Potential Monk Stronghold in BG2:EE- What would it be?
balalaika86
Member Posts: 20
Full disclosure: I love playing monks in DnD, and while the d'Arnise keep is one of the better strongholds in BG2 I was a bit disappointed that they were basically the only class that didn't get one of their own.
I don't really know how a possible monk stronghold fits in with the contract limitations, since they currently get the Keep, but from reading the threads on this forum there is at least some support for monks getting their very own stronghold. So this thread is meant for pure speculation about a what exactly this stronghold and its quests and storyline will be, regardless of wether or not we'll ever see it.
For myself, I'm thinking perhaps a hidden Shining Hand monastery. Since they are persecuted by the Cowled Wizards, I'm thinking they get attacked, the PC gets hired to defend it, but arrives to late to save the Master and most of the order. The remaining few novices and journeymen pledge themselves to the PC, who gets to rebuild monastery. Missions could be to recruit new members, becoming a Master at 16th level, and finally repelling new Cowled Wizards attacks.
I don't really know how a possible monk stronghold fits in with the contract limitations, since they currently get the Keep, but from reading the threads on this forum there is at least some support for monks getting their very own stronghold. So this thread is meant for pure speculation about a what exactly this stronghold and its quests and storyline will be, regardless of wether or not we'll ever see it.
For myself, I'm thinking perhaps a hidden Shining Hand monastery. Since they are persecuted by the Cowled Wizards, I'm thinking they get attacked, the PC gets hired to defend it, but arrives to late to save the Master and most of the order. The remaining few novices and journeymen pledge themselves to the PC, who gets to rebuild monastery. Missions could be to recruit new members, becoming a Master at 16th level, and finally repelling new Cowled Wizards attacks.
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Comments
Rasaad entering the plot also gives us a pretty decent starting point for creating a new monk order somewhere in BG2. Sort of like how Edwin is tied up in the thief stronghold quest or Valygar is for the Planar Sphere, whatever personal quest involves Rasaad for BG2 (they have to add SOMETHING for the new NPCs, right?) could revolve around setting up a monastery or clearing one out or rescuing it or whatever.
That's a good idea about Rasaad. Perhaps he could be the one to recruit you, after the Temple Orders in Athkatla turns him down. Though that sounds alot like Nalia's quest.
My ideal would be to place the monastery at a new location outside Athkatla, preferably with a village next to it that you can interact with through quests and such. A storyline could revolve around the village not really wanting the monastery there after the CWs attack and you will have to work to have them accept it. Storyline could end with you having to decide to help them or not when bandits attack the village.
I don't see why they couldn't make a Monk stronghold quest. All three new NPCs for BG:EE have entire new areas to explore coming with them (a fact tons of people seem to overlook).
Beamdog can't fix the old problems with this shit.
ATARI that probally will get a % over the sales will get less money, or if they're paid per license at once, the chance of the project fail is huge, what would make them stop to profit on old titles copyright sales.
WotC could use this as chance to fix old lore mistakes made in the old game (Anomen CN worship Helm for example).
You're right they were indeed looking into alternative Strongholds for Monk and Blackguard.
Aah, the Gith. Their combined cultures, history and relationships are one my favorite things in the Planescape setting. I would give my left foot for a new Planescape game where you can play as a Githzerai or Githyanki and visit Limbo and the Astral Plane cities.
Alas, the Githzerai are notoriously protective of their cities and monasteries from all outsiders, and as much as I like the Planes I think it would be best if their presence could be kept to a minimum in the game. Getting to take charge of a Gith monastery feels... strange in BG2. For me atleast.
@Jaxbudgie
Agreed. Valygar and Keldorn feel utterly useless in regards to the strongholds after you get them. Nalia has a follow-up mission, but I can't remember if it part of the stronghold. In any case, I don't think she has any interjections during the Keep missions themselves.
For non-monk characters, CHARNAME then helps the remaining Githzerai escape, and that's the end of the quest. If CHARNAME is a monk, the Githzerai suggest that his Bhaalspawn essence could be harnessed to stabilize the monastery when used by a sufficiently disciplined mind. Accept their guidance, and you get the stronghold, with the remaining Githzerai giving insight into their monk traditions the same way Dak'kon taught TNO about the Zerth in Planescape: Torment.
Stronghold sidequests could then include matters concerning training of students and challenges to the monastery by monks from other monasteries.
That does indeed sound like a very cool and interesting questline and stronghold and is something that would fit perfectly in another Planescape game. I just don't think it would "fit" (yeah, I know how ridiculous that sounds ;P ) a monk in BG2. I mean, the otherworldy Planar Sphere fits the fantastical nature of mages, the Keep fits the martial warrior type, the Theater troupe fits the bard. I don't really feel introducing a Planar stronghold for a monk from the Prime Material Plane "fits" the setting, so to speak, If you know what I mean. If it had been a game primarily set in the Planes then it would fit perfectly, I think. Though to quote Dennis Miller: "'Course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."
And the same goes with the githly interactions. Having a whole questline just about interacting with them would take away from the specialness of meeting the other gith later.
I don't know if martial arts on Abeir-Toril comes exlusively from Kara-Tur. Though the fact that the Githzerai in your own example demonstrably do not get theirs from Kara-Tur makes me doubt the claim. As do Rasaad.
Furthermore, according to lore, there are quite a few monasteries in Amn, aswell as to the south in Tethyr and Calimshan, and further east. Rasaad, for example recieved his training in Calimshan. So they are not that far away. I suggested the Order of the Shining Hand precisely because they are already present in Amn and have a clear foe in the Cowled Wizards who persecute them for their dabbling in magic on the side (they worship Azuth). Due to their persecution, most Order monasteries in Amn are on the small side, which I think fits better with the PC taking charge of one as opposed to suddenly becoming grandmaster of a large and ancient monastery with many dozens of members.
Finally there is the simple matter of art assets. Beamdog will not be creating any new creature meshes, so Githzerai will either have to use Githyanki meshes or human/elf meshes. Using the former takes away from the uniqueness of the Githyanki and looks weird for the 'Zerai, and the latter do not make them justice, in my opinion.
(The Shining Hand using magic is something that could be used nicely gameplay-wise as makers of unique monk gear.)
If you can't get in just use the back door bro.
I doubt there would be much in the way of financial incentive to owning the stronghold, but if there was a place to create potions, or get a free remove curse or something... And it could be cool to create your own order of monks reflective of what sort of alignment you hold. I can recall the Dak'kon quest line in planescape torment where you could mold his personality. Might be cool to teach your followers in the order / dogma of your choice.