Subclass: Monks of Null

 Monks of Null are a Subclass of the Warrior Class. On an isolated island in the Central Sea just South of Caelum is the only Monastery of the Monks of Null. This secluded group has a deeply held belief that the Elements of Discarded World originate with a deep Evil that the seek to rid the World of. While most of the Monks do not believe that all Mystics are evil, they do believe that the source of their Magic is. Some Monks, however do not believe that any Mystic could work next to such Magic for any length of time and not know the evil beneath the surface.

The Monks of Null believe that the origin of the Elemental Magic is a dark worm god working in secret from deep within the ground. They call this dark god the “Rotten One.” They believe the Rotten One is manipulating the Mystic Academies and by extension all Mystics to enslave all of Discarded World. Many Monks believe that even the Empress has already been corrupted. Their Temple is built on a spot where they can reach the Rotten One. They Null it to keep it contained.

It is important to note that Null only works on Elemental Spells (Incantations, Potions and Rituals.) In other words, it does not affect naturally occurring magic effects, ones a creature is born with, nor magics powered by pools other than Ardor such as Fae Magic, Alchemy or Blood Magic.

Meditation
The Monks train their bodies and minds extensively to aid in their fight against the Rotten One and his Servants and have gained several tools in their fight. Through their Extensive training, they have gained the Special Skill Meditation. Whenever there is a distraction, the Monk may check Meditation to ignore it. In addition, if someone is attempting Magic or Manipulation on the Monk to detour them from a goal of defeating the Rotten One, the Monk may check Meditation to ignore the attempt. In a tie the Monk may spend a Determination to ignore it anyway.

Fighting Monks
Many of the Monks of Null tend to be pacifists but are most effective in a fight in pairs or groups. One monk will hold one form while the others use that form’s effect to their advantage in combat. It can be very difficult to fight while holding a form, so having another Monk to hold Null can be a great advantage. It is also possible to change from one form to another in a fight, or as the needs change. Monks of Null often engage in Unarmed combat. The player may use daggers of no more than 12” to represent “unarmed” combat. No punches or kicks will actually be allowed. The damage of these “unarmed” attacks will be the character’s Strength rating+ their Skill in Blunt Combat, possibly with modifiers added for claws or spines.

Forms
Monks of Null have “spells” of their own, called Forms to combat the Elemental Spells. They learn these Forms while training in their secluded Monastery. It is said that the cliffs and sea fill their lungs and become their bones when they learn them. They need no energy to use them, such as Ardor, nor any object such as a foci or components and Elemental spells to undo spells such as “Disenchant” have no effect on Forms. All of these Forms do essentially the same thing, but to different degrees and that is to undo the Elemental Magic of others. The Monk may perform any combination of Forms any number of times per day. Each of these Forms may be raised using experience at a rate of 8 Experience points X their Current Level. Each Rank in Each Form is how many Levels of Elemental Magic that can be Destroyed or Ignored.

If a Monk willingly accepts Elemental Magic used upon them, or should they hold or carry an Enchanted item without Destroying the Rotten One’s Magic they will lose access to their Forms until the problem is corrected or until the next sunrise.

Firm Hand Form

Stop this Mystic.
This Nullifies a Elemental spell up to the Monk’s ranks in this Form being cast by a mystic who the Monk is currently touching, or who touches the Monk. This includes distance spells and areas of effect. The Monk must hold up one hand in a firm “Stop” position for this Form to be in effect. They may not hold anything in that hand while performing this Form. This Form will not work on Magic that has already been cast, only currently in effective magic. It will prevent an artifact from using its effect, but not destroy the artifact.

Soft Hand Form

Protect me
With a closed hand held tightly against the waist or stomach the Monk provides Nullification to only themselves, making a shield of Null on them. This protects them from all spells previously cast on them as well as anything new for up to the Monk’s Ranks in this Form. It will prevent an artifact from using its effect, but not destroy the artifact. They may hold something in this hand but may not use that hand while holding this form.

Open Hand Form

Clear the Past
With and Open hand, palm upward, the Monk can Nullify one target of all spells already cast on them and therefor all spell effects that they are currently under up to their ranks in this form. They must be touching the target in order for this to be effective, unless they themselves are the target. If the target is an artifact, the Monk can destroy it. Unless re-enchanted, this effect is permanent. Please see Storyteller or Game Master if attempting to destroys a Player’s Artifact as this qualifies as CVC.

Closed Hand Form

 Null Wall
With both hands held tightly closed at about the Monk’s hips the Monk of Null creates and area of Null about 10-foot radius Null zone, behind them, where all spells are Nullified. This Nullifies all spells up to the Monk’s ranks in this form. This protects all those standing behind the Monk from spells while this form is held, but not the Monk. It will prevent an artifact from using its effect, but not destroy the artifact. They may hold something in their hands, but they may not use their hands.

Two Hand Form

Time Out
With two hands empty and spread wide the Monk Creates an area of about 10-foot radius where all spells are Nullified. This Nullifies all spells up to the Monk’s ranks in this form that are actively in effect, or attempted to be cast right now .It will prevent an artifact from using its effect, but not destroy the artifact.