Class Chronicles
The Monk – students of the strength within

Welcome to Class Chronicles, your source to the different professions around the worlds of Final Fantasy!!

In this edition, we are to speak about a mystical profession. It is difficult to consider them a mere profession, it is better to consider them followers of a unique lifestyle. Few would imagine that, in enclosed monasteries high above the mountains of the Twelve Worlds; amongst the individuals honing their bodies, their minds, and their spirits; amongst the tranquility of the sight, heroes of great caliber could be born. Few less would imagine that, within the loud screams of the taverns, or even in ornate and complex dojos, different versions of the same arts practiced by our featured profession could appear.

We are to speak, of course, of the Monk.

History of the Monks

Unlike other professions, the history of the ascetics we often know as “Monks” is rich and varied. First and foremost, there is no established “Guild” for Monks; instead, we have several monasteries and training grounds for those who wish to develop the inner strength and experience inner peace. There is some dispute as to which the first monastery was, or who was the first practitioner, but it is well understood that the first Monk was a hermit, a being that grew tired of the so-called “traps” of civilization. From the weapons used by these master warriors, it can be inferred that the first Monk probably wore no more than a simple robe, perhaps a walking stick as a way of self-defense and as an aid, and no material belongings. From information gathered through the scrolls of various monasteries (to which the masters kindly pointed us toward) the reason why the first Monks (speaking in plural as the various names imply that there was more than one precursor) paved the way to the monastic arts was due to a combination of factors. One, the first Monks all shared a disdain for the “hollow path” of civilization, which they felt was a lie from which they had to awaken. The precursors felt that civilization, with its walls and roads, prevented the individual from growing. The second reason was, as before mentioned, growth; the first Monks felt that their time in civilization had made them weak, unprepared to the forces of nature, and that the weapons and tools of civilization represented only a false hope of security. They felt they needed to hone their inner strength, to understand their position in nature, in order to truly be safe and secure from the forces of nature. Third, their dissatisfaction with the resources of spiritual growth; the first Monks felt that “the communion with the higher beings” could not be achieved through ritualistic processions and through intermediaries, but through meditation and strict discipline. Finally, the mention of discipline gives a distant fourth reason: the desire of these individuals to escape the Chaos sweeping through the Worlds.

Scholar Herrik Bordamson, esteemed scholar in the area of professions, gives a very similar explanation of the foundations of the first monasteries. In his words; “[…] the first Monks exist as a result of social evolution. The first tribes, wild as they may be, hold the first examples of both structured civilization and spiritual connection. The first cities pioneered the advance of civilization. Monks believe that this growth in civilization was achieved at the expense of a decline in spiritual growth; their only solution was a return to nature, but without backtracking to the first tribes. It was then, that the first Monks realized that spiritual growth was best achieved through halting their procession through the path of civilization, through removing themselves from the gears of civilization, and communing with nature once again by means of seclusion and strict discipline.” As to why Monks grew to be so disciplined and strict; “[…] the reason why Monks must be strict and disciplined is a homage to how the first Monks achieved spiritual growth. On their own, they had to find their own food, their own shelter, and sometimes these ‘commodities’ were scarce. If they were to conquer their own need for safety, they had to confront this false need, by conquering the needs of their own bodies. If they could find food, they indulged in their need, but they knew that eventually one day they would not find that food, and hence they decided to train their body to resist the urges when food was scarce. In that way, Monks learned how to appreciate when food was abundant, learned how to withstand their needs when food was scarce, and learned how they could subsist through their own, inner strength. In this reasoning, the first Monks found, much as the philosophers and scholars of our time, a way to improve their own lives. The main difference lies on that Monks still refuse to acknowledge the advances of civilization, and disdain the life of the cities.”

The first instances of monastic arts appear in the First World, amongst the legendary Warriors of Light. The Library of Corneria mentions about a hermit who answered the call of the king, dressed on rugged attire, and apparently with no other weapon than its own fists. The Second World has a specific mention of an individual who apparently practiced the monastic arts, in the annals of the Rebellion of the Wild Rose. The annals mention about a man known as Josef of Salamand, a former Paramecian soldier who fled the Imperial forces and aided the heroes of the Wild Rose Rebellion, to the cost of his own life. In the script, it was mentioned that Josef was “a very strong man, renowned for his ability to withstand the cold air of the Northern Lands, who could face many with just his fists.” The fact that he was not a hermit, nor he practiced monastic arts exclusively has caused many scholars to consider him outside of the known examples of monastic artists around the Worlds, with varied examples such as that of scholars Bordamson and Previa. A famous monastery, a rarity since it is a monastic kingdom, is the kingdom of Fabul in the Fourth World, led by king Yang Fang Leiden, and holding powerful monastic warriors such as Lady Ursula, princess of Fabul. These two warriors aided in the constant battles of the Fourth World, and are renowned heroes amongst the land.

The World of Balance also holds a legendary monastery, which was thought to be lost after the events of the World of Ruin. This small monastery, or rather a school of monastic arts as they hold no dojo to practice, is led by the enigmatic Vargas, and teaches the legendary monastic art of “Blitz”, also known as “the Arts of Lightning-Fast Combat” or even “the Arts of Death”, for their incredible power. One of its most famous practitioners is the prince of Figaro, sir Sabin Rene Figaro. The Planet holds no monasteries except the schools of martial arts hidden within the island of Wutai, but a few schools of combat exist scattered around the world. While we, fair readers, have found few of interest, such as the “Big Bro’s School of Brawling” once led by the…ahem…charming “Big Bro”, we found a fine example of a practitioner of true monastic arts in the charming personality of miss Tifa Lockheart, owner of the new and revamped “Seventh Heaven” in the town of Edge. While few would imagine this wonderful lady to be a renowned hero and expert monastic artist, a swift demonstration of her arts proved us entirely wrong. While we couldn’t figure out the name of her teacher, some gossip we recollected told us about a mysterious figure known as Zangan, an old ascetic living in the old town of Nibelheim, and the same sources have also spoken of a secret fan club composed of aspiring brawlers, hoping to learn the “Nine Secret Arts of Limit Break Martial Arts”, as they call the monastic arts practiced by this wondrous lady.

During our travel throughout the Worlds, we’ve come to the surprising discovery of a set of monastic arts taught entirely through magazines such as this one you are holding, dear reader. Surprisingly enough, the strikes and moves taught in the Eighth World’s brawler-dedicated periodical Combat King, a magazine devoted to “martial” arts of the Eighth World, and that are in supposed plans of expansion. During our stay, the issue of Combat King of the month (issue 8th) led us to young star Zell Dincht, who has astonished us for the sole reason of being one of the heroes that saved this world from various perils and also one of the few brawlers produced under the renowned SeeD program. Of course, Gaia is not the exception; during our investigation, we have found news about a powerful outlaw and brawler known only as “the Flaming Amarant”, who allegedly practices most of the disciplines oft reputed to Monks, such as his rampant desire for ascetism and his loner personality. The World of Spira holds perhaps one of the most famous monasteries, the Warrior Monks of the (former) Yevon religion, a religious-military order of ascetics devoted to the beliefs of Yevon. While the Yevonite religion has officially fallen in disarray, these warriors devote fervently into the old religion’s teachings, to the point one of its members became a Maester of the religion, and they remained even unto the reformed New Yevon League. It is said that one of the legendary guardians, sir Auron, was also a member of the Warrior Monks before his pilgrimage. Unlike other Monks, these are part of civilization and use firearms during combat, although they also train under other traditional weapons.

The lands of Vana’diel and Ivalice also hold ancient monastic orders scattered around. Vana’diel holds a varied set of monastic orders, both between the Five Races and amongst the beastmen. Some scholars believe that the first Monks of Vana’diel learned their arts from a basis on the combat style of Mandragoras, plant-based creatures inhabiting most forests and plains. There is no specific monastery or training school of great importance in the cities of Vana’diel, but many warriors begin their careers as prospective Monks. Ivalice held for many years a unique style of monastic art practiced only by the Bangaa tribes, which became the basis of their own religion. The monastic arts of the Bangaa, both the adept-level “Kiaido Discipline” and the master-level “Banbangaa” arts (the names of the arts based on recently unearthed writings of the Age of Miracles), eventually developed into the monastic arts practiced during important ages in Ivalice, such as the “War of the Lions”.

Qualities of Monks

At first sight, it is difficult to understand the complexity of the varied arts practiced by the Monks, the so-called “monastic arts” or “martial arts”, a term coined by many inhabitants of the Twelve Worlds. In essence, Monks are physical combatants, dexterous in hand-to-hand combat. While they may use unique weapons such as solid knuckles (such as the Cestus), combat gloves, embedded claws, quarterstaves, or even a unique weapon known as the “nunchaku”, most Monks prefer to fight bare handed, using nothing else than their fists and feet. While not a recommended “weapon” to use as taught by many warrior schools, Monks have learned to enhance their strikes to deal lethal damage to a variety of opponents. Their bare-handed strikes allow them to cause great damage despite the quantity of armor protecting their opponent. As well, their natural agility and arm strength makes them capable of dodging even the most precise of hits, and they forswear the use of heavy armor, some reaching the limits of wearing no armor whatsoever.

The main ability of Monks derive in the wide set of arts they can learn and practice, making the monastic arts one of the most varied and deadly of warrior arts. Originally, Monks only depended on the power of their fists and the resilience of their bodies, but as time passed, their arts refined to encompass a variety of abilities. First, Monks mastered the art of counter-attacking, an ability where the aggression of the combatant is returned by taking advantage of the openings in the attack motion of their opponent. Monks are reputed in being the pioneers on the area of counter-attack tactics, a talent now developed by many fighting classes. Monks of greater mastery, often known as “Master Monks”, or simply “Masters”, mastered the art (no pun intended) of enhancing the power of their next strikes by means of focusing their ki, their inner strength. This breakthrough in combat came at a price; the backlash of storing too much their strength was devastating enough. Yet, the discovery of ki led Monks to advance their abilities to unimaginable levels. For example, the monks of Fabul learned the ability to use their ki to withstand lethal strikes through the technique of “Girding”, as well as the ability to strike as many enemies as possible through the art of the “Flying Kick”. Later, their advancement allowed them to study the so-called “pressure points”, or chakra, of their bodies and use their ki to withstand wounds to the point of relieving pain and even healing wounds.

The advancement of the monastic arts varies widely since then. For example, the arts of “Blitz” are very complete in the sense that they provide a wide variety of moves for a wide variety of situations; from dealing multiple strikes with their “Raging Fist” tactic, to dealing great punishment to a single target with their “Meteor Strike” grab, mastering the healing arts of “Mantra”, expelling ki through their “Aura Cannon”, their “Rising Phoenix” and “Razor Gale” techniques, and even sacrificial moves such as the “Soul Spiral”. Some state of secret and legendary “Blitz” techniques such as the “Blizzard Fist” technique or the “Phantom Rush” technique, as well. A very different example lies within the techniques of the “Limit Break Martial Arts”, which are meant to be executed in a single combination, where precision and timing are essential. Perhaps the most potent example is the so called “Nine Secret Arts” combination, a set of moves with a flowing water motif and ending in a devastating exploding strike. Yet another example of the vast difference in monastic arts is the “Duel” style, which relies on improvisation and adapting some of the combination moves of the “Limit Break Martial Arts”. A unique discovery we’ve found is that, apparently, the “Limit Break Martial Arts” and the “Duel” style of monastic arts share some similarities in finishing moves, such as the alleged “Final Heaven Fist” attack. As well, we have the “Flair” style of monastic arts, a balanced battle style composed of few moves, holding powerful abilities such as restorative and even life-restoring abilities, while holding deadly moves such as elemental-weakening curses and brutal strikes.

To understand the varied abilities of Monks, it is better to understand a part of their philosophy. The monastic combat arts of Monks are to be divided into two encompassing groups. One group deals with the force of “Yin”, a philosophical construction that represents positive qualities; the “Yin Arts” or the “White Arts” encompass most of the healing abilities, from the simple “Chakra” healing technique, to varied arts such as the “Aura” support technique, the wide-healing “Mantra” ability, the “Girding” defensive move, all the way to the legendary ability to “Call Back” the souls of fallen allies. The other side of the monastic combat arts deals with the force of “Yang”, a philosophical construct which represents negative qualities; the “Yang” arts encompass most of the offensive techniques, from the simple counter and “Boost” moves, all the way to the deadly “Secret Countdown Fist” technique, rumored to slay individuals with a mere strike, after some time. If we consider all monastic arts as following this philosophy, we can understand why some moves of a specific monastic art seem to overlap or act differently than other monastic arts. This explains why there are many variations of the “Chakra” and “Mantra” healing techniques, or the many varieties of physical strikes; by reuniting all arts within the principles of “Yin” and “Yang”, we can understand not only how the monastic arts work at a glance, but also how powerful can Monks be, and also the reason why most abilities overlap; because they tap upon one of the two philosophical aspects of the inner strength. A Monk must strive towards balancing these aspects if it seeks to become a great warrior.

Interview

As with the earlier edition, we are sorry to inform that we could not find any of the exemplars of monastic arts that we sought to find. Our colleagues at Combat King magazine have allowed us to use their interview with Zell Dincht, but at the close of this edition we have not been able to receive the original document. We excuse for the inconvenience, and we thank the editor of Combat King for helping us; we shall publish with their permission the interview hopefully come next edition.

Curiosities about Monks

·The Twelve Worlds hold a wide variety of monastic arts, but did you know that some of them are NOT practiced by Monks? The art of Ninjitsu, specifically the arts of Taijutsu, are an example of monastic art practiced by non-Monks.
·Did you know that Monks have several degrees of mastery? Monks as we know them are already masters of their arts, having mastered the kyu degrees of their monastic arts (a rough equivalent to combat arts of adept level). True Masters still hold different degrees, but these are known as dan degrees.
·Did you know that Monks are known as “Black Belts” and “Karatekas”? The nickname of “Black Belts” comes from the last degree of adept-level monastic art, which is represented by a black cloth belt. The name of “Karateka” comes from the lost art of “Karate”, rumored to be practiced in the Third World and from where one of the most famous abilities of Monks (their “Boost” ability) emerges.
·Did you know that the Monk is one of the so called “legendary professions”? This is because each of these professions have been found in virtually all worlds, in one way or another. Monks hold the unique distinction in that their arts are practiced in ALL dimensions.
·Did you know that the profession of a Monk is tied to the Crystal of Wind? Official historical documents from Sasune Castle in the Third World and Tycoon Castle on the Fifth World state that the first Monks sealed their knowledge upon the Wind Crystal, as local legends state that “when the Crystals are endangered, the Wind Crystal will be the first to react.” These documents were discovered while researching the stories of the legendary heroes.
·Did you know that, despite the near-superhuman abilities of Monks, these rarely find themselves popular amongst classes? Most people fear that the lack of reliance on protective gear, the fact that mastering all monastic arts takes more than the average race’s life expectancy, and that most Monks are hermits living in dangerous places, are not as worthy as practicing with swords or learning magical arts.

We expect that the following information helps prospective adventurers to find the profession that suits their needs. Next time on “Class Chronicles”, we will study closely the magical profession of the White Mage. Known widely as healers and altruists, few realize the great connection these magicians hold with the divine. How do men and women of the cloth have help to save the world? Read our next issue to find out.

Until next time!!