Friday, August 22, 2014

D&D Next characters: Arminas Kulenov, Monk level 1

Monks have always been the class of many attacks, and that's no different here. At first level, they get two attacks as long as they're attacking with an unarmed stirke or a monk weapon. At 2nd level, you get your first taste of the Monk's ki pool. You only have two points at first, but spending one of them gets you 2 bonus attacks when you use your normal attack action.

The specialization options are really interesting. The Monk either becomes a more of a Ninja, a focused bare hand fighter, or more of a DBZ-style character, with magical breath attacks. I can't wait to play around with higher level monks.

In 3.5, Monks were also the most demanding of the classes. To be good, you really needed a good Wis, Dex, Str, and Con. That's a little less true now, since Dex can be added to your damage rolls as well as attack rolls here. In my Monk below, I went ahead and assigned the highest score to Wis, but I'm not actually sure that's the best way to do it yet. Dex may well end up more important.

Anyway, here's my Lawful Evil Monk, Arminas. This guy is an archetype I've used before - kind of an enforcer for a Lawful Evil church. I can't remember the name of the guy who actually fought the party on 3 or 4 occasions, so I just remade him in spirit instead. No idea why he has a vaguely Russian last name.

At some point on this blog, I'll have to address what makes an evil character work in a play-group, because it's an interesting dynamic.

Arminas Kulenov
Human Monk 1
LE
Speed 30 ft.
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HP 10
AC 15 (+2 Dex, +3 Wis)
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
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Attack:
Unarmed +4 melee 1d4+2
Shortsword +4 melee 1d6+2
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Abilities:
Str 12, Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8
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Class Features:
Unarmored Defense, Martial Arts (1d4 damage die on monk weapons and unarmed strikes, can use Dex on attack and damage rolls with Monk weapons, can make an attack as a bonus action when you use Attack action with a monk weapon or unarmed strike)
Skills: Investigation, Stealth, Insight, Religion, Athletics
Feats: Sentinel
Languages: Common, Elven,
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Proficiency Bonus: +2
Proficiencies:
Armor: None.
Weapons: Simple weapons, shortswords
Tools: Alchemist's supplies
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Equipment:
Shortsword, dungeoneer's pack, 10 darts, belt pouch, 15 GP, prayer book, holy symbol of Tiernach, common clothes, 5 sticks of incense
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Background: Acolyte
Quotes the words of Tiernach at every opportunity.
Ideal: You prove yourself worthy by proving your power, showing your dominance.
Bond: I am a servant of my church.
Flaw: Judges everyone harshly, himself more so.

Arminas is a thin, wiry man with a shaved head and a neatly trimmed black goatee. He dresses in dark gray loose-fitting clothing, and wears a curved short sword in a sheathe at his back. His movements are deliberate and graceful. His reflexes often catch opponents off-guard.

Arminas follows the dictates of Tiernach, a strict code of conduct encouraging honor and ruthlessness in equal measure. The demands are hard, but Arminas prides himself on following them as closely as possible. He seeks to advance himself in power and influence through adherence to the word of Tiernach. He has proven himself a reliable problem solver for the high priests of his church.

Arminas is civil to those he sees as equals, but exerts his authority over anyone weaker than him, in some cases daring them to challenge them. He is respectful, however, to legitimate authority. He is also intensely loyal, and keeps his word when he gives it. However, he is a cold-blooded killer, and feels no remorse for the lives he's taken in the course of his duty.

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