The Monks of Shimura

gibbypoo

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History:

Long before there were lightsabers there were Jedi. After the invention of those graceful weapons, Jedi began to lose sight of what the Force was all about and fall into the Dark trap of technology, or so the revered Master Kambei Shimura thought. The Knighthood was beginning to rely too much on "convenient" technology. That's not the way of life; the way of the Force. Jedi after Jedi took up the saber and left for the stars and the adventures they contained. A Jedi craves not these things. Disgusted at the behavior of his fellow Jedi, Shimura broke away from the Academy with a handful of devoted students and established a Temple on the sixth moon of the third planet of the Nikus system. There he taught his disciples the true gifts of the Force: perfection through inner peace, compassion, contemplation and, ironically, tolerance.


Millennia passed and student after student joined the Brotherhood and learned the teachings of Shimura and the way of Ka, the religious philosophy of the Monks. Similar to Zen, Ka teaches the inner spirituality of life and the soul. Everything is provided by the Force, there is little need for cold, unfeeling mechanisms.


Beliefs/Lifestyle:

1) Avoid the use of (unnecessary) technology. "There is nothing that technology may provide that the Force cannot. Why artificially radiate food when nature provides fire? Why ride aback metal creatures when the wind can send you across sea just as surely? Technology is quick and easy. These are traits of the Dark Side. Life should be neither." Although it is true that nothing can be provided by science that the Force cannot, very few Jedi have been able to step across worlds. The modern Brotherhood believes it is in the spirit of Ka to except one's limitations. The Monks will avoid most technology whenever possible (datapads, blasters, lightsabers, scanners, holocrons, bacta tanks, etc.) but will reluctantly use other forms (starships) when needed (which isn't often. Followers of Shimura discourage "adventuring" and tend to live entire lives in their Temples. The rare exceptions are traveling teachers and emissaries).

A Shimuran Monk would never accept cybernetic replacements or enhancements, nor are they likely to associate with droids.


2) The way of Shimura is the way of Ka. All answers may be found in its techniques. Ka is the foundation of all Shimura's teachings. When a student is first accepted into the Brotherhood he begins learning Ka. First simple koans and history and later develop the physical disciplines. In line with the Brotherhood's beliefs, the process is not quick or easy... it takes several years of hard work and devotion.


3) Follow the Jedi Code. Although the Knighthood has allowed technology to cloud their judgment, the Shimuran Monks still believe in the Code.


4) Tolerate the misgivings of others. Shimuran Monks are not retro, anti-technology fundamentalists. They do not attack technological centers or those who choose to use technology, nor do they harass commuters at starports with pamphlets cursing them for their way of life. They simply have a different outlook on life. If asked, they will tell a koan of enlightenment. If sought out, they will teach their beliefs (but only those who prove worthy will learn Ka). The Monks do not hate the Jedi; in fact, they feel sorrow for their fallen brothers and would do anything to help bring them back to the Light.


The Art of Ka:

The Monks of Shimura are best known for their mastery of Ka, their proto-martial art. Practice of Ka strengthens the mind, body, and soul. Masters of this art are capable of incredible feats. Through Ka, Shimuran contemplative seek perfection and enlightenment, and with it, they stand powerfully against all who would threaten the sanctity of their Temples. Ka can be broken down into three parts: Skill (Ka Lore), Martial Art (Ka Combat), and Force Powers (Ka and Empower Self). Those who are not Force-Sensitive may join the Brotherhood and learn the first two aspects of Ka but not the third.


Skill (Ka Lore):
Description: This Knowledge based skill represents the philosophical teachings of Ka. Through development of this skill, the Monks intimately learn the foundations of the Force and the Universe as well as the pre-lightsaber Jedi Knighthood.
Notes: This skill is often used to 1) spin a useful (albeit confusing) tale, 2) teach the beliefs of Kambei Shimura, and 3) seek enlightenment. When a Monk is uncertain (Should I take an umbrella today? Which path is safest? Will this man betray me? Is this door trapped? etc.) he may meditate on the Ka. All answers are contained in its many teachings.


Martial Art (Ka Combat):
Description: This style of combat draws on the users mastery of Ka, focusing on defense, efficiency and redirection. In lieu of modern weapons, Monks are able to dedicate all of their combat training to martial disciplines and with a heightened focus on tuning the body with the Force to enhance combat effectiveness. The ability to weave a superior mastery of the Force with the body in motion simultaneously grants the Monk a skillset that is hard to match.


Force Powers (Ka and Empower Self):
Ka
Control Difficulty: Moderate
Sense Difficulty: Moderate
Note: This Power is exclusively used by Monks of Shimura. This Power may be kept "up."
Notes: Only followers of Shimura should have any knowledge of Ka. Learning Ka takes much longer than learning other skills/powers. Disciples of Shimura are dedicated to the slow, rewarding path of the Force, and their style of teaching reflects those beliefs. Learning Ka requires several years (at least 3) of intensive study at a Temple (the power “Ka” may not be learned until the student has first learned the skill “Ka Lore” and the special ability “Ka Combat”).
Effect: Ka is more than just a power, it is a philosophy and code which describes and dictates all influences in a Disciple of Shimura’s life. Every movement, kata, and breath tells a story and teaches a lesson. When activated, a Jedi enters a state similar to Lightsaber Combat where he extends his senses and control of the Force around him to enhance his effectiveness in hand-to-hand combat.


Empower Self
Sense Difficulty: Moderate
Alter Difficulty: Moderate
This power may be kept “up.”
Note: This Power is exclusively used by Monks of Shimura.
Required Powers: Ka
Effect: When this power is activated an energy field surrounds the body (especially the hands and forearms) of the Monk (follower of Shimura) allowing him to parry and deflect blaster bolts as well as lightsabers.
 

gibbypoo

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As you can see, there's not much there that isn't backstory that I would use for my character, specifically the "why" he wouldn't use a lightsaber. The only caveat being the new Force Powers, one of which is simply another name for 'Zen' and the other (Empower Self) would allow the character to be able to defend himself in a fight against a blaster or a lightsaber.

Thanks!
 

The Good Doctor

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Hey there. Really due to the way force powers work on here, they don't need to be listed. And a lot of these powers anyone can really do.

http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/guide-to-force-powers.64253/

With that said, force powers need concentration. Like, trying to use the force to parry a lightsaber without a weapon is extremely risky and is very draining. And for the 'buffs' you need to concentrate and you can't use any other force powers while it's active.
 

gibbypoo

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Okay, great! I was hoping that the fact that the character would have eschewed technology would grant them a better understanding and use of the Force. Sort of like if a Jedi Knight has to spend half their time (or a third or a quarter, etc.) learning to use a lightsaber and fighting with said weapon, that time would have been spent becoming more familiar and better equipped to use the Force.

While I agree that it would be draining, a Monk could handle it better than someone not as familiar with the Force.

Thanks!
 

Malon

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I will approve this as Personal Lore, however, I agree with Lightspeed. These Monks are no more dedicated to the Force than the Jedi just because they forsake the use of technology such as a lightsaber. That means that they wouldn't be any more or less skilled than a Jedi of comparable training and rank. This is backed up by the fact that many Force traditions do not make use of the lightsaber and, yet, the Jedi and the Sith still hold superiority in the realms of Force mastery.

Please make edits to reflect this, and I will approve this lore.
 
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