| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
So, monk vows are from the ultimate magic, pg. 50. You take a vow to not be able to do something and you get extra key points for it, to put it simply.
I was wondering about the vow of poverty.
RAW:
Vow of Poverty
Restriction: The monk taking a vow of poverty must never own more than six possessions—a simple set of clothing, a pair of sandals or shoes, a bowl, a sack, a blanket, and any one other item. Five of these items must be of plain and simple make, though one can be of some value (often an heirloom of great personal significance to the monk). The monk can never keep more money or wealth on his person than he needs to feed, bathe, and shelter himself for 1 week in modest accommodations. He cannot borrow or carry wealth or items worth more than 50 gp that belong to others. He is allowed to accept and use curative potions (or similar magical items where the item is consumed and is valueless thereafter) from other creatures.
Benefit: Increase the monk ki pool by one for every two levels.
RAI:
This is a pretty severe restriction. It is also the biggest pay off of ki points.
I have two questions. My questions are about how this vow would play out in a game, and what the limits of it are.
1. The vow lists things it it's description; "a simple set of clothing, a pair of sandals or shoes, a bowl, a sack, a blanket". Is the monk required to select these items, or can he pick 5 items of his own choosing? Obviously they should be poverty items, but I was thinking what about a backpack, or that I don't need or necessarily want sandals... etc. If there is a choice, there might have to be some kind of cost limit as to what items he can choose. It seems like this vow is relying on the players sticking to the spirit of it.
2. It says he can have one item of value. But what is the maximum value of this item? Is there no maximum value of this sixth item? E.G. can it be an extremely powerful and expensive magic item? It doesn't say that it can't be but that definitely seems contrary to the spirit of the vow.
I want to stick to the spirit of this vow. I was just wondering what the limits are.
|
Alright one.
Benefit is actually one per level, so you get a lot more ki.
And the sixth item I think is of any value. While it seems like its going against the spirit, its one thing that actually might make you work able as a monk.
The biggest problem I have with this Vow is no were to really spend it.
The item can be "of some value" yes, but he still can't have wealth in excess of what he needs to feed, bathe, and shelter himself for 1 week (which is like, what, 2 GP?).
I mean, if you're a qinggong monk or an abundant-step-heavy build, like with the Dimensional Assault line, then extra ki is helpful.
The sixth item is, I believe, listed as being typically an heirloom or something of significant personal value to the monk in question. So if you're more concerned with the intent and "feeling" of the vow than the strict RAW meanings, then by all means limit it and/or allow substitutions.
I don't think even 2 gp is little enough wealth. It may be a callback to 3.5 days, but I believe 2 gp is the average monthly pay of a basic worker or craftsman. I'd guess something around 5 sp is really what it'd take (though it depends on accommodations).
Really, it's a complicated vow and the player and GM really need to work together to make it work.
Dimensional assault with a lot of Ki....
Nightcrawler! ^_^
The item can be "of some value" yes, but he still can't have wealth in excess of what he needs to feed, bathe, and shelter himself for 1 week (which is like, what, 2 GP?).
Yep. RAW that's actually true. Just realized that.
Wait, its one per level? it was errated?
Loup, you are forgetting bathing and lodges. Lodge for a week. Bathing for a week, and food for an entire week, would seem to be at least 1 GP.
So what should I do with all my gold?
So what should I do with all my gold?
Cry over the loss of it in a system that wants you to have magic items to keep up. Ideally you'd donate it to help others or remove it from yourself by another means. So long as it doesn't stay with you.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As far as I understand the vow: You can have 1 magical item, some basic clothing and enough gold to survive off of.
The gold you earn above that you can do with as you will: Divide among the rest of the party, send back to your monastery or teacher, donate to charity or whatever other option you can think of. As long as your monk doesn't directly benefit from it.
If I were to ever play this vow, I would send half the money to a monastery/teacher and the other half is kept for the party. Perhaps to some monk potion fund. Where the party has spare healing potions/wands that the monk can access as well.
But, I don't really see this vow ever working. As a monk you are already MAD. You need lots of magic items to break even with the rest of the party.
I do like the idea of the monk who has no possessions, but it doesn't work in a fantasy role playing game.
# EDIT: Oh, I keep forgetting that taking vows replaces Still Mind. I will probably never take any vows. :P
After looking over the vows, and this thread, I realized that they do indeed suck balls. Still Mind really isn't that strong of an ability, but these vows take other things away as well, and give menial benefits. Poverty is especially not worth it. That's kind of a bummer, but I'm not willing to take such severe penalties. Maybe the vows are implied to be used with the Qinggong arch type listed on the next page, which gives huge benefits and flexibility for having extra ki.
Tattoos
Really expensive tattoos... Gold? Oh, or Abberant dragonmark tattoos :P
|
Feats that help with Ki:Extra Ki, Extra Channel (Read the Champion of Irori guide to learn why).
Items that help with Ki:Wyroot weapons (Not PFS Legal sadly, but a Wyroot urumi can get you far), Ring of Ki Mastery.
Class Dips that help with Ki:2 Ninja (Stacks with Monk pool). 1 Cleric (See Champion of Irori guide) and Paladin (Again, CoI guide).
As you can see, there are other ways to get enough ki to last the day. I would only recommend the Silence and Peace vows and only if you have crane style and/or are a CoI
A lot of vows are pretty easy to do, such as a vow of truth.
They are easy to do, but i'd argue that the roleplay requirements were taken to an extreme for a few. You need to be clean. Okay! That means guys shave their heads... uhh... wut? Celebacy sounds easy, I mean I just don't sleep with... in the same room? Why am I crazy!? Vow of poverty is awful in a game that wants you to have a WBL. Taking away still mind is a kick in the face.
Anyways, I always thought barbarian's made great alternatives to monks, in particular characters trying to become monk like but who want to act chaotic now and then.
1. The vow lists things it it's description; "a simple set of clothing, a pair of sandals or shoes, a bowl, a sack, a blanket". Is the monk required to select these items, or can he pick 5 items of his own choosing?
Those specific 5 items.
May I ask--if you chose a backpack, uh, what would you put in there? Your blanket? Why have a backpack with no possessions?
2. It says he can have one item of value. But what is the maximum value of this item?
There is no value limit. This is the insanely powerful magic item you pile all your enchantments into. I'd suggest starting with an Amulet of Might Strikes and going from there.
Basically, the Vow should read as this:
"You get one ki per level in exchange for paying 50% more gold for all your magical items, save one."
I think it's awesome on a Sensei, but weak on almost every other kind of Monk.