reviewed Sassamona – Human Urchin Way of the Open Hand Monk

[morgan_]

Sassamona - Human Urchin Open Hand Monk

Name. Sassamona, Mona for short.

Character Concept. A former street urchin with a bad attitude, set on the path of enlightenment by a chance encounter. Her fists fight for justice now, got it?

Lineage, Background, Planned-Subclass Class. Human Variant, Urchin, Way of the Open Hand (intended) Monk

Description. Sassamona grew up on the streets of Waterdeep, and she looks like it. Having suffered from undernourishment as a child, she is short for a human at 5’ 0”. She has a wiry build. With a perpetual scowl, grimy skin and clothes, and a general lack of personal hygiene, she can be off-putting to others. Her most notable feature is her hair, which has recently begun to grow in purplish.

   She only owns one outfit, the outermost layer of which consists of a brown cotton jacket covered in patches, tears, and stains, and a pair of overalls, on the front of which she’s painted enigmatic diagrams (of internal qi flows). She carries all her earthly possessions in her backpack.

   Sassamona lacks any semblance of refinement and does not care for formalities. She feels more comfortable dumpster diving than eating in a fancy restaurant (not that she'd pass up the chance for fancy food). When speaking—if she feels words are necessary—she uses slang, contractions, and double-negatives in her meandering sentences.

She is a defensive and irascible person. The easiest way to set her off is to insult Waterdeep, as she takes a great and irrational pride in her hometown. When confronted, her first instinct is to fight, with flight and diplomacy unlikely. She tends to be standoffish and suspicious of others, but that suspicion is surprisingly easily overcome by kindness and generosity. She is fiercely loyal to her friends, but she never stops being rude.

   Maybe someday she’ll achieve enlightenment and become pleasant to be around.

Your Character’s Plothook. Sassamona has traveled between Waterdeep and Daggerford often in recent months as caravan guard. Recently, she's heard rumors that some Lady is offering big bucks to fight goblins. Sassamona is eager to take the job.

Past is Prologue. Sassamona was born to a poor family in Waterdeep. When her mother was sent to prisonfor bootlegging and her father was lost at sea, she became an orphan. Living on the streets was not easy; she struggled to feed herself through panhandling and petty crimes. She learned how to pick locks and how to blend in. She also learned that the best way to keep yourself safe is to be an unattractive target, so she fought back wildly whenever anyone encroached on her. Before long, she acquired a reputation as a brawler.

   Not much changed for Sassamona when she reached adulthood, as she had no education and no employable skills (and no desire to get a real job anyhow). But one day, while digging through a trash heap for valuables, she discovered a mysterious scroll covered diagrams of the human body marked up with strange symbols. Whenever she looked at it, she felt a strange sensation within her body; that feeling was the awakening of her qi. It was quite a pleasant feeling, like everything that was wrong with her was slowly becoming unwound and rewoven. Studying the scroll, she started meditating every day; her qi flows began to strengthen her body (and turn her hair purple). The scroll eventually disintegrated from overuse, but by then she had it memorized. She can’t quite use qi on command yet, but she’s close.

   Things are looking up for ol’ Sassamona. With her newfound physical strength, she has started taking on jobs guarding caravans which travel between Waterdeep and Daggerford. For the first time in her life, she's got a few gold pieces in her pocket, and has just heard of an opportunity (fightin' goblins!) to earn much more.

Loyalties. Sassamona has taken on jobs for the Lords’ Alliance recently. They recognize her incredible potential as an adventurer and have high hopes that she will learn discipline.

   Her point of contact in the organization is a veteran adventurer, a human mercenary named Dill. She's worked for him several times so far. Though their relationship was rocky at first, their rapport has since shown signs of improvement. He’s glad to have found someone willing to take on dangerous work for cheap.

Is Might Right? After some prying, Sassamona would start ranting: Does might make right? Yah no, kid; no connection at all. They say “authority always wins” and they’re probably right, but that don’t make it right right.

   Look, life’s all about—it’s eat or be eaten. I never had nothin' until I learned to stand up for myself. I’ve learned a thing or two about playing rough—and playing dirty, too—but I never felt great about it.

   What I’m trying to say is: some folks got power, some folks don’t, and it's the same with rightness. Power comes from strength, smartness, and money. Rightness is about from standin' up for what's right, about liftin' each other up instead of tearin' 'em down; I wish that was what strength was about too, but it’s just not.

Deity. Sassamona doesn’t pray regularly, but when she does, she prays to Sune. Sune’s beauty and passion appeal to Sassamona, because to her, beauty itself feels otherworldly and aspirational, and thus appropriate for worship. Plus, the Temple of Beauty has free baths.

Music.

"Twisted Streets" by Darren Korb – vibes

"Desolation Row" covered by MCR – I don’t know what this song’s really about, but I think it would remind Sassamona of her home and childhood.

"Secrets and Lies" by Jonatha Brooke – Sassamona's life outlook

Edited April 2 by morgan_ (see edit history)

[morgan_]

Sassamona — Monk 1

ACUnarmored Defense AC = 10 + DEX modifier + WIS modifier: HPHit Dice: 1d8: SpeedWalking: 30 ft.:

17 12/12 30 ft.

StrengthStrength Save: +3 Athletics: +3: DexterityDexterity Save: +6 Acrobatics: +6 Sleight of Hand: +6 Stealth: +6: ConstitutionConstitution Save: +2 Constitution Checks: +2:

13 18 14

(+1) (+4) (+2)

IntelligenceIntelligence Save: +0 Arcana: +0 History: +0 Investigation: +0 Nature: +0 Religion: +0: WisdomWisdom Save: +3 Animal Handling: +3 Insight: +3 Medicine: +3 Perception: +5 Survival: +3: CharismaCharisma Save: +0 Deception: +0 Intimidation: +0 Performance: +0 Persuasion: +0:

10 16 11

(+0) (+3) (+0)

LanguagesCommon, Elvish Combat ProficienciesArmor Proficiencies: None Weapon Proficiencies: Shortsword, Simple Weapons Tool ProficienciesBirdpipes, Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools

This is a template.

Description. "Speech." Thought. 

OOC

 

Qi [Level 2 Feature]

Stat Block %5Bb%5D%5Burl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.myth-weavers.com%2Fsheet.html%23id%3D2891065%5DSassamona%5B%2Furl%5D%5B%2Fb%5D%20%0A%5Bi%5DHuman%20(Variant)%20Monk%201%20CG%5B%2Fi%5D%20%0A%0A%5Bb%5DAC%5B%2Fb%5D%2017%20%5Bb%5DHP%5B%2Fb%5D%2012%20%5Bb%5DSpeed%5B%2Fb%5D%20ft%20%0A%0A%5Bb%5DStr%5B%2Fb%5D%2013%20(1)%20%5Bb%5DDex%5B%2Fb%5D%2018%20(4)%20%5Bb%5DCon%5B%2Fb%5D%2014%20(2)%20%5Bb%5DWis%5B%2Fb%5D%2016%20(3)%20%5Bb%5DInt%5B%2Fb%5D%2010%20(0)%20%5Bb%5DCha%5B%2Fb%5D%2011%20(0)%0A%0A%5Bb%5DAttacks%5B%2Fb%5D%0A%5Bb%5DQuarterstaff%5B%2Fb%5D%20%2B6%201d6(8)%2B4%0A%5Bb%5DUnarmed%20Strike%5B%2Fb%5D%20%2B6%201d4%2B4%0A%5Bb%5DDart%5B%2Fb%5D%20%2B6%201d4%2B4%0A%5Bb%5D%5B%2Fb%5D%20%20%0A%5Bb%5D%5B%2Fb%5D%20%20%0A%0A%5Bb%5DMonk%20Features%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%20%0AUnarmored%20Defense%20(PHB%2C%20pg.%2078)%0AWhile%20not%20wearing%20armor%20and%20not%20using%20a%20shield%2C%20your%20AC%20equals%2010%20%2B%20DEX%20modifier%20%2B%20WIS%20modifier.%0A%0AMartial%20Arts%20d4%20(PHB%2C%20pg.%2078)%0AWhile%20you%20are%20unarmed%20or%20wielding%20only%20monk%20weapons%20and%20you%20aren%E2%80%99t%20wearing%20armor%20or%20wielding%20a%20shield%2C%20you%20can%20use%20DEX%20instead%20of%20STR%20for%20the%20attack%20and%20damage%20rolls%2C%20you%20can%20roll%20your%20Martial%20Arts%20damage%20die%20in%20place%20of%20the%20normal%20damage%2C%20and%20when%20you%20use%20the%20Attack%20action%20on%20your%20turn%2C%20you%20can%20make%20one%20unarmed%20strike%20as%20a%20bonus%20action.%0A%0A%5Bb%5DFeats%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%20%0AAthlete%20(PHB%2C%20pg.%20165)%0AIncrease%20your%20(STR%20or)%20DEX%20score%20by%201%2C%20and%20when%20you%20are%20prone%2C%20standing%20up%20uses%20only%205%20feet%20of%20your%20movement.%20Climbing%20doesn't%20cost%20you%20extra%20movement%2C%20and%20you%20can%20make%20a%20running%20long%20jump%20or%20a%20running%20high%20jump%20after%20moving%20only%205%20ft.%20on%20foot%2C%20rather%20than%2010%20ft.%0A%0ATough%20(PHB%2C%20pg.%20170)%0AYour%20hit%20point%20maximum%20increases%20by%20an%20amount%20equal%20to%20twice%20your%20level%20when%20you%20gain%20this%20feat.%20Whenever%20you%20gain%20a%20level%20thereafter%2C%20your%20hit%20point%20maximum%20increases%20by%20an%20additional%202%20hit%20points. Sassamona Human (Variant) Monk 1 CG AC 17 HP 12 Speed ft Str 13 (1) Dex 18 (4) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 10 (0) Cha 11 (0) Attacks Quarterstaff +6 1d6(8)+4 Unarmed Strike +6 1d4+4 Dart +6 1d4+4 Monk Features: Unarmored Defense (PHB, pg. 78) While not wearing armor and not using a shield, your AC equals 10 + DEX modifier + WIS modifier. Martial Arts d4 (PHB, pg. 78) While you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield, you can use DEX instead of STR for the attack and damage rolls, you can roll your Martial Arts damage die in place of the normal damage, and when you use the Attack action on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. Feats: Athlete (PHB, pg. 165) Increase your (STR or) DEX score by 1, and when you are prone, standing up uses only 5 feet of your movement. Climbing doesn't cost you extra movement, and you can make a running long jump or a running high jump after moving only 5 ft. on foot, rather than 10 ft. Tough (PHB, pg. 170) Your hit point maximum increases by an amount equal to twice your level when you gain this feat. Whenever you gain a level thereafter, your hit point maximum increases by an additional 2 hit points.

Inventory Gp: 10 Sp: 0 Cp: 0 Equipped Clothes, Common Dart (10) Quarterstaff Backpack Map of Waterdeep Crowbar Hammer Piton (10) Rations (10 days) Small Knife Tinderbox Torch (10) Waterskin

Edited April 2 by morgan_ (see edit history)

[Kamishiro_Rin]

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

Name. Sassamona, Mona for short.

Interesting name. And I love the AI!

Now, because I speak Japanese, certain letter combos for non-English words cause me to think of their pronunciation as different from how others would. To give an example, a character in one of my other games is named "Hunni", which I pronounced as "HOON-nee", until they told me that it's supposed to be pronounced the same as "Honey". I still call her HOON-nee.

Anyway, is that "SAHS-suh-Moh-nuh" or "SASS-uh-Moh-nuh" or some other pronunciation I'm not thinking of?

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

Character Concept. A former street urchin with a bad attitude, set on the path of enlightenment by a chance encounter. Her fists fight for justice now, got it?

I like it!

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

Description. Sassamona grew up on the streets of Waterdeep, and she looks like it. Having suffered from undernourishment as a child, she is short for a human at 5’ 0”. She has a wiry build. With a perpetual scowl, grimy skin and clothes, and a general lack of personal hygiene, she can be off-putting to others. Her most notable feature is her hair, which has recently begun to grow in purplish.

SHE MIGHT KNOW WENDY!

I kid! I kid!

Ooh! Why's her hair growing purple?!

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

She only owns one outfit, the outermost layer of which consists of a brown cotton jacket covered in patches, tears, and stains, and a pair of overalls, on the front of which she’s painted enigmatic diagrams (of internal qi flows). She carries all her earthly possessions in her backpack.

   Sassamona lacks any semblance of refinement and does not care for formalities. She feels more comfortable dumpster diving than eating in a fancy restaurant (not that she'd pass up the chance for fancy food). When speaking—if she feels words are necessary—she uses slang, contractions, and double-negatives in her meandering sentences.

Love it.

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

She is a defensive and irascible person. The easiest way to set her off is to insult Waterdeep, as she takes a great and irrational pride in her hometown. When confronted, her first instinct is to fight, with flight and diplomacy unlikely. She tends to be standoffish and suspicious of others, but that suspicion is surprisingly easily overcome by kindness and generosity. She is fiercely loyal to her friends, but she never stops being rude.

   Maybe someday she’ll achieve enlightenment and become pleasant to be around.

A woman after mine own heart!

They say that before enlightenment, you chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, you carry water and chop wood.

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

   Not much changed for Sassamona when she reached adulthood, as she had no education and no employable skills (and no desire to get a real job anyhow). But one day, while digging through a trash heap for valuables, she discovered a mysterious scroll covered diagrams of the human body marked up with strange symbols. Whenever she looked at it, she felt a strange sensation within her body; that feeling was the awakening of her qi. It was quite a pleasant feeling, like everything that was wrong with her was slowly becoming unwound and rewoven. Studying the scroll, she started meditating every day; her qi flows began to strengthen her body (and turn her hair purple). The scroll eventually disintegrated from overuse, but by then she had it memorized. She can’t quite use qi on command yet, but she’s close.

Neat!

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

   Things are looking up for ol’ Sassamona. With her newfound physical strength, she has started taking on jobs guarding caravans which travel between Waterdeep and Daggerford. For the first time in her life, she's got a few gold pieces in her pocket, and has just heard of an opportunity (fightin' goblins!) to earn much more.

Nice, weaving in your plothook into your BG!

14 hours ago, morgan_ said:

Loyalties. Sassamona has taken on jobs for the Lords’ Alliance recently. They recognize her incredible potential as an adventurer and have high hopes that she will learn discipline.

   Her point of contact in the organization is a veteran adventurer, a human mercenary named Dill. She's worked for him several times so far. Though their relationship was rocky at first, their rapport has since shown signs of improvement. He’s glad to have found someone willing to take on dangerous work for cheap.

Reading through your app and then the Lords' Alliance threw me a curve ball from left field. I love it.

The rest is great, too!

I'll unlock the Pre-Game IC-Thread for you! Have at it! Great app!

[morgan_]

8 hours ago, Kamishiro_Rin said:

Interesting name. And I love the AI!

Now, because I speak Japanese, certain letter combos for non-English words cause me to think of their pronunciation as different from how others would. To give an example, a character in one of my other games is named "Hunni", which I pronounced as "HOON-nee", until they told me that it's supposed to be pronounced the same as "Honey". I still call her HOON-nee.

Anyway, is that "SAHS-suh-Moh-nuh" or "SASS-uh-Moh-nuh" or some other pronunciation I'm not thinking of?

Thanks; I photoshopped it a bit.

The intended pronunciation is SASS-uh-Moh-nuh, with the stress on the third syllable. I took her name from the anglicized version of a Wampanoag word for cranberry.

8 hours ago, Kamishiro_Rin said:

SHE MIGHT KNOW WENDY!

Thank you for sharing that. As a former semi-professional painter, I enjoyed reading about her career advancement.

I think if Sassamona did know Wendy, she'd feel some sleight hesitation when accepting a contract to fight goblins.

[Ayeba]

Your choice of music fits extremely well for the character. Kudos.

[Ayeba]

Congratulations on getting accepted in the dragonlance game. I'm not surprised; the combination of your concept, writing and role-playing was impossible to beat. I'll just have to hope that we both get in this game, 'cause I'd love to roleplay with you.