1) Because the monks of the East were NOT knights in any sense of the word, even the warrior-monks.
The Templars were knights who took some monastic vows. That's their only "monkish" aspect. They were knights first and foremost in terms of what abilities they had if one wrote them up in a game (realistic or not so realistic).
2) Saw, you say. What about read? Is anything of Howard's writting including monks? This isn't meant to be arguementive, but Howard is an author whose canon was not respected by those who wrote from bits of his stories.
3) Friar Tuck fights like a Fighter, other than the armor bit. None of the Still Mind, Deflect Arrows, Ki Strike, etc.
D&D monks are definately a reflection of the Orient. Ki strike? Ki? There's no real Western equivalant to ki.
4) The base game really doesn't. D&D is "High Fantasy with a lot of stuff that doesn't mix together and no kind of coherent setting to tie it together, here, you (to the DM) sort it out."
Personally, while I find Wuxia cool, I would rather not use monks unless they can be fitted into a coherent (but by no means necessarily quasi-European) setting where they're understandable.
As to Wuxia fans (as in, people who want to play it) and want to play monks...
I've a suggestion. Who here wants the stuff included? Not just "is interested in it'. Who here wants to mix it in and try and ensure it all makes sense together?
Anyone who says yes, its your job (though others should and can pitch in) to sort out what stuff to keep of the old monk (possibly beefed up, but what abilities).
Ultimately, I don't want to dictate "play in this setting or else" when we get our Rebalanced D&D out. But I do want a coherent setting where it all ties together so that we can show people that yes, they can work side by side, yes, it does make sense (even if not in -our- reality, the reality of the players) and is believable.
After all, a cool setting is fun to develop. And knowing what is the reason behind X existing will help define what X is.
D&D is not and never will be a generic system, though it may be one with several forms it can take. So a generic class/race/whatever would be too dull.
Sorry there not a poll system El... and even if you took a vote what good would it do?
People are going to fix and discuss what they want to fix and discuss, you and I. We're not going to disagree, so we may as well move on, to something we might agree on.
For the record, no I read, Howard, and there are "monks" of both kinds. Or at least esoteric fighters or whatever but really it all blends in. Also I'm done with the line by line argument between us. Its all so nitpicky
However, I will leave you with a parting breakdown...
Ultimately, I don't want to dictate "play in this setting or else"
Seems to me you ultimately "do". YMMV
When we get our Rebalanced D&D out.
I like that. A very hopefull setimient
But I do want a coherent setting where it all ties together so that we can show people that yes, they can work side by side, yes, it does make sense (even if not in -our- reality, the reality of the players) and is believable.
1.
Aber-Toril: Faerun. Unapproachable east. Mulholarand. Calisham. Chult.
And Earth: Europe. Bablyonia/Persia. Asia. Eygypt. Africa/South America
I belive we can have coherence without having to play "Anglo-Saxon" land thank you. Much like real life, worlds are diverse. Sense is relative. Sense is what you make it. In your case... not much this time.
Unless you're telling me you find earth a non "coherent setting"
2. It is more generic than you give it credence for being. D&D is not a Fantasy world Europe. Or at least it doesn't have to be. You seem to want it to be but its not.
We have info and tech, and ideas enough, that it is indeed generic. 27-ish classes in the core, complete, and phb 2 alone... + the TOB and more if we look.
So basically, you telling me "D&D's not meant to be generic." Is the same as what you say above about MonksD&D+Europe. Largely opinion, largely irrelavent. *shrug*.
It may not has started out with the intent to be, but as it is now it has enough parts to allow for character representation of almost all we want to play. Which is important... as people will want to make...
Whats that main characther from Bleach? Yeah him. and others. I don't gel with the grognard logic.