Novice Monk

The Novice Monk is a supporting character in Home Sweet Home 2. Although largely passive, he is a compassionate and valuable ally to Tim.

Overview
The Novice Monk is a fairly young but wise man in monk attire, usually seen sitting in a Buddha pose. As monks tend to do, he works to elevate himself past all mortal and temporal matters to become enlightened, but has not fully succeeded yet in shedding his physical attachments.

Personalty
The Novice is an incredibly calm and passive character, never raising his voice and speaking mystically but rationally. He does his best to avoid conflict and guide people onto the right path, but refrains from getting involved as much as he can.

Story
The Novice came to Jane's attention when she sought help from his master, who refused to help her. Although the Novice's hands were similarly tied, he did give Jane a magic dagger to defend herself it the need arose. When Jane went missing in the Hindrance, he was unable to help her. When Tim also found himself in the Hindrance, he fell afoul of the hostile spirit of Ratri, who stabbed him and left him badly wounded. The Novice took Tim to his temple, sheltered him, and healed him but warned the man to go home and to let Jane go. His warning went unheeded when Tim went after Chai with Jane's dagger, but it was ineffective and broke on the Executioner's blade. Tim lost two fingers and a lot of blood from the encounter and was forced back to the temple to be rescued yet again by the Novice.

Understanding that Tim's stubbornness and love for Jane would not let him give up, he explained that they needed a more powerful dagger made out of Nona-metal, which was unavailable, but if Tim were to retrieve some components he would try to make "the next best thing." When Tim returned with a forged piece of metal, he brought the attention of a number of undead, and was forced to fend them off while the Novice completed the ritual to reform the dagger in its new, improved form. This required all of his remaining strength, leaving him unable to help further, although he wished Tim the best of luck.

As Tim finally fled the Hindrance after his last encounter with Chai, he was chased by the shaman's disembodied head but the Novice appeared from the light at the end of the tunnel, urging Tim onwards and saying he would take care of the rest.