Despite both using the [Spirit of Life], monks are differentiated from [shamans] in their inability to ask the elements for help
“ A trained shaman has the ability to communicate with the four elements of earth, fire, air, and water. This is known. What is not as widely known, however, is the presence of a fifth element. This element is not as clearly described as the other four, but it has to do with the shared… commonality between all living creatures. ”
— [Earthmender Duarn]
Both of those are from gamepedia - does this fifth element have and element? The monks can’t ask for help so how is it employed? And why wouldn’t this 5th element have an element to speak to?
Just so you know what you’re getting into, I’m salty that Shamans have to ask for help. I plug my earlys and screw when it’s brought up, and I only use head canon.
The fifth element is Spirit. It’s the unifying force of life that connects the four elements and is also what gives life to elementals. It exists inside of everything and everyone.
Shaman and monks use it in different ways. Shaman use it as a means to communicate with the other elements and tap into their powers. Decay is also a way to do this, but those are called dark shaman because decay forcibly chains elements to the users will.
Monks are very different. We use the spirit energy inside ourselves to enhance our own physical and spiritual abilities. Like that quest in the Valley of the Four Winds where we gathered chi to our fists to punch through wood and stone unharmed. We have no connection to the elements. So monks use it internally while shaman use it for external forces.
I plan on making a forsaken monk when the level squash happens.
There are monks irl that slowly kill(mummify) themselves in the pursuit of purity and enlightenment. Which will be the theme for my forsaken monk.
Sokushinbutsu is the word used for these types of monks.