[SenseiShotokan]

This is the official Monks history written by Square Enix. It was sold in japanese books long ago. Enioy.
The italic comments are not in the book, but are personal comments.



Monks are martial arts experts that have honed their very bodies into an awesome fighting force. Whether they use common clubs and staves or just their fists, they have the ability to deal out massive amounts of damage.


Temple Gaiters
These gaiters are designed to give maximum protection to the feet when kicking or blocking an enemy kick. They are crafted with an interior wrapping of cotton, surrounded by a leather covering.

Temple Gloves
These gloves cover the forearm with thick leather. They aid the Monk in not only punching and chopping, but grappling as well by having individual fingers.

Temple Crown
A headband designed to protect the skull, this hachimaki is outlined in gold. Fastened properly, it is said to raise your fighting spirit to the max.

Temple Cyclas
This sleeveless dogi is decorated with gorgeous embroidery. The portions covering the throat, shoulders and abdomen are made especially sturdy.

Temple Hose
These trousers are relatively short, which along with the relaxed fit of the legs, allows the Monk's footwork to remain quick and agile.

Fists of Cornelia

Cornelia was a martial artist and former member of the Mythril Musketeers. Thirty years ago, she travelled north, never to return. To one fellow musketeer, she was a kind and gentle girlfriend, but she was once a hothead, who would rush headlong into battle with wild abandon. Desiring revenge on her brother enemies, she sought power as a martial artist and became a pupil of Oggbi, a Galka Monk. It was during her time as a student that she had her fated meeting with Raogrimm, and suddenly feelings of revenge began to fade for love and sensitivity.

Oggbi recalls memories of Cornelia as you hone your own fists to become a Monk under his tutelage. True strength comes from having something to protect, he says. Is there something you will use your fists to protect?

Oggbi


Oggbi is an old, well-built Galka who can always be found drinking at the Steaming Sheep in Port Bastok. Oggbi was the teacher of deceased Mythril Musketeer Cornelia, as well as the adventurer Dalzakk. His fighting style is a conglomeration of martial arts employed by Monks in the East, and military training in San d'Oria. With this fusion of techniques, he has forged a new path as a Monk, which he passes down to adventurers.

Ordinarily, he appears to be drunk, but in reality his skill exceeds that of even the Mythril Musketeers. His one regret is that he was never able to pass on his signature technique, Asuran Fists, to his former pupil, Cornelia. To this day, he still drinks as he reminisces on the potential she had to master that technique and waits for someone who is worthy.

Abilities
Hundred Fists
A secret technique that pummels through the enemies defenses with repeated blows that are quicker than the eye can follow. It can even be used while wielding a club or staff.

Focus
By honing one mind and spirit, a Monk can anticipate an enemy movements and raise the accuracy of their attacks.

Chakra
This ability awakens the Seven Points within one body, drawing forth life energy. This not only heals the Monk, but cures status effects like Poison and Blind.

Chi Blast
An embodiment of one chi shaped as ball, this ability fires forth energy, which unlike a normal attack, cannot miss.

Weapons and Armor

Spartan Cesti
These fist-shaped hand-to-hand weapons were named for an ancient race of legendary grapplers. They always strove to push their bodies to the limit, so while these cesti are extremely heavy, with proper training they can deliver the ultimate punch.

Indra Katars
These katars have been bestowed with the name of Indra, a god of war from the Southern lands. These weapons allow you throw out punches so fast, they say it is as if you actually possess the four arms of Indra. In addition, sometimes the lightning gods power will burst forth from the tips.

Cross Counters
These darksteel knuckles are named for the special boxing technique they enhance. (When a fighter executes a counter blow, their arm crosses the opponents arm) It is said that those who equip these knuckles become skilled at countering attacks.

Dune Boots
These specially treated boots are perfect for desert travel and were utilized by a tribe who lived in the desert. It seems they were not only suited for harsh conditions, but also made durable to withstand the frenzied dances of the tribe.


Tiger Mask
This headpiece is crafted by shaving the fur from a black tigers head, and using the skull as a frame, adding wyvern skin to reinforce its defensive strength. The wearer is able to compose his mind and spirit to make his body like steel, and strike fear into their enemies.


Jujitsu Gi
This particular gi is used when practicing Jujitsu, which is an ancestral style of martial arts in which one grapples and throws their enemy to the ground. It is designed to allow freedom of movement so the wearer can keep pace with the enemy.


Pictures and translated information are from Final Fantasy XI Life in Vana’diel, published by Enterbrain

[Vormov]

cool thanks.

[Seibar]

thanks, was too difficult going to BG too read this.
much easier now

[Jeho]

Temple Gloves
These gloves cover the forearm with thick leather. They aid the Monk in not only punching and chopping, but grappling as well by having individual fingers.

Jujitsu Gi
This particular gi is used when practicing Jujitsu, which is an ancestral style of martial arts in which one grapples and throws their enemy to the ground. It is designed to allow freedom of movement so the wearer can keep pace with the enemy.

The new MNK job ablitity should be:

Ground and Pound. Man, I'd love to see a move like that. lol

Thanks for this info by the way. +1

[Cyprias]

I thought this was really cool.

[monstrouswombat]

I've read this somewhere on KI before.
Was a fun re-read tho.

[pathwriter]

Probably not KI, but Elmer the Pointy posted all this stuff to BG a year or two ago.

[monstrouswombat]

Might have just been linked to BG then.

[SenseiShotokan]

Probably not KI, but Elmer the Pointy posted all this stuff to BG a year or two ago.

Yes that's why JP button is in the source. The posted on BG is not there anymore between for those that didn't know. If you open the link there you'll see nothing.