so i been working on this backstory idea for my first monk and i was wondering if i can get some help with it. i wanted to try the good old reckless tournament fighter movie archetype and i come up with some ideas for it i think are good but i know i'm missing some other stuff for this to idea that i think of. this is what i come with so far, any ideas or tips for this ideas i would be grateful for. born and rise in slums vergil new one thing to survive it, fighting. he learned to fight so he could defend himself on the mean streets he grew up in. as he keeps fighting to survive throughout years he caught eye of a retired pitfighting champ name that goes by john. he wanted to turn the kid into a deadly fighter claiming he was meant to do greater things when just senseless fighting on the streets that he can be something if he learn to fight for something, and that something was a bloodthirsty crowds that root for him.
Kid grows up on streets, learning to fight, fell into a boxing crowd led by a cruel a-hole who goes by "Broke Tooth John" because if you cross him he's going to break your teeth. Or maybe it's because he only has half his teeth left. No one really knows.
One day, while fighting, Virgil (or Vergil alternate spelling) noticed an out of place character from his usual crowd. A cloaked figure who wasn't cheering, or betting. This caused him to lose his fight. When he came-to (from being knocked out), Broke Tooth was angry with him, telling him how he lost a lot of money on him, but all he could think of was to find this guy and get his revenge.
He ran out onto the streets, ignoring Broke tooth.
Looking, searching, he came across the same cloak and decided to engage him.
But he was easily dodged, and parried by a flurry of fists and feet, the motions were like water, the energy was effortless.
He threw a sucker punch, but, the man caught his wrist, he felt it twist his arm violently, but controlled. Just enough to not dislocate but to get a point across.
"If you want to learn what it means to fight, what it means to have a purpose, you will find me at the monastery in the mountains of Garu Tahlee."
The man thrust him away and he fell into a puddle. By the time he could look over his shoulder, the man was gone.
Virgil has never heard of the place before, but it was a name he would never forget. "Garu Tahlee".
You have some very good ideas to start with. The only thing I would suggest reconsidering is how violent Virgil seems to be. Monks are like monks IRL; they are peaceful and only fight when they have to. So I would recommend your Monk's backstory go like this,
Virgil grew up in the slums of (inset setting) and has been surviving by himself after his mother was hung for killing his father when she was tired of being abused every night when he came home drunk. Neither of his parents were exceptionally good people, though. His mother was still a thief, narcissist, and a compulsive liar, torturing Virgil's childhood with constant insults and threats. His father was a drunkard and an abuser, spending all the house's money of liquor. Virgil now had to survive on his own, but he took a vow that he would never be like his mother or father. He promised to stay honest and sober, humble and compassionate. He got into pit fighting in order to earn enough to survive, but his morals wouldn't allow him to kill anyone. He did well for a while, but, during one fight, he had a man defeated on the ground and turned his back and was KO'd embarrassingly. His manager fired him and he was back on the street, alone. Then, one day, while he was out scrounging, he noticed some Monks making their pilgrimage. Out of pure curiosity he followed them to their temple, then realizing how peaceful and comfortable their lives are. He asked to join and was accepted. After years of training and meditation he realized his point in life was to keep others safe, so they may have a better life than his own.
That was a rough outline, and merely a suggestion for you character, but my point is that maybe have Virgil realize that constant conflict isn't what he idolizes and that's why he became a Monk.
one of things that me and the dm plan for virgil is his angry and violent nature to be resolve in the campaign. that he can't simply trying to use his angry to solve everything with. well that what i hope for at least, we can only hope for best out come for d&d.
One question to ask would be how is the Monk class being viewed? Is it a collection of rules to flavor however one wishes or is it also a collection of lore to follow?
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
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so i been working on this backstory idea for my first monk and i was wondering if i can get some help with it. i wanted to try the good old reckless tournament fighter movie archetype and i come up with some ideas for it i think are good but i know i'm missing some other stuff for this to idea that i think of. this is what i come with so far, any ideas or tips for this ideas i would be grateful for.
born and rise in slums vergil new one thing to survive it, fighting. he learned to fight so he could defend himself on the mean streets he grew up in. as he keeps fighting to survive throughout years he caught eye of a retired pitfighting champ name that goes by john. he wanted to turn the kid into a deadly fighter claiming he was meant to do greater things when just senseless fighting on the streets that he can be something if he learn to fight for something, and that something was a bloodthirsty crowds that root for him.
(just heads up names are placeholders for now )
Scratch all that:
Kid grows up on streets, learning to fight, fell into a boxing crowd led by a cruel a-hole who goes by "Broke Tooth John" because if you cross him he's going to break your teeth. Or maybe it's because he only has half his teeth left. No one really knows.
One day, while fighting, Virgil (or Vergil alternate spelling) noticed an out of place character from his usual crowd. A cloaked figure who wasn't cheering, or betting. This caused him to lose his fight. When he came-to (from being knocked out), Broke Tooth was angry with him, telling him how he lost a lot of money on him, but all he could think of was to find this guy and get his revenge.
He ran out onto the streets, ignoring Broke tooth.
Looking, searching, he came across the same cloak and decided to engage him.
But he was easily dodged, and parried by a flurry of fists and feet, the motions were like water, the energy was effortless.
He threw a sucker punch, but, the man caught his wrist, he felt it twist his arm violently, but controlled. Just enough to not dislocate but to get a point across.
"If you want to learn what it means to fight, what it means to have a purpose, you will find me at the monastery in the mountains of Garu Tahlee."
The man thrust him away and he fell into a puddle. By the time he could look over his shoulder, the man was gone.
Virgil has never heard of the place before, but it was a name he would never forget. "Garu Tahlee".
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Simeon Tor:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/34598-simeon-tor-chapter-1-the-heat-of-battle
The Heart of the Drow:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/36014-heart-of-the-drow-chapter-1
You have some very good ideas to start with. The only thing I would suggest reconsidering is how violent Virgil seems to be. Monks are like monks IRL; they are peaceful and only fight when they have to. So I would recommend your Monk's backstory go like this,
Virgil grew up in the slums of (inset setting) and has been surviving by himself after his mother was hung for killing his father when she was tired of being abused every night when he came home drunk. Neither of his parents were exceptionally good people, though. His mother was still a thief, narcissist, and a compulsive liar, torturing Virgil's childhood with constant insults and threats. His father was a drunkard and an abuser, spending all the house's money of liquor. Virgil now had to survive on his own, but he took a vow that he would never be like his mother or father. He promised to stay honest and sober, humble and compassionate. He got into pit fighting in order to earn enough to survive, but his morals wouldn't allow him to kill anyone. He did well for a while, but, during one fight, he had a man defeated on the ground and turned his back and was KO'd embarrassingly. His manager fired him and he was back on the street, alone. Then, one day, while he was out scrounging, he noticed some Monks making their pilgrimage. Out of pure curiosity he followed them to their temple, then realizing how peaceful and comfortable their lives are. He asked to join and was accepted. After years of training and meditation he realized his point in life was to keep others safe, so they may have a better life than his own.
That was a rough outline, and merely a suggestion for you character, but my point is that maybe have Virgil realize that constant conflict isn't what he idolizes and that's why he became a Monk.
Just a question for OP: are you going for the Urchin or Gladiator background?
i'm most likely go with urchin background
one of things that me and the dm plan for virgil is his angry and violent nature to be resolve in the campaign. that he can't simply trying to use his angry to solve everything with. well that what i hope for at least, we can only hope for best out come for d&d.
Why not go with the athlete background?
One question to ask would be how is the Monk class being viewed? Is it a collection of rules to flavor however one wishes or is it also a collection of lore to follow?
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.