Vow of Poverty Monk (Dragonlance) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Vow of Poverty Monk (Dragonlance) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Karm Hundredfists
04-12-06, 04:10 PM Hiya, here's my character, I'm looking for ideas to help flesh him out.

Name: Karm (Hundredfists?)
Class: Monk
Religion: Majere
Race: Human

Things of Note:
Vow of Poverty -
Cannot own material possessions except simple weapons (dagger), simple clothes (monk's robes, rope sandles), food for one day, nonmagic sack.

Feats that affect character plot: Nymph's kiss - I have to have maintain an intimate relationship with a good aligned fey.

OK, the story so far... (subject to change without notice, or with notice... not sure)

Karm was found by a dryad lying in his swaddling clothes when he was only 1 year old. The dryad, Olma, could not leave the boy alone to die in the wild so she took him and raised him until he was 8 years old. She taught him to speak common, Elven, and Sylvan, as well as teaching him the wisdom of the forest. Karm seldom came into contact with any being other than woodland creatures, but he often roamed far from Olma's tree and spied on the road that ran through the wood to the nearby monastary. When he asked Olma about the monastary she could not tell him anything, save that humans lived there and that they seldom came and went. Karm grew more and more curious until one day he hid very close to the road and saw a monk traveling along alone and lost in thought. When the monk had passed, Karm walked onto the road and hailed him, asking him where he was going and what was his name.

The monk's name was Paz and he was at the end of a long pilgrimage, returning to the Monastary of Majere. Karm walked with the monk a while, and he was impressed with Karm's knowledge and asked who his parents were. He said that Olma the Dryad had always cared for him and that he didn't know who his parents were. The monk invited him to visit the monastery whenever he liked, and bid him ask for him if he came. They parted and Karm ran swiftly back to Olma's tree.

When he told Olma his story, she was worried. She had grown to love the young child and he had become a part of her life. In her heart she knew though that this was the child's path and that he had to follow his destiny. She bid him go to the monastery and ask if they would accept him there, for it was time for him to learn the ways of his own world. It was a grievous parting for the two had become as Mother and son, but Karm promised that he would return whenever he could.

Karm journied to the Monastery and there he was received as an initiate. Paz mentored him in the ways of Majere, and Karm exceled at his studies. After years of training in the tenets of Majere: to seek peace within, to never be wicked, to lead by example and teach those who would fight against peace. To never raise a fist in anger unless it was to defend righteousness.

He understood these methods and applied them to his life, but socially he was rather inept, preferring the company of the older monks and clerics to those his own age. Karm and Paz maintained a deep friendship, and one day when Karm was about twelve he came across Paz practicing his martial technique, "Merciful Discipline." Karm asked to be shown the technique and Paz told him that it was not until one was 16 that one could be tested to learn the techniques of the Mantis.

Karm bravely approached Abbot Cortaen and asked to be tested. The abbot was intrigued by Karm, but said that he was too young. Karm humbly went away. But the next day he returned and asked again, to which the Abbot replied that he said he was too young. Karm said, "That is true, but today I am one day older, so I ask again. Please, test me." Cortaen laughed at the young boy's wisdom, and said, "Truly Karm, you are strong willed. I will allow you to take the test, but be warned that it is difficult. You will be pushed to your limit and beyond."

Karm began the test.

Test 1: Strength: Karm had to hold up a brick in each hand for one hour. Each day, Karm's sensai would add a pebble to the brick. Eventually Karm developed a great strength.

Test 2: Speed: Paz threw up 6 small rocks into the air. He caught them all with one hand. "As soon as you are able to do this, you will be prepared for your next test." After months of work, Karm was able to catch all 6 rocks in one hand and passed the test.

Test 3: Endurance: Karm was made to run for 1 hour straight. He had to complete a course around the temple. If he did not do so before the sundial reached its next mark, he would have to begin again. Once he could run for one hour without stopping, He was made to run for 2 hours. This continued until he could run for 3 hours in a row without stopping or stumbling.

Test 4: Karm stood before the Abbot, anxious to complete his training and begin his training within the order. The abbot spoke slowly, letting his words ring out as he said them, "Now, Karm. I will ask you a simple question, if you answer it correctly, then you may begin your training. If you fail, then you may never learn the ways of the Mantis..."

Karm's mind flashed over the past 5 years. He had shared many joyous moments at the temple, and he wanted nothing more than to impress the abbot and make Paz happy. But something deeper drove him on, Karm knew that Majere had a purpose for him, and he wanted nothing more than to please him. He felt that his ability to do what was required, hung in the balance. If he could not become one of Majere's monks then how could he ever make the journey that he knew was required of him?

The Abbot continued, "you have as long as you wish to complete this task, so do not answer hastily. Here is your question. What... is Truth?" Karm thought, and thought... and thought. After 3 years he finally felt ready to answer the question. He approached the abbot and said "Truth is not the answer to the question, truth is not what you find, truth is not what you strive for. Truth is here. Truth is the now. Truth... is the hummingbird that flutters outside the window of our temple." The hummingbird flew into the monastery and alighted on Karm's shoulder. The Abbot smiled and nodded. Karm began training in the arts of merciful discipline the next day.

By now, Karm was 21 years old and the youngest Initiate to ever be admitted for training. Karm spent the next 7 years of his life learning the ways of "merciful discipline." He excelled so much that he quickly bested many of his masters. Abbot Cortaen told him that it was time for him to be initiated as a monk of Majere. Karm completed the ritual and was tatooed with the mantis and rose that mark a monk of majere.

"Now Karm," said Abbot Cortaen, "you are ready to complete the path to Majere." You will take the sacred vow of poverty and begin your pilgrimage. May you find peace within.

Karm set out with nothing more then a day's worth of food, a dagger, his walking staff, his robes, and a length of rope to make his sandals. He ran all the way to Olma's tree and there he found her just as he had left. "I am sorry mother, that I did not return sooner."

Olma, looked at her son and smiled, "Time does not pass for me as it does for you my young son, were you gone a hundred years, you would find me as I am today, ready to receive you with open arms. You have grown into a fine young man, and the animals have brought me word of your progress. I am proud of you, my son."

Karm spent only a day relaxing under that tree with Olma, telling her of his quest and his training. When they parted, Olma told him that she wished to give him a gift. Karm reminded her of his vow of Poverty, to which Olma laughed and replied, "Material possessions may be taken away, I wish to give you a gift that will remain with you throughout your long life. At this, she bent down and kissed Karm on the lips. Warmth flowed through his body and he felt a deep understanding. "Now the wisdom of the forest is in you and I am a part of you forever. You will do great things, my son, and I know that you will find what you are looking for. Now go, and may all things see the light that lives inside of you."

With that, Karm left the tree, but the voice of Olma is with him always.

OK, that sort of just wrote itself. But do any of you have any ideas to flesh out the plot a bit? Or perhaps what Majere wants Karm to do? This adventure is taking place in Dragonlance during the Age of Mortals. I need to know where the Monastery is and how he got from there to Port Balifor (which is where the party is now).

Karm is a level 7 Human monk with the following stats.
Str 16
Dex 14
Con 18
Int 12
Wis 21
Cha 15

I don't want him to be a loner, I think that he should be very outgoing and people should like him, but I also think that he's very rigorous with adhering to his teachings, and tries to lead those he meets away from the paths that they have chosen if they do not honor life and peace.

EDIT: I made some changes to the tests, but the overall build remains the same. Let me know what you think.
Moon-Lancer
04-13-06, 06:09 PM i think the tests are a bit extreem, almost silly for a kid that age, but still i think its a good story. The nymphs kiss was nice too. I cant really think of anything to help your story with. Maybe you can post some of your ideas of what you want happen. I do better with something to bounce off of.

I created a vop druid background story if that helps you any. Its in my sig. (shameless plug) :)
Karm Hundredfists
04-14-06, 01:51 AM I've allready gotten a PM about the tests, and I will begin revising them immediately.

Ideas for the future: Despite having taken a Vow of Poverty, Majere wishes Karm to find an item of some significance, this should probably not have been found yet, but it will provide my DM with some good storyline for my introduction. Perhaps a very epic item that I will not find until much later in the campaign. Also I need a realm for the monastery to be in, if ANYONE is familiar with Dragonlance, I need to get from Area X (please, your input would be appreciated) to Port Balifor with a reasonable storyline inbetween.

The party consists of IIRC 4 Elves (Silvanesti), and a Kender

Elves
Swashbuckler
Cleric
Fighter
Wizard

Kender
Rogue

I guess my jumping off point would be "How does Karm get from Age 28 and level 1 in locale X to Port Balifor at age 33 and level 7, ready to team up with a group of adventurers, who are looking for a new homeland for the Elvish people."

OK, going back to change overly-dramatic, uber, 36-chamber style tests.
fricot_1
04-16-06, 03:09 PM from a strictly statistic point of view... i hate monks with vow of poverty :P
like they can mess a balor up and all... but after a while they seem a little cliche
maybe have him wield two masterwork kamas :)

otther than that i love the story.. elves adopting humans and teaching them to kick arce! (well how else coulda human learn eh? :confused: )
Karm Hundredfists
04-16-06, 10:36 PM Cliche????

"I am Caine, I will help you."
"That technique came from Shao-Lin!"
"Toad style, when its properly used, its almost invincible."

I know that they're cliche but I LOVE martial arts and the Vow of Poverty is a monumental change in character design without sacrificing too much from a statistical point of view. It also allows me not to rely on DMs placing treasure or mounds of gold.

But this isn't CO, this is CD, and I like my story so far...

Where'd you come up with ELVES from for christsakes?!?! Dryads are Fey, not elves! :P, hence the nymph's kiss. Anyways, I'm glad you like it. I thought it was interesting to combine elements of the traditional fantasy setting with the ascetic martial monk's lifestyle. Finally I LOVE the wording for Majere's favored weapon. "Merciful Discipline."
Need_A_Life
04-17-06, 07:11 AM Actually, elves in norse mythology covered the roles of dryads, nymphs, dwarves, succubi and a lot of other creatures... They had holes in their backs too (through those holes you could see the entire world :rolleyes: ), they drained the life of young men, lived underground, wrote in runes and walked around in the forest at night. Weird

Vow of Poverty is so funny. It just cracks me up to think of my halfling monk, who is the size of a human child, who could pummel our Half-dragon [weird race] Frenzied Berserker far into unconsciousness.

Also who would you focus your attacks on in a fight; the heavily armored warrior-type with a greatsword, he aged mage (throwing around fireballs every other second) or the halfling peasant with an attitude?

I also have a blast everytime someone uses Detect Magic as it gives me an excuse to say "I look like a friggin' artifact" [since abilities are based on HD, HD=Caster Level for purposes of Detect Magic :ayyyy!: ].

Watch Kong Fu Hustle and tell me that the final fight scene isn't extremely... fun, ridiculous and cool.
The_Shaman
04-17-06, 11:48 AM Well, to me the vow of poverty was MADE for monks (a shaolin monk with several sacks of gold, heavy warhorse, and heavily ensorcelled weapons, rings, amulets, boots and other trinkets doesn't quite fit my image of the class). Although, actually, it would thematically fit a paladin or cleric of a particular sort just as well.
It's just weird you can put your bonus attributes as you please. +6 to strength is a bit much.
fricot_1
04-17-06, 03:47 PM i really love vow of poverty... from a statistic AND roleplaying point of view. its just that too many people use it.
personally i would use it with a cleric and Vow of Nonviolence. a party healer to the max.
Karm Hundredfists
04-17-06, 06:22 PM If Vow of Poverty demanded that your stats be allocated a certain way then it would be inelligable for a lot of builds. I think that perhaps the reasoning behind it is that, by doing the things that you are good at without the help of items you have increased those scores that you use the most.

By the way, I believe that it's +8, +6, +4, +2 at level 20 :evillaugh so if stats are your thing then its quite nice (especially since they can't be sundered or dispelled etc...

There are a lot of really hazy rules around VoP though. I mean, under what circumstances CAN you use an item? Let's say you're the only one around and your companion is dying, can you use his cure serious wounds potion to save him? Can you use it on yourself if he's already dead can you drink it if you are almost dead? Can you use a really amazing item that your god gave to you specifically and that will not work for anyone else?

Etc...etc...etc...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Karm Hundredfists 04-12-06, 04:10 PM	Hiya, here's my character, I'm looking for ideas to help flesh him out. Name: Karm (Hundredfists?) Class: Monk Religion: Majere Race: Human Things of Note: Vow of Poverty - Cannot own material possessions except simple weapons (dagger), simple clothes (monk's robes, rope sandles), food for one day, nonmagic sack. Feats that affect character plot: Nymph's kiss - I have to have maintain an intimate relationship with a good aligned fey. OK, the story so far... (subject to change without notice, or with notice... not sure) Karm was found by a dryad lying in his swaddling clothes when he was only 1 year old. The dryad, Olma, could not leave the boy alone to die in the wild so she took him and raised him until he was 8 years old. She taught him to speak common, Elven, and Sylvan, as well as teaching him the wisdom of the forest. Karm seldom came into contact with any being other than woodland creatures, but he often roamed far from Olma's tree and spied on the road that ran through the wood to the nearby monastary. When he asked Olma about the monastary she could not tell him anything, save that humans lived there and that they seldom came and went. Karm grew more and more curious until one day he hid very close to the road and saw a monk traveling along alone and lost in thought. When the monk had passed, Karm walked onto the road and hailed him, asking him where he was going and what was his name. The monk's name was Paz and he was at the end of a long pilgrimage, returning to the Monastary of Majere. Karm walked with the monk a while, and he was impressed with Karm's knowledge and asked who his parents were. He said that Olma the Dryad had always cared for him and that he didn't know who his parents were. The monk invited him to visit the monastery whenever he liked, and bid him ask for him if he came. They parted and Karm ran swiftly back to Olma's tree. When he told Olma his story, she was worried. She had grown to love the young child and he had become a part of her life. In her heart she knew though that this was the child's path and that he had to follow his destiny. She bid him go to the monastery and ask if they would accept him there, for it was time for him to learn the ways of his own world. It was a grievous parting for the two had become as Mother and son, but Karm promised that he would return whenever he could. Karm journied to the Monastery and there he was received as an initiate. Paz mentored him in the ways of Majere, and Karm exceled at his studies. After years of training in the tenets of Majere: to seek peace within, to never be wicked, to lead by example and teach those who would fight against peace. To never raise a fist in anger unless it was to defend righteousness. He understood these methods and applied them to his life, but socially he was rather inept, preferring the company of the older monks and clerics to those his own age. Karm and Paz maintained a deep friendship, and one day when Karm was about twelve he came across Paz practicing his martial technique, "Merciful Discipline." Karm asked to be shown the technique and Paz told him that it was not until one was 16 that one could be tested to learn the techniques of the Mantis. Karm bravely approached Abbot Cortaen and asked to be tested. The abbot was intrigued by Karm, but said that he was too young. Karm humbly went away. But the next day he returned and asked again, to which the Abbot replied that he said he was too young. Karm said, "That is true, but today I am one day older, so I ask again. Please, test me." Cortaen laughed at the young boy's wisdom, and said, "Truly Karm, you are strong willed. I will allow you to take the test, but be warned that it is difficult. You will be pushed to your limit and beyond." Karm began the test. Test 1: Strength: Karm had to hold up a brick in each hand for one hour. Each day, Karm's sensai would add a pebble to the brick. Eventually Karm developed a great strength. Test 2: Speed: Paz threw up 6 small rocks into the air. He caught them all with one hand. "As soon as you are able to do this, you will be prepared for your next test." After months of work, Karm was able to catch all 6 rocks in one hand and passed the test. Test 3: Endurance: Karm was made to run for 1 hour straight. He had to complete a course around the temple. If he did not do so before the sundial reached its next mark, he would have to begin again. Once he could run for one hour without stopping, He was made to run for 2 hours. This continued until he could run for 3 hours in a row without stopping or stumbling. Test 4: Karm stood before the Abbot, anxious to complete his training and begin his training within the order. The abbot spoke slowly, letting his words ring out as he said them, "Now, Karm. I will ask you a simple question, if you answer it correctly, then you may begin your training. If you fail, then you may never learn the ways of the Mantis..." Karm's mind flashed over the past 5 years. He had shared many joyous moments at the temple, and he wanted nothing more than to impress the abbot and make Paz happy. But something deeper drove him on, Karm knew that Majere had a purpose for him, and he wanted nothing more than to please him. He felt that his ability to do what was required, hung in the balance. If he could not become one of Majere's monks then how could he ever make the journey that he knew was required of him? The Abbot continued, "you have as long as you wish to complete this task, so do not answer hastily. Here is your question. What... is Truth?" Karm thought, and thought... and thought. After 3 years he finally felt ready to answer the question. He approached the abbot and said "Truth is not the answer to the question, truth is not what you find, truth is not what you strive for. Truth is here. Truth is the now. Truth... is the hummingbird that flutters outside the window of our temple." The hummingbird flew into the monastery and alighted on Karm's shoulder. The Abbot smiled and nodded. Karm began training in the arts of merciful discipline the next day. By now, Karm was 21 years old and the youngest Initiate to ever be admitted for training. Karm spent the next 7 years of his life learning the ways of "merciful discipline." He excelled so much that he quickly bested many of his masters. Abbot Cortaen told him that it was time for him to be initiated as a monk of Majere. Karm completed the ritual and was tatooed with the mantis and rose that mark a monk of majere. "Now Karm," said Abbot Cortaen, "you are ready to complete the path to Majere." You will take the sacred vow of poverty and begin your pilgrimage. May you find peace within. Karm set out with nothing more then a day's worth of food, a dagger, his walking staff, his robes, and a length of rope to make his sandals. He ran all the way to Olma's tree and there he found her just as he had left. "I am sorry mother, that I did not return sooner." Olma, looked at her son and smiled, "Time does not pass for me as it does for you my young son, were you gone a hundred years, you would find me as I am today, ready to receive you with open arms. You have grown into a fine young man, and the animals have brought me word of your progress. I am proud of you, my son." Karm spent only a day relaxing under that tree with Olma, telling her of his quest and his training. When they parted, Olma told him that she wished to give him a gift. Karm reminded her of his vow of Poverty, to which Olma laughed and replied, "Material possessions may be taken away, I wish to give you a gift that will remain with you throughout your long life. At this, she bent down and kissed Karm on the lips. Warmth flowed through his body and he felt a deep understanding. "Now the wisdom of the forest is in you and I am a part of you forever. You will do great things, my son, and I know that you will find what you are looking for. Now go, and may all things see the light that lives inside of you." With that, Karm left the tree, but the voice of Olma is with him always. OK, that sort of just wrote itself. But do any of you have any ideas to flesh out the plot a bit? Or perhaps what Majere wants Karm to do? This adventure is taking place in Dragonlance during the Age of Mortals. I need to know where the Monastery is and how he got from there to Port Balifor (which is where the party is now). Karm is a level 7 Human monk with the following stats. Str 16 Dex 14 Con 18 Int 12 Wis 21 Cha 15 I don't want him to be a loner, I think that he should be very outgoing and people should like him, but I also think that he's very rigorous with adhering to his teachings, and tries to lead those he meets away from the paths that they have chosen if they do not honor life and peace. EDIT: I made some changes to the tests, but the overall build remains the same. Let me know what you think.
Moon-Lancer 04-13-06, 06:09 PM	i think the tests are a bit extreem, almost silly for a kid that age, but still i think its a good story. The nymphs kiss was nice too. I cant really think of anything to help your story with. Maybe you can post some of your ideas of what you want happen. I do better with something to bounce off of. I created a vop druid background story if that helps you any. Its in my sig. (shameless plug) :)
Karm Hundredfists 04-14-06, 01:51 AM	I've allready gotten a PM about the tests, and I will begin revising them immediately. Ideas for the future: Despite having taken a Vow of Poverty, Majere wishes Karm to find an item of some significance, this should probably not have been found yet, but it will provide my DM with some good storyline for my introduction. Perhaps a very epic item that I will not find until much later in the campaign. Also I need a realm for the monastery to be in, if ANYONE is familiar with Dragonlance, I need to get from Area X (please, your input would be appreciated) to Port Balifor with a reasonable storyline inbetween. The party consists of IIRC 4 Elves (Silvanesti), and a Kender Elves Swashbuckler Cleric Fighter Wizard Kender Rogue I guess my jumping off point would be "How does Karm get from Age 28 and level 1 in locale X to Port Balifor at age 33 and level 7, ready to team up with a group of adventurers, who are looking for a new homeland for the Elvish people." OK, going back to change overly-dramatic, uber, 36-chamber style tests.
fricot_1 04-16-06, 03:09 PM	from a strictly statistic point of view... i hate monks with vow of poverty :P like they can mess a balor up and all... but after a while they seem a little cliche maybe have him wield two masterwork kamas :) otther than that i love the story.. elves adopting humans and teaching them to kick arce! (well how else coulda human learn eh? :confused: )
Karm Hundredfists 04-16-06, 10:36 PM	Cliche???? "I am Caine, I will help you." "That technique came from Shao-Lin!" "Toad style, when its properly used, its almost invincible." I know that they're cliche but I LOVE martial arts and the Vow of Poverty is a monumental change in character design without sacrificing too much from a statistical point of view. It also allows me not to rely on DMs placing treasure or mounds of gold. But this isn't CO, this is CD, and I like my story so far... Where'd you come up with ELVES from for christsakes?!?! Dryads are Fey, not elves! :P, hence the nymph's kiss. Anyways, I'm glad you like it. I thought it was interesting to combine elements of the traditional fantasy setting with the ascetic martial monk's lifestyle. Finally I LOVE the wording for Majere's favored weapon. "Merciful Discipline."
Need_A_Life 04-17-06, 07:11 AM	Actually, elves in norse mythology covered the roles of dryads, nymphs, dwarves, succubi and a lot of other creatures... They had holes in their backs too (through those holes you could see the entire world :rolleyes: ), they drained the life of young men, lived underground, wrote in runes and walked around in the forest at night. Weird Vow of Poverty is so funny. It just cracks me up to think of my halfling monk, who is the size of a human child, who could pummel our Half-dragon [weird race] Frenzied Berserker far into unconsciousness. Also who would you focus your attacks on in a fight; the heavily armored warrior-type with a greatsword, he aged mage (throwing around fireballs every other second) or the halfling peasant with an attitude? I also have a blast everytime someone uses Detect Magic as it gives me an excuse to say "I look like a friggin' artifact" [since abilities are based on HD, HD=Caster Level for purposes of Detect Magic :ayyyy!: ]. Watch Kong Fu Hustle and tell me that the final fight scene isn't extremely... fun, ridiculous and cool.
The_Shaman 04-17-06, 11:48 AM	Well, to me the vow of poverty was MADE for monks (a shaolin monk with several sacks of gold, heavy warhorse, and heavily ensorcelled weapons, rings, amulets, boots and other trinkets doesn't quite fit my image of the class). Although, actually, it would thematically fit a paladin or cleric of a particular sort just as well. It's just weird you can put your bonus attributes as you please. +6 to strength is a bit much.
fricot_1 04-17-06, 03:47 PM	i really love vow of poverty... from a statistic AND roleplaying point of view. its just that too many people use it. personally i would use it with a cleric and Vow of Nonviolence. a party healer to the max.
Karm Hundredfists 04-17-06, 06:22 PM	If Vow of Poverty demanded that your stats be allocated a certain way then it would be inelligable for a lot of builds. I think that perhaps the reasoning behind it is that, by doing the things that you are good at without the help of items you have increased those scores that you use the most. By the way, I believe that it's +8, +6, +4, +2 at level 20 :evillaugh so if stats are your thing then its quite nice (especially since they can't be sundered or dispelled etc... There are a lot of really hazy rules around VoP though. I mean, under what circumstances CAN you use an item? Let's say you're the only one around and your companion is dying, can you use his cure serious wounds potion to save him? Can you use it on yourself if he's already dead can you drink it if you are almost dead? Can you use a really amazing item that your god gave to you specifically and that will not work for anyone else? Etc...etc...etc...