|
Lore: Asashi
Posted: 01 Nov 2005 05:05 AM |
The following information is assumed to be common knowledge for monks, and unknown to non-monks (even to characters who are good friends with monks or are super-intelligent loremasters with a sky-high Lore score). Therefore please RP accordingly and put some consideration into whether or not your characters might actually know any of this.
Note that the information here is not strictly enforced; these are the teachings and philosophy of the Asashi. What your character makes of them is up to you.
Finally, to stop this thread from getting cluttered, please post any questions you might have on a separate thread.
What is a Monk? (A Vives Definition)
A monk is one who masters their "inner self" and draws supernatural powers from it. This is achieved in many ways. The three schools of Asashi offer three paths of achieving this perfect "inner self".
Note, however, that a monk need not stay pure-classed so long as there is a valid RP reason backing the multiclass: consider why you wish to take another class. What do those new skills and feats represent? How does it help your monk in their quest to attain enlightenment? Or are you RPing that you have abandoned that path and found it empty and lacking? Maybe you find it too passive, too pacifist, for your liking and have decided to instead pursue other destinies. As always, the RP possibilities are endless, but consider the RP and not the build.
Finally, to continue to use monk powers, a monk must be lawful. Monks must remain focused all the time. Monks must follow the steps, the rules, the path to enlightenment. It is this focus and this adherence to rules, this discipline of body and mind, that grants you your powers.
What is Asashi?
Asashi is a place of enlightenment, knowledge and meditation. It boasts a library to rival even that of the mage towers.
The monastery itself has gradually evolved through the years from a shelter from political and other conflicts into a monastery focused on seeking to get in touch with one's perfect inner-self by conditioning both the body and the mind.
Despite these changes, it still serves its original function as a place of sanctuary, open to all who seek inner reflection and peace of mind in a hostile, chaotic world. Anyone seeking to harm someone who has sought sanctuary at Asashi had best beware, for the monks take their laws of hospitality seriously, and all such guests are under their protection.
The monks of Asashi are always polite and unobtrusive, while those who cannot be bothered dealing with outsiders merely avoid them. They only have one rule, and that is to not impose oneself on others.
The Schools: An Overview
There are 3 schools, or paths, in Asashi. One does not choose which school they are assigned to; rather, a school chooses you by putting you through a series of tests. Each of these schools focuses on a different path to reach enlightenment.
The Serpent School: The Path of the Beating Heart
This school values fitness and strength, and they achieve their image of the perfect self mostly through physical training. [Favoured Abilities: STR, CON]
The Vulture School: The Path of the Thinking Mind
These monks achieve the perfect self by gaining as much knowledge as they can and using it to forge their souls. They tend to visit libraries and seek scholars rather than fight or physically train their bodies. [Favoured Abilities: WIS, INT, CHA]
The Dragon School: The Path of the Aimed Fist
Sitting somewhere between the two extremes of the Serpent and Vulture schools lies the Dragon school. The Aimed Fist combines the teachings of both schools and achieves their ideal of the perfect self through striving for balance. [Favoured Abilities: DEX, WIS]
Training
THE SERPENT:
+ Will initially test for physical strength
+ If this is found, they will then test for agility
+ Finally, the mind will be tested to see if the person has the necessary mental discipline
- Will never take someone who is physically weak
THE VULTURE:
+ Will initially test for brilliance and genius
+ If this is found, they will then test for agility
- They believe that the Serpent school is wasting its time—if have the will, you have the way
- Will only take people who are independent and can help themselves
THE DRAGON:
+ A very mysterious school; little is known about them at all
+ Their tests are easier than either of the other two schools: all they seek is that you have the potential for enlightenment, and have a balanced outlook (more or less) |
The subculture of my dreams
Is waiting for me to fall asleep.
I know you're scared—you should be.
I know you're scared. |
|
  |
|
|
Re: Lore: Asashi
Posted: 23 Jan 2007 04:34 PM |
Geography
The monastery is perched atop a hill which overlooks the Inner Sea to the north and the Serpent Sea to the west.
Although not fully represented IG, there are in fact a small number of homes in close proximity to Asashi, the majority of them sporting large gardens, and nearly all of them being small private farms. The temperature remains warm most of the year 'round, with little variation.
There are ruins of an old lighthouse to the north, on the Asashi Coast.
The south-west and west are densely wooded and largely unexplored, although occasionally individual monks, or masters with a handful of students in tow, will wander into the Quercean Woods on spiritual expeditions. This is rarely attempted, as the western slope is steep and dangerous, and a history of accidents has made the monks wise to the area.
Asashi is separated from Latonei by a chasm known as Caslyn Gap, spanned by a single bridge known as Tauras Bridge which is only capable of supporting one ox and wagon crossing it at any given moment. |
|
|
|
|