Hello, as the title says, I’m new to roleplay and would like to delve inside. I was wondering if I could get some general tips or advice for making a backstory for my draenei monk?
The race and class combination seem to contrast a little bit with each other. The draenei as a race are caring creatures with a devout zealotry towards the Light. But the monk relies on inner body spirit and draws strength from Chi and not the Light. As a mistweaving draenei, I don’t use the Light in any way shape or form.
In terms of roleplay, would that be seen as heretical; learning the ways of foreigners who’s religion and culture is something completely different? Honestly in game I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a draenei monk, so I have nothing to go off of.
Is there a way to make a draenei monk work while still believing in the Light or would that just be frowned upon? I really like this character and want to make a background for her…I just don’t know how. To draenei and monk (or heck anyone), can I get some advice on how to intertwine the race and class?
Hi Faalia! Welcome to the RP scene, and I don’t anticipate that you would have any issue pulling off a Draenei monk. In this universe, near-godly beings are extremely real, so I think you’re correct to say that any Draenei who claims to not ‘BELIEVE’ in the Light, or who is totally ‘cut-off’ from it would probably furrow a few brows (Unless DK). After all, the Naaru are real as day. You can walk up and speak to them, and the Draenei in game have most likely sat in direct tutelage, or received gifts of power and blessings from individual Naaru over the course of their thousands and thousands and thousands of years together.
But that doesn’t wholly define them! Draenei seem apt in taking on all sorts of magical and spiritual expressions. They are proficient in manipulating the Arcane, and can even converse directly with elemental spirits of multiple worlds through their connection to Shamanism. It would appear as though Draenei have a sort of ‘affinity’ towards all forces mythical and magical. Remember, that this includes everything under the Fel and Demonic umbrella too! After all, Draenei ARE Eredar, and Eredar ARE the burning legion. Obviously, avoiding a class like Warlock results from a deep cultural place for this race, but lore wise, they’re quite adept at using those ruinous powers as well.
Whether this is all explained by the Draenei’s extremely long lifespans, or it’s an actual trait of their physical biology, or something related specifically to the Draenic ‘soul’, they’re very in sync with all sorts of origin points for magical power, and there’s evidence that they can draw from all sorts of different ‘pools’ of magical force in their service of ‘The Light’. Or not. They can also be burly warriors who don’t need silly magic powers at all!
To put it super plainly, you’ve got this. In my opinion it’s TOTALLY acceptable for your character to ‘go to church every Sunday’, but do kung-fu to make their daily bread. What’s more, I’d wager that your average Vindicator would be very impressed with both the ‘defensive philosophy’, and the physical prowess of an expert martial-artist. They seem very aligned with what many Draenei do already.
I hope that all helps, enjoy!
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I very much agree with Tyrioris. The Draenei as a people are very disciplined. Taking that resolve and applying it to self-mastery would very much align with what the Draenei are about. If you want to spin the Light more heavily into your class, try using the Light as your meditative focus. Instead of focusing exclusively on self, have your Monk use the Light for their meditation and self-reflection. I don’t have any direct references I can think of, but I’m pretty sure that the Light is supposed to be a very calming sensation, but I have not done much research on the Light, so you would have to ask someone else about the impact of the light one’s inner peace.
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Thank you both for the replies! That definitely puts some clarity for me. I was worried that I would be going into rp with something that made no sense whatsoever. I definitely want to have my Draenei be a follower of the Light since as you said Tyrioris, the Naaru are very much real things.
Yeah, I think I’m definitely going to use the Light for monk training (in a sort of way).
Tyrioris does a very thorough job answering your questions above. The only addendum I’d add is to keep in mind that just because mechanically in game Monks are of the Pandaren variety does not mean your character must be of the Pandaren variety, the Draenei absolutely had monks in Auchendoun
I’d look up the wowpedia entries for the Auchenai both main universe and alternate universe for information if you’re interested in going that route.
The Scarlet Monastery is full of Light worshipping and wielding Monks.
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