A Monks training ground. What should I use? [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Monks training ground. What should I use? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gemmalah
10-31-05, 12:11 PM HI

I want to make an adventure set within a cavern which is a monks training ground. The back story is that a load of monsters and undead have been spotted in there and a week ago a trainer monk and two novices have become lost in there in the confusion.

My players have to rescue the novices as well as find out what caused the monsters to occur. (I will make it seem as if one of the novices has done it, angry as he was not allowed to complete training. but it will be the master of the monestary using it as a secret base of operations to tray to mass togther an army but it all goes wrong. Its so secret not even some of the monks know it is happening well until the monsters appear)

Anyway the question is... what kind of things should I put in the training ground. The monks in question above their charade only fight for self defence or defence of the innocent. They value balance poise and wisdom among with other non fighting traits (inteligence and devoutness to their god)

Undernieth this public layer however the high monks and their leader become skilled in magic and fighting. (there will be secret training rooms for the high monks) They want to invade a nearby town to raid the wizard guilds magic library to gain power) The lead monk is a bit crazy so is lead on this by greedy monks.

I have already thought of balance posts and riddles to solve to gain access to each room.
I was also thinking of numbering the areas in terms of training difficulty, some may already be open and some may need a key from the previous difficulty setting to open. This represents how the novice monks train.

Some rooms may be fighting rooms for sparring or an illusion spell to train novices about certain types of evil monsters like demons.

anyway any ideas on what i can add? some traps from DMs guide can be altered to suit this setting just not sure how yet.

Sorry for long post Gemma
raven darqhart
10-31-05, 12:23 PM If you have the time, I suggest renting/downloading some of the Shaolin films. Excellent way to see the real thing. Or check out the monastery in Mortal Kombat(filmed on location at a Thai monastery). For a good idea of what martial arts training is like in its native setting, watch the films Kickboxer, Karate Kid(only the first one) and Bloodsport.
A lot of "mundane" tasks are used to teach technique and posture. To teach awareness and quick reaction times, students would "attack" each other at random to catch the other off guard. Flexibility, endurance, balance and mental focus would be taught in various special techniques which would be considered torturous in our uptight society today.
Lincoln Hills
10-31-05, 03:26 PM I think my hands-down favorite would have to be the "courtyard lined with pillars." The twist here, of course, is that the doors are all up at the level of the top of the pillars (so perhaps "pit lined with pillars" is really the term I want.) Lots of Balance and Jump checks... plus, of course, all combat must take the form of grapples atop a narrow pillar (and say hello to falling damage if your character is hit with an attack of opportunity while jumping across.)

The 'regular training course' would probably have nets 10' below the main level, to catch trainees before they hurt themselves. If you want the Mortal Kombat touch, of course, a set of levers withdraw the nets so that the characters are battling 50' over a spike-studded stone floor.

Another nice touch for the characters who excel at Balance would be the "floorless temple", which has only a few narrow beams as a walking surface... aside from the solid floor of the altar at one end, and the archways that open into the room. Again, you can do this the 'easy' way (a reflecting pool just inches below the beams, calling for Swim checks) or the 'hard' way (say, a 40' drop onto hot coals.)

I realize I'm emphasizing "where is the floor?" in these samples, but that's my personal favorite - I'm tired of my PCs just walking around like they invented gravity or something. ;)
Gemmalah
11-01-05, 07:30 AM [QUOTE=Lincoln Hills] a set of levers withdraw the nets so that the characters are battling 50' over a spike-studded stone floor.
[QUOTE]

I am going to use that... Mhahaha who says all levers have to do something useful for the players.

Maybe i'll use a lever that breaks when pulled, no more safety net! yay and include bats to attack them. And yes removing the floor may be great fun. Climbing to get to secret rooms... i'm not sure how well my characters can climb but i guess if i allow everything to be possible for them it won't be real enough.
yellowdingo
11-01-05, 07:52 AM Your task is to harvest the mushrooms, the moss, and the lichen that grow on the walls, floor, and ceiling of this cavern. You must tend the crop and ensure that all things are well for the future.
Flushpuppie
11-01-05, 07:53 AM in sword and fist are lots of common places explained, like a border tower, an elven tree canopy and a monk's training ground..

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gemmalah 10-31-05, 12:11 PM	HI I want to make an adventure set within a cavern which is a monks training ground. The back story is that a load of monsters and undead have been spotted in there and a week ago a trainer monk and two novices have become lost in there in the confusion. My players have to rescue the novices as well as find out what caused the monsters to occur. (I will make it seem as if one of the novices has done it, angry as he was not allowed to complete training. but it will be the master of the monestary using it as a secret base of operations to tray to mass togther an army but it all goes wrong. Its so secret not even some of the monks know it is happening well until the monsters appear) Anyway the question is... what kind of things should I put in the training ground. The monks in question above their charade only fight for self defence or defence of the innocent. They value balance poise and wisdom among with other non fighting traits (inteligence and devoutness to their god) Undernieth this public layer however the high monks and their leader become skilled in magic and fighting. (there will be secret training rooms for the high monks) They want to invade a nearby town to raid the wizard guilds magic library to gain power) The lead monk is a bit crazy so is lead on this by greedy monks. I have already thought of balance posts and riddles to solve to gain access to each room. I was also thinking of numbering the areas in terms of training difficulty, some may already be open and some may need a key from the previous difficulty setting to open. This represents how the novice monks train. Some rooms may be fighting rooms for sparring or an illusion spell to train novices about certain types of evil monsters like demons. anyway any ideas on what i can add? some traps from DMs guide can be altered to suit this setting just not sure how yet. Sorry for long post Gemma
raven darqhart 10-31-05, 12:23 PM	If you have the time, I suggest renting/downloading some of the Shaolin films. Excellent way to see the real thing. Or check out the monastery in Mortal Kombat(filmed on location at a Thai monastery). For a good idea of what martial arts training is like in its native setting, watch the films Kickboxer, Karate Kid(only the first one) and Bloodsport. A lot of "mundane" tasks are used to teach technique and posture. To teach awareness and quick reaction times, students would "attack" each other at random to catch the other off guard. Flexibility, endurance, balance and mental focus would be taught in various special techniques which would be considered torturous in our uptight society today.
Lincoln Hills 10-31-05, 03:26 PM	I think my hands-down favorite would have to be the "courtyard lined with pillars." The twist here, of course, is that the doors are all up at the level of the top of the pillars (so perhaps "pit lined with pillars" is really the term I want.) Lots of Balance and Jump checks... plus, of course, all combat must take the form of grapples atop a narrow pillar (and say hello to falling damage if your character is hit with an attack of opportunity while jumping across.) The 'regular training course' would probably have nets 10' below the main level, to catch trainees before they hurt themselves. If you want the Mortal Kombat touch, of course, a set of levers withdraw the nets so that the characters are battling 50' over a spike-studded stone floor. Another nice touch for the characters who excel at Balance would be the "floorless temple", which has only a few narrow beams as a walking surface... aside from the solid floor of the altar at one end, and the archways that open into the room. Again, you can do this the 'easy' way (a reflecting pool just inches below the beams, calling for Swim checks) or the 'hard' way (say, a 40' drop onto hot coals.) I realize I'm emphasizing "where is the floor?" in these samples, but that's my personal favorite - I'm tired of my PCs just walking around like they invented gravity or something. ;)
Gemmalah 11-01-05, 07:30 AM	[QUOTE=Lincoln Hills] a set of levers withdraw the nets so that the characters are battling 50' over a spike-studded stone floor. [QUOTE] I am going to use that... Mhahaha who says all levers have to do something useful for the players. Maybe i'll use a lever that breaks when pulled, no more safety net! yay and include bats to attack them. And yes removing the floor may be great fun. Climbing to get to secret rooms... i'm not sure how well my characters can climb but i guess if i allow everything to be possible for them it won't be real enough.
yellowdingo 11-01-05, 07:52 AM	Your task is to harvest the mushrooms, the moss, and the lichen that grow on the walls, floor, and ceiling of this cavern. You must tend the crop and ensure that all things are well for the future.
Flushpuppie 11-01-05, 07:53 AM	in sword and fist are lots of common places explained, like a border tower, an elven tree canopy and a monk's training ground..