Monk and Vows

[Kazumetsa]

As a Monk with a Ki Pool... I'm debating taking one or two of the Vows to extend my Ki a little. Vow of Truth seems the most harmless and potentially hilarious/surprising one in which I will likely take.

Anyways to the point - My character found some "Masterwork Shackles" and Vow of Chains is likely what my DM is hinting at for me to take; considering such a random find in the goblin tower/island.

My question is:
How does the Masterwork Quality effect these shackles?
Normal shackles would provide a -1 to both Attack Rolls and AC and -10 to movement(according to the Vow at least).

I'm debating it... but if it comes to losing anything on Attack rolls I'll be pawning those :)

[Dabbler]

I'd go vow of truth myself, it's easier (and more fun) to RP and doesn't interfere with anything a monk is likely to want to be doing.

[Xaratherus]

As far as I can tell, "shackles" is really only a physical object within the description of that particular vow. There are manacles (both mundane and masterwork) that are defined but the descriptions don't match.

I'd say you'd have to ask your DM what the stats would be on the "masterwork shackles". From my POV, I would still impose the -1 on attack rolls; the point of the vow is to trade off functionality of a sort in the character for a higher ki pool, and removing the (arguably) largest penalty from the vow sort of defeats the purpose.

[Kazumetsa]

Noted and thankyou!

[stuart haffenden]

The -1 to hit is painful for sure but the +1 Ki/3 levels is awesome!

Having said that, is losing 1 to hit worth 1 extra attack per 3 levels you have? Saying it that way makes it sound pretty poor. Lets face it all you're likely do with the Ki is have an extra attack with a McFlurry.

Are you running out of Ki often?

[Lvl 12 Procrastinator]

Dabbler wrote:

I'd go vow of truth myself, it's easier (and more fun) to RP and doesn't interfere with anything a monk is likely to want to be doing.

I have a player right now who is on a side-quest seeking atonement because he couldn't keep the Vow of Truth.

That great moment when he went to spend ki and found he had none, followed by several sessions trying to piece it together (thinking some other event had perhaps magically robbed him of the ki). Then, when realization finally dawned on him, he said, "But I never lied!"

That's when I pulled out the notes from the key encounter in which his character told not just one but several egregious lies, in addition to aiding other members of the party to deceive and mislead a group of NPCs.

"Oh yeah." Dejected look = priceless.

He has since decided that after he gets his atonement, he will not be retaking the Vow of Truth. "I realize now that my character is just not capable of never telling a lie."

[Kazumetsa]

Hahaha, that's quite a funny story, Lvl 12 Pro.

"If presented with circumstances where telling the truth would bring harm to another, the monk remains silent."

There is an option of Remaining Silent instead of attempting a lie. Not sure why he didn't just do that!
I don't recall "speaking out" a requirement of the vow either. I assume it's all just a part of his character? Mine is pretty much devoted to telling the truth and seeking it as well. It should work out for me and I'm sure the DM will mess with me to get some good laughs. I just hope he doesn't single me out too much.

Stuart, I'd have to say anything that gives up bonuses to attack rolls is a definite No in my book as a Monk. I'd say every monk knows the more Attack Bonus the better.

Unless the Masterwork quality counters Shackles -1 to attack, I probably won't bother with it and I'll likely sell it.

[Gargs454]

I definitely agree that Vow of Truth is the easiest to abide by. It can also bring about some very amusing moments. Of course, in some circumstances it can take away from those amusing moments too. Like where my monk is the only member of the party able to speak the cleric's language. :p