I can't seem to find any relevant threads about the Way of Mercy Monk. I want to play one, maybe with one of the new Dragonborn out of Fizban's, but I just can't seem to think of any good backstory/flavour for the character concept. Who among you has run or seen run a Mercy Monk, and what was their deal?
I am running Mercy Monk/Moon Druid character at the moment (in two different campaigns).
The thematic background is she is a small adolescent noble who physically looks very non-intimidating, but specializes as a traditional healer (Healing Feat), but gained the healing touch as time went on from Monk. She does NOT do the whole Mask for Mercy Druid (it's a ribbon flavor in the subclass), but tries to keep the magical/Ki aspect hidden from the commoners eye. The concept of this character is that she is simply a straight up traveling healer that doesn't really on magic/Ki for healing the common folk to avoid suspicion , so she ends up using sleight of hand to apply Healing Touch... and this works pretty well... none of that plague doctor crap where people know she's there to heal or end a dying persons life.
My friend who is playing a full Mercy Monk in an evil campaign has a more sinister approach but similar concept. Playing a traveling healer that has a secret but deep hatred for humans.. He keeps the mask on to hide his identity, but purposely kills human patients that are sick to make it look like a natural death, unless he finds redeeming qualities in these individuals and chooses to spare by them. One of his party members, a Necromancer Wizard, then usually raises the dead corpse during the following night.. this plays towards the thematic "curse" that they claim is plaguing the country-side.. and even though they claim that they are here to help find a cure for the curse that is causing the dead to rise, they are actually the ones initiating the scenario. So this character is more closely aligned to the Plague Doctor concept with a twist
I am running a Mercy Monk that has the plague doctor flavor. Basically, they are a dwarf who comes from a clan trained in "traditional" medical practices. He applies his healing by quickly shifting bones or muscle (think a very quick massage therapist).
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I guess the question is, do you intend to keep your powers visibly known to the public? What sort of alignment is your campaign setting / party? And do you intend to be more for the sake of healing or punishing... you can be somewhere inbetween, but knowing this helps as a baseline for building your character image
My monk was a hothead and a brawler in her youth, before joining a temple to Sharindlar, one of the dwarven gods of healing, where she still works at the young dwarf age of around 40. She's kind of a relationship counsellor in addition to being a healer, and I try to play her like a cool babysitter, the one who lets you watch the R-rated horror movie and orders pizza, lol.
She's got a history of losing fights, so she fights dirty. She's very pious, but it's to a weird god nobody knows much about.
It's been a little rocky trying to nail down her personality tbh. Rewarding though!
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I can't seem to find any relevant threads about the Way of Mercy Monk. I want to play one, maybe with one of the new Dragonborn out of Fizban's, but I just can't seem to think of any good backstory/flavour for the character concept. Who among you has run or seen run a Mercy Monk, and what was their deal?
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
I am running Mercy Monk/Moon Druid character at the moment (in two different campaigns).
The thematic background is she is a small adolescent noble who physically looks very non-intimidating, but specializes as a traditional healer (Healing Feat), but gained the healing touch as time went on from Monk. She does NOT do the whole Mask for Mercy Druid (it's a ribbon flavor in the subclass), but tries to keep the magical/Ki aspect hidden from the commoners eye. The concept of this character is that she is simply a straight up traveling healer that doesn't really on magic/Ki for healing the common folk to avoid suspicion , so she ends up using sleight of hand to apply Healing Touch... and this works pretty well... none of that plague doctor crap where people know she's there to heal or end a dying persons life.
My friend who is playing a full Mercy Monk in an evil campaign has a more sinister approach but similar concept. Playing a traveling healer that has a secret but deep hatred for humans.. He keeps the mask on to hide his identity, but purposely kills human patients that are sick to make it look like a natural death, unless he finds redeeming qualities in these individuals and chooses to spare by them. One of his party members, a Necromancer Wizard, then usually raises the dead corpse during the following night.. this plays towards the thematic "curse" that they claim is plaguing the country-side.. and even though they claim that they are here to help find a cure for the curse that is causing the dead to rise, they are actually the ones initiating the scenario. So this character is more closely aligned to the Plague Doctor concept with a twist
I am running a Mercy Monk that has the plague doctor flavor. Basically, they are a dwarf who comes from a clan trained in "traditional" medical practices. He applies his healing by quickly shifting bones or muscle (think a very quick massage therapist).
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
I guess the question is, do you intend to keep your powers visibly known to the public? What sort of alignment is your campaign setting / party? And do you intend to be more for the sake of healing or punishing... you can be somewhere inbetween, but knowing this helps as a baseline for building your character image
Is the one mask on the table supposed to be Black and White or Blank White?
Might as well. Can't dance
Its written as Black and White... but the table is entirely optional as a Ribbon, as you can choose for it to be however you want...
huh. I see it as Blank and White...
Might as well. Can't dance
Oh.. you mean in D&D Beyond.. yeah, that totally says Blank lol
Def a typo
Ok, I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be Black and White or Blank White. Either way, it seemed like there was an error. Thanks!
Might as well. Can't dance
My monk was a hothead and a brawler in her youth, before joining a temple to Sharindlar, one of the dwarven gods of healing, where she still works at the young dwarf age of around 40. She's kind of a relationship counsellor in addition to being a healer, and I try to play her like a cool babysitter, the one who lets you watch the R-rated horror movie and orders pizza, lol.
She's got a history of losing fights, so she fights dirty. She's very pious, but it's to a weird god nobody knows much about.
It's been a little rocky trying to nail down her personality tbh. Rewarding though!