Hey all, starting a new campaign on Friday and I will be playing a Wood Elf Monk. I was curious what you all might think are some good voices/accents or ones you have done in the past. I was a monk in the last campaign which was cut extremely short (hence why I'm playing him again, I only reached level 5.) and I tried to do an Irish accent which I had practiced alot. I was met with quite a bit of mocking and laughter on my companions part. Seeing as how this was my first campaign and I was not used to even doing an accent, I reverted to speaking normally, just as they all were doing. I would like to try again though. So, here I am. Thanks for any feedback :D.
I'm not sure what accents have to do with monks...
My only monk was a bird brain (aaracokra). I wouldn't really call it an accent, but his personality and way of speaking was arrogant and occasional squawks.
My Aarakocra Monk has a heavy Belarusian accent, and switches octaves dramatically when talking about something he finds interesting.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Well, thanks guys. To be honest I didn't think there should have been much issue with the accent I had chosen for my character until I was laughed at for it. I appreciate your all's feedback. Thank you. :)
I would first think that you want to speak quietly, softly, as a person that has thought about what he wants to say but doesn't want to make you agree, but let you agree after considering what he has said. As an accent, I might try a Spanish accent or something so he could ask about things he has never seen saying... "What is dees?" "Where joo go?" I'm not trying to make fun of an accent but to give the impression that they are a stranger in a strange land for the theatrical value.
I don't understand what this has to do with Monks? There's no such thing as a Monk language or dialect. A monk is a member of a tradition or order of certain principles and is not bound to any language or place. There are monasteries in New York, America, for example.
It's how a person chooses to live their life, not how they speak. And the whole sagey-words style of speaking in movies is an overdone and completely false steretype. Monks speak normally, their wisdom is imparted by what they say not how they say it. An accent is only about the "how".
If you're concerned about what accent is best for the character this should be decided by things like the culture they grew up in, what class you pick should not be a factor. A Monk speaks the same as any other person. Like every other person the way they speak is based on: where they grew up, who with, etc. Growing up in an American monastery will result in a monk with an American accent, while a monk raised in a British monastery will have a British accent, and somebody raised in Germany who went to a British monastery for a few years will have a German accent that might have adopted slight British hints to it.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I agree with you. As I stated, I am new to D&D and felt rather self conscious in my first attempt at doing an accent. When I was laughed at for the accent I'd chosen (I imagined wood elves would sound Irish to me, and High elves with something akin to a British in a broad scope, at least for where we are now and my current experience with the game.) but, I was laughed at being told that "that's not how monks sound." Thinking after asking this question though I believe I will do the same accent again as it is my character and I refuse to do a stereotypical eastern accent just for what they deem "monk" like. Thank you for reaffirming this.
Monks sound like however the hell you decide. If you want your character to have an accent then that's your decision alone. One thing I recommend is not explicitly stating to your group what your accent is derived from. If you define your accent in relation to real world geography then anyone hearing the accent will judge it in comparison to how they expect it to sound.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Late to the party … but I used a "southern California stoner" accent (Chong of Cheech and Chong with little bit of Caddy Shack Bill Murray) for my Int 8 Wood Elf Monk Hermit with his herbalism kit.
Accent would be based on race and nation of origin. If your monk happens to be a human from an Asian-style land, then a 'stereotypical' accent would be appropriate.
I did a Tabaxi monk and mimicked the somewhat Arabian accent of the Khajiit, as well as their speech pattern.
Accent would be based on race and nation of origin. If your monk happens to be a human from an Asian-style land, then a 'stereotypical' accent would be appropriate.
I did a Tabaxi monk and mimicked the somewhat Arabian accent of the Khajiit, as well as their speech pattern.
Partially. But being a drunken master might lead to some slurring. So it isn't the base, but it could modify your speech patterns. But accents do change if you change your location If you were born in Waterdeep and the normal accent was say a cockney one, when you left to the monastery in say Silverymoon, it might change over time depending on age factors and natural talent (called 'Musicality'). But it might not (beyond the drinking) if there was a dojo in Waterdeep itself.
As a side note, Drunken Style Kung Fu is not usually performed while intoxicated. You're not even really pretending to be drunk. You're just mimicking the unpredictable, erratic movements of someone who is drunk.
As a side note, Drunken Style Kung Fu is not usually performed while intoxicated. You're not even really pretending to be drunk. You're just mimicking the unpredictable, erratic movements of someone who is drunk.
Good point. Several players i have played with took it literally.
Laughter in good fun is fine, but they are Gowl's for mocking your attempt. I applaud your effort at adding flair and color to the role play. Choose whatever accent you are comfortable with including your own. And practice, practice, practice. I simply make my monks voice a bit huskier than my own; too many blows to the throat and neck during early training.
P.S. It's a TTRPG. The only one who knows how your monk should sound is your monk!
Last monk I played was a cocky rich boy who had lost everything and then tried to attain wisdom, but couldn't get over being full of himself when he did good. So i went with a bit of a smarmy english accent
I personally feel when going for accents, they should be more related to race instead of class. But even still, you should have your character talk however you like. My character is a Half Eladrin Sun Soul Monk, but I'm thinking of giving her a gangsta or ghetto/ratchet persona so lots of ebonic or street language. 😆 I just hope I don't accidentally spit out the n-word when in character. Being that I'm half black, I'm usually given a pass but regardless of whatever my ethnicity or my character's ethnicity it's still inappropriate. We have our sessions at a game store & one of our members is a minor. I saw a YouTube vid where a guy suggested that elves speak in British accents & half elves Irish accents but I wasn't feeling that.
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Hey all, starting a new campaign on Friday and I will be playing a Wood Elf Monk. I was curious what you all might think are some good voices/accents or ones you have done in the past. I was a monk in the last campaign which was cut extremely short (hence why I'm playing him again, I only reached level 5.) and I tried to do an Irish accent which I had practiced alot. I was met with quite a bit of mocking and laughter on my companions part. Seeing as how this was my first campaign and I was not used to even doing an accent, I reverted to speaking normally, just as they all were doing. I would like to try again though. So, here I am. Thanks for any feedback :D.
I'm not sure what accents have to do with monks...
My only monk was a bird brain (aaracokra). I wouldn't really call it an accent, but his personality and way of speaking was arrogant and occasional squawks.
I combine Mr Miyagi with Samuel L. Jackson
(or would if I could do different voices/accents)
My Aarakocra Monk has a heavy Belarusian accent, and switches octaves dramatically when talking about something he finds interesting.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Well, thanks guys. To be honest I didn't think there should have been much issue with the accent I had chosen for my character until I was laughed at for it. I appreciate your all's feedback. Thank you. :)
I would first think that you want to speak quietly, softly, as a person that has thought about what he wants to say but doesn't want to make you agree, but let you agree after considering what he has said. As an accent, I might try a Spanish accent or something so he could ask about things he has never seen saying... "What is dees?" "Where joo go?" I'm not trying to make fun of an accent but to give the impression that they are a stranger in a strange land for the theatrical value.
I don't understand what this has to do with Monks? There's no such thing as a Monk language or dialect. A monk is a member of a tradition or order of certain principles and is not bound to any language or place. There are monasteries in New York, America, for example.
It's how a person chooses to live their life, not how they speak. And the whole sagey-words style of speaking in movies is an overdone and completely false steretype. Monks speak normally, their wisdom is imparted by what they say not how they say it. An accent is only about the "how".
If you're concerned about what accent is best for the character this should be decided by things like the culture they grew up in, what class you pick should not be a factor. A Monk speaks the same as any other person. Like every other person the way they speak is based on: where they grew up, who with, etc. Growing up in an American monastery will result in a monk with an American accent, while a monk raised in a British monastery will have a British accent, and somebody raised in Germany who went to a British monastery for a few years will have a German accent that might have adopted slight British hints to it.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I have two monks in the works, the one I have worked a voice out for is nasally and bratty cause she's a tomboy and a punk
I agree with you. As I stated, I am new to D&D and felt rather self conscious in my first attempt at doing an accent. When I was laughed at for the accent I'd chosen (I imagined wood elves would sound Irish to me, and High elves with something akin to a British in a broad scope, at least for where we are now and my current experience with the game.) but, I was laughed at being told that "that's not how monks sound." Thinking after asking this question though I believe I will do the same accent again as it is my character and I refuse to do a stereotypical eastern accent just for what they deem "monk" like. Thank you for reaffirming this.
Monks sound like however the hell you decide. If you want your character to have an accent then that's your decision alone. One thing I recommend is not explicitly stating to your group what your accent is derived from. If you define your accent in relation to real world geography then anyone hearing the accent will judge it in comparison to how they expect it to sound.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Late to the party … but I used a "southern California stoner" accent (Chong of Cheech and Chong with little bit of Caddy Shack Bill Murray) for my Int 8 Wood Elf Monk Hermit with his herbalism kit.
Accent would be based on race and nation of origin. If your monk happens to be a human from an Asian-style land, then a 'stereotypical' accent would be appropriate.
I did a Tabaxi monk and mimicked the somewhat Arabian accent of the Khajiit, as well as their speech pattern.
Partially. But being a drunken master might lead to some slurring. So it isn't the base, but it could modify your speech patterns. But accents do change if you change your location If you were born in Waterdeep and the normal accent was say a cockney one, when you left to the monastery in say Silverymoon, it might change over time depending on age factors and natural talent (called 'Musicality'). But it might not (beyond the drinking) if there was a dojo in Waterdeep itself.
As a side note, Drunken Style Kung Fu is not usually performed while intoxicated. You're not even really pretending to be drunk. You're just mimicking the unpredictable, erratic movements of someone who is drunk.
Good point. Several players i have played with took it literally.
Laughter in good fun is fine, but they are Gowl's for mocking your attempt. I applaud your effort at adding flair and color to the role play. Choose whatever accent you are comfortable with including your own. And practice, practice, practice. I simply make my monks voice a bit huskier than my own; too many blows to the throat and neck during early training.
P.S. It's a TTRPG. The only one who knows how your monk should sound is your monk!
I play a Halfling monk, so am pretty free to choose. I think mine's a little of a cross between Jackie Chan and Master Splinter
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Orryn Pebblefoot - Lvl 5 Rock Gnome Wizard (Deceased) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Deceased)
Anerin Ap Tewdr - Lvl 5 Human (Variant) Bard (College of Valor) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Last monk I played was a cocky rich boy who had lost everything and then tried to attain wisdom, but couldn't get over being full of himself when he did good. So i went with a bit of a smarmy english accent
I personally feel when going for accents, they should be more related to race instead of class. But even still, you should have your character talk however you like. My character is a Half Eladrin Sun Soul Monk, but I'm thinking of giving her a gangsta or ghetto/ratchet persona so lots of ebonic or street language. 😆
I just hope I don't accidentally spit out the n-word when in character. Being that I'm half black, I'm usually given a pass but regardless of whatever my ethnicity or my character's ethnicity it's still inappropriate. We have our sessions at a game store & one of our members is a minor.I saw a YouTube vid where a guy suggested that elves speak in British accents & half elves Irish accents but I wasn't feeling that.