Here are my problems with fantasy monks and in some cases, proposed alternatives:
1. They have Chi which is not compatible with the supernatural aspects of my setting. Chi does not exist in my setting. Shadowrun has a nice middle ground in the Adept which uses magic like Chi or in lieu of Chi to be fast and strong, but this is not how my magic system works either!
2. If the fantasy setting has dragons, then I assume the monk will have to punch a dragon at some point. Punching dragons is tonally cartoonish and undesirable to me. I think punching dragons suits something like Dragon Ball Z, not my preferred fantasy stories.
3. Pugilism is under explored in fantasy. Boxing and grappling do not need to be supernaturally powerful. Pugilists were TOUGH and cool, and could suit a low fantasy setting. Give them some punching knuckles to make up for the fact that they don't have Chi to protect their fists or potentially to allow them to punch ghosts or through armor and we're good.
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