige class could never exist. He was being stupid.
Kitaki
12-09-06, 05:31 PM Unless you take the Vow of Abstinence from the Book of Exalted Deeds (don't even look it up since u've only played 1 game) anyone can drink alcahol.
BoysBoysBoys
12-09-06, 06:03 PM Since most of our players are new to the game we are only using the three core books, so I had no idea that I could become a drunken master. That does sound really cool though, So I could be a human monk that is an alcoholic? I dont really know much lore so could someone help me make a background story?
TheAnthroDM
12-09-06, 08:09 PM Since most of our players are new to the game we are only using the three core books, so I had no idea that I could become a drunken master. That does sound really cool though, So I could be a human monk that is an alcoholic? I dont really know much lore so could someone help me make a background story?Drunken Master is in Complete Warrior if you're interested.
Doomed_Penguin
12-09-06, 08:26 PM Don't listen to these guys, they're talking about stuff you won't learn about for a couple play-sessions at least.

As for monks and drinking, monks just usually aren't portrayed as drinkers. Not that they can't (and you aren't stupid for doing it), just that alcoholic monks are uncommon. A typical monk would be much like a master of Karate or some other martial art would be, i.e. he would treat his body like a temple, and would rarely be tempted by something that would affect his mind or decision-making process; such as alcohol. However, there is nothing wrong with a monk drinking, it just goes against the stereotype of the very strict and self-disciplined monk.
Kitaki
12-10-06, 02:18 AM Don't listen to these guys, they're talking about stuff you won't learn about for a couple play-sessions at least.

All I mentioned was the only concrete mechanic telling him that a player cannot drink alcahol. You you are correct that a monk is more likely to take it in moderation, but there is nothing stopping him.
Adolph_Kheebler
12-13-06, 11:50 PM Yes. A stereotypical monk probably wouldn't drink but I think playing stereotypes is boring anyway and defeats the purpose of the game. Way to go for breaking the stereotype.
Araciel
12-14-06, 05:26 AM breaking stereotypes isn't the only theme of D&D and indeed in most ways you will always be playing a stereotype...usig a sword? casting fireball?

anyway

a monk can drink...it is up to you what kind of code of conduct your monk has, but a lot of people would say that monks wouldn't drink normally, as was stated before...though some might consider being drunk a test of their mental focus, to overcome the effects of alcohol and function well anyway. alcohol could be seen as a poison, and monks eventually become immune to poison!
Dudeamis
12-14-06, 10:07 AM Wow, I can't even remember my first D&D chara. I was the DM for all my 2.0 games, so I know my first PC chara was in 3.0. I think it was a dwarven barbarian named Brewfiend.

One of our groups most infamous battles was against an evil monk temple. Our DM misread the wholeness of body ability so that the monks could heal hpx2 damage not lvlx2 damage and it ended up being an incredibly long fight, as one would imagine from fighting a dozen or so mid-level monks with 300% effective hp. We had a handful of dwarven warriors with us at the time all lvl 1 warriors. The amazing part was, 2 of our dwarves survived with 1hp each and the rest remained undamaged and not a single party member was lost. Thanks to some awesome rolling and our former rules lawyer having a real strong handle on his gish.
ViperJock_StimJunkie
12-14-06, 05:09 PM Monks do not all nesicarily have to be like "budist monks" and follow a paladin like code of conduct being pacifist or what have you.

Monks come from all races and have different masters or trainers even different styles. After leaving "master" your personal code of conduct can govern you.

Obviously as an ingame example the drunken master proves a different path as the guys/gals said above. and drunken boxing either drunk or sober :P is even a real life style.

need more examples ... Go rent/see/but Jet Lee's "final" movie Fearless.
what does he do every time he whoops some one ? he goes and gets drunk!

Above all ... it is YOUR character. and as long as its not too disruptive to the game or other players do what you like. Come up with likes or dislikes for your character try to imagine some goals ... short term and long for him/her.

Why did you become a monk?

Do you like being a monk?

If you want to play a fat drunken monk go right a head, if your monk idea is more body is my temple and eat only veggies and drink water so be it. But you dont need to go to extremes mixe em match em and play like you want.

Its a Game ... have fun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BoysBoysBoys 12-09-06, 02:04 PM	I just played my first game of D&D a couple of days ago. I had alot of fun but I was having alot of trouble roleplaying my character. My character is a human monk that is lawful neutral and worships St. Cubhert. The other players are a hafling rogue, dwarf fighter, and a elf sorcerer. Our adventure started in a tavern in a small town in the mountains and the first thing that I do is sit at the bar and order a drink. One of the players looked at me and said do monks drink ale? so I felt kinda stupid. I guess I just need some tips on playing my character and some help making a background story.
Adolph_Kheebler 12-09-06, 02:52 PM	There is nothing against monks drinking. Otherwise the drunken master prestige class could never exist. He was being stupid.
Kitaki 12-09-06, 05:31 PM	Unless you take the Vow of Abstinence from the Book of Exalted Deeds (don't even look it up since u've only played 1 game) anyone can drink alcahol.
BoysBoysBoys 12-09-06, 06:03 PM	Since most of our players are new to the game we are only using the three core books, so I had no idea that I could become a drunken master. That does sound really cool though, So I could be a human monk that is an alcoholic? I dont really know much lore so could someone help me make a background story?
TheAnthroDM 12-09-06, 08:09 PM	Since most of our players are new to the game we are only using the three core books, so I had no idea that I could become a drunken master. That does sound really cool though, So I could be a human monk that is an alcoholic? I dont really know much lore so could someone help me make a background story?Drunken Master is in Complete Warrior if you're interested.
Doomed_Penguin 12-09-06, 08:26 PM	Don't listen to these guys, they're talking about stuff you won't learn about for a couple play-sessions at least. As for monks and drinking, monks just usually aren't portrayed as drinkers. Not that they can't (and you aren't stupid for doing it), just that alcoholic monks are uncommon. A typical monk would be much like a master of Karate or some other martial art would be, i.e. he would treat his body like a temple, and would rarely be tempted by something that would affect his mind or decision-making process; such as alcohol. However, there is nothing wrong with a monk drinking, it just goes against the stereotype of the very strict and self-disciplined monk.
Kitaki 12-10-06, 02:18 AM	Don't listen to these guys, they're talking about stuff you won't learn about for a couple play-sessions at least. All I mentioned was the only concrete mechanic telling him that a player cannot drink alcahol. You you are correct that a monk is more likely to take it in moderation, but there is nothing stopping him.
Adolph_Kheebler 12-13-06, 11:50 PM	Yes. A stereotypical monk probably wouldn't drink but I think playing stereotypes is boring anyway and defeats the purpose of the game. Way to go for breaking the stereotype.
Araciel 12-14-06, 05:26 AM	breaking stereotypes isn't the only theme of D&D and indeed in most ways you will always be playing a stereotype...usig a sword? casting fireball? anyway a monk can drink...it is up to you what kind of code of conduct your monk has, but a lot of people would say that monks wouldn't drink normally, as was stated before...though some might consider being drunk a test of their mental focus, to overcome the effects of alcohol and function well anyway. alcohol could be seen as a poison, and monks eventually become immune to poison!
Dudeamis 12-14-06, 10:07 AM	Wow, I can't even remember my first D&D chara. I was the DM for all my 2.0 games, so I know my first PC chara was in 3.0. I think it was a dwarven barbarian named Brewfiend. One of our groups most infamous battles was against an evil monk temple. Our DM misread the wholeness of body ability so that the monks could heal hpx2 damage not lvlx2 damage and it ended up being an incredibly long fight, as one would imagine from fighting a dozen or so mid-level monks with 300% effective hp. We had a handful of dwarven warriors with us at the time all lvl 1 warriors. The amazing part was, 2 of our dwarves survived with 1hp each and the rest remained undamaged and not a single party member was lost. Thanks to some awesome rolling and our former rules lawyer having a real strong handle on his gish.
ViperJock_StimJunkie 12-14-06, 05:09 PM	Monks do not all nesicarily have to be like "budist monks" and follow a paladin like code of conduct being pacifist or what have you. Monks come from all races and have different masters or trainers even different styles. After leaving "master" your personal code of conduct can govern you. Obviously as an ingame example the drunken master proves a different path as the guys/gals said above. and drunken boxing either drunk or sober :P is even a real life style. need more examples ... Go rent/see/but Jet Lee's "final" movie Fearless. what does he do every time he whoops some one ? he goes and gets drunk! Above all ... it is YOUR character. and as long as its not too disruptive to the game or other players do what you like. Come up with likes or dislikes for your character try to imagine some goals ... short term and long for him/her. Why did you become a monk? Do you like being a monk? If you want to play a fat drunken monk go right a head, if your monk idea is more body is my temple and eat only veggies and drink water so be it. But you dont need to go to extremes mixe em match em and play like you want. Its a Game ... have fun.