DM Notes – C01.S01.01
We start with Yisi and Valea in Song Moon Temple. They have been called by one of the senior Teachers of the monastery. He has a mission for them… replenish his wine. It is a journey to the Small Teeth mountains to get the specific wine, but their teacher has something else in mind – progressing their training.
At this monastery, the first ten years of training will progress a student from Novice to Potential Adept. In 5E character terms… Levels 1-3. At Potential Adept, students begin to take on assignments and expeditions outside of the temple, as directed by their Teachers. The Potential must face the real world and its significant challenges in order to reach Adept (5E Level 5).
Each Potential must also begin exploring their creative calling. The martial skill must be balanced in the Potential else they fail to progress, or worse, fall into a brutal character. The savage Potential will not progress to Adept until they can balance out their aggression with art.
Yisi has known for some time that wordplay would be his art. At some point he developed a love of beauty and became fascinated with Sune. He has not, and would not turn his back on Tel’Aestar as the source of life and love, but the Lady Firehair has his attention as the source of beauty. Yisi’s intent is to become a poet, exemplifiying beauty through the written word. There is a trap for him however… he will be tempted to fall into a vain character, which may be worse than a brutal one.
Valea on the other hand, does not know what art she would pursue. She tells her teacher that her “martial prowess will be her art”. Yet she must find balance there. Valea will develop her own forms (like Whispering Fang) that appear as dance and yet have martial application. So she is not being stubborn… “martial prowess” is indeed the creative calling to offset the savage within.
I feel Teacher Solomvar needs more attention. I want him to be a very endearing character. Authoritative and exceedingly wise, but also humorous and light-hearted. Perhaps he is the teacher of Flowing Force – it fits with the idea I have for him.
The basic idea of the Way of Flowing Force is to take the common Monk feats (Flurry of Blows, Deflect Missles, etc) and enhance them. Graceful relaxed movement leads to increased power. Very Tai Chi in essence. I want Teacher Solomvar to exemplify this power from flow.