Played by Katya.
My family owns a winery out in the country near the Sur Hills, north of Surcross. When I was young a monk of the drunken master tradition from a monastery a few towns over would often stop by the winery. Captivated by stories of his travels and fascinated by the fluid yet graceful way he moved, I would seek out his company during his visits and would attempt to mimic the way he moved. He noticed a natural affinity for the monastic tradition in me and offered to bring me to the monastery and take me on as his apprentice. Being honored by the invitation, my family gave me their blessing and I entered the monastery when I was 10.
A few years after, my master Jeng Dua became the head monk of the monastery. With my natural talent and under the direct guidance of my master, I am anticipated to one day take over his position.
I have recently reached the end of my apprenticeship and have newly gained my monkhood. As is the tradition of the monastery, new monks are sent out into the world to cultivate their ki and strengthen their bodies. As a new monk, I have left the monastery to travel the lands and aid the people as I cultivate my strength and spirit.
My goal is to attain the greatest mastery over my ki and body and to return to the monastery ready to demonstrate my skill to my master and to continue to challenge my body and mind in the pursuit of enlightenment while assisting the people and aiding in the stability of the land.
Betrayal of the Monastery: The Cursed Traveler and the Ancient Secret
Risa's monastery is a revered sanctuary of peace and wisdom, renowned across the land for its unparalleled dedication to the study and preservation of sacred knowledge. Monks of this order devote their lives to gathering, studying, and safeguarding ancient scrolls, tomes, and relics that are believed to hold the secrets of divine power. They are the keepers of knowledge, the protectors of sacred wisdom, and the stewards of the spiritual heritage of their world.
The Return of a Cursed Brother
One fateful day, a senior monk, Qah Laing, who had been on a long pilgrimage returned to the monastery. He was a respected figure, having traveled far and wide in search of ancient texts and relics to bring back to the sanctuary, including our sister monastery in Telflamm. However, unknown to him and his brethren, he had been cursed by an evil artifact he encountered on his journey. This artifact had allowed an ancient and malevolent spirit to latch onto him, hiding within his soul as he returned to the monastery.
The monks welcomed their brother back with open arms, unaware that he was now a vessel for a dark force. The evil spirit's mission was clear: it sought the location and secrets of an ancient artifact that was believed to hold unimaginable power—an artifact that the monastery had been researching and protecting knowledge about for centuries.
The Subtle Infiltration
The cursed monk, under the influence of the spirit, began to act strangely. He spent long hours in the archives, obsessively searching through the monastery’s vast collection of sacred texts and relics. Though his behavior raised some concern, the other monks attributed it to the toll of his long journey and the burden of the knowledge he had gained. The spirit, cunning and patient, guided the monk to the exact information it sought, using his hands and eyes to uncover the secrets buried deep within the monastery’s records.
As the cursed monk delved deeper into the monastery's most sacred texts, he eventually uncovered the information the spirit sought—a detailed account of the ancient artifact's location and the ritual needed to control its power. The spirit, having achieved its goal, abruptly left the monk's body, abandoning him without warning.
The Aftermath
The sudden departure of the evil spirit left the monk in a dire state. The curse that had been sustaining the spirit's possession drained the monk of his life force, leaving him gravely ill. He collapsed into a deep coma, unable to communicate what had transpired or warn his fellow monks of the danger that had been unleashed.
The once-vibrant monk now lay on his deathbed, and the sacred information that had been so carefully guarded was now in the hands of an unknown, malevolent force. On examining him, the head monks realized that he had been cursed and soon realized the gravity of the situation when they discovered that vital scrolls and texts had been disturbed. With little knowledge about who or what was responsible for this curse and the thievery, the head monks decided to keep details guarded.
Impact on your character
As a newly initiated monk, I have just reached the end of my apprenticeship, earning my place among the revered monks of my order. The tradition of my monastery called for new monks to venture out into the world to cultivate their ki, strengthen their bodies, and gain wisdom through experience. This journey is not just about physical prowess, but also about deepening my spiritual connection and understanding the world beyond the monastery's walls.
Before I left my master called me aside and privately informed me of the details related to our brother monk's illness and revealed to me that he was cursed and that sacred knowledge had been stolen. My master entrusted me with the task of investigating the source of the curse that had befallen my brother monk. My mission is threefold:
1. Uncover the Source of the Curse: My first priority is to gather information on the origins of the cursed artifact that had led to my brother monk's downfall. Who created it? What was its purpose? And most importantly, how did it come into the possession of your brother monk during his pilgrimage?
2. Identify the Responsible Party: My master suspected that the spirit’s presence was not a mere coincidence. Someone, or something, had orchestrated these events. My journey will take me to places where dark magic thrives, and where I might encounter those who could shed light on who was behind this malevolent plan.
3. Find a Cure: The third and most personal part of my mission is to discover a way to lift the curse and bring my brother monk out of his coma. This will likely involve uncovering ancient rituals, consulting with wise sages, and possibly confronting the dark forces directly.
Since
Back Story Bonus: +2 Dex, +1 Con
