Mad Monks

Mad Monks, alternatively known as the Grounds Keepers, were the inhabitants of the Asylum Grounds where they wandered around, shovels in hand.

Mad Monk
Biographical information
AKA	The Grounds Keeper Franken-Gardener
Gender	Male
Weapon(s)	Shovel
Gameplay information
Soul type	Minor Evil
Health	220 HP
Damage dealt	Shovel attack: 15 HP 15 0 0 0
Damage taken	Standard (1x) Standard (1x) Standard (1x) Standard (1x)
Entity	MadMonk
Behind the scenes information
Appears in	MediEvil (1998) The Asylum Grounds MediEvil (2019) The Asylum Grounds

History

14th century

These undead madmen guarded the Asylum Grounds. They went insane after the disappearance of the Head Monk of the Asylum. They would sleep in open graves scattered throughout the hedge maze. Their bretheren would wake them by ringing bells situated near their sleeping spots.

Characteristics

Appearance

Mad Monks were undead men who had sickly green skin. They had large heads which appeared to be stitched up. They had wonky red eyes, protruding yellow teeth and prominent ears. The monks wore simple brown robes tied around their waist with a thick rope-like belt. They were known to carry shovels around with them.

Gameplay

Overview

The monks will wander around trying to hit Sir Dan with a shovel. Some monks will immediately make their way to a bell which will wake up more nearby monks. It is recommended that players prevent them from doing this initially. However, the bell will need to be rung regardless if one wishes to acquire the Chalice of Souls in the level.

MediEvil (1998 original)

Animations

Mad Monks have 5 animations in the original game:

• 

  Walking animation.

• 

  Attack animation.

• 

  Recoil animation.

• 

  Jump animation.

• 

  Death animation.

Official Strategy Guide entry

The Grounds Keepers might have been normal, law-abiding every day citizens. But, after years tending to this bizarre and twisted landscape neighboring the asylum, they've lost their marbles as well. Throw in a dash of Zarok's bad juju and it's a recipe for disaster four our old friend Fortesque. While they might look a bit portly, these crazies are tough, requiring multiple hits from just about any weapon. Get in close and chop away with your Broad Sword, until they are ashes and dust.

MediEvil (2019 remake)

Book of Gallowmere entry

Disciples of the head monk, these men of the cloth have been driven mad by the disappearance of their master - and Jack's incessant ramblings.

The harsh chime of a bell tells them an unwelcome guest has arrived. Or that it's time for dinner. Perhaps both!

Behind the scenes

Development

MediEvil (1998 original)

Human version

Concept art by Jason Wilson.

In concept art and early game versions such as the MediEvil Rolling Demo and the MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha, the monks are not undead, but human. Some of them are peaceful, tiptoeing around the grounds on bare feet with their hands clasped in prayer, chanting. Others wield shovels and attack Dan much like their final iteration. Killing them would earn Dan 200 points. These elements were likely removed to avoid religious backlash.

This early version of the Mad Monks had seven animations, two of which were cut:

• 

  Walking animation.

• 

  Attack animation.

• 

  Recoil animation.

• 

  Praying walk animation (cut).

• 

  Unknown animation (cut).

• 

  Jump animation.

• 

  Death animation.

US revision

A group of grounds keepers attacking Sir Dan.

The monks' design was further altered for the US release of the game where their costumes were retextured to look more like that of a gardener than a monk. This is also reflected by their name in the US guide book being "the Grounds Keepers." According to the game's designer and lead artist Jason Wilson, this change was made due to cultural differences, specifically the deep religiosity of some areas of the United States. This change was also retained for the Japanese version, likely because it was based on the US version of the game.

• 

  Walking animation.

• 

  Attack animation.

• 

  Recoil animation.

• 

  Jump animation.

• 

  Death animation.

Evolution of the Mad Monks

• 

  Human version.

• 

  European version.

• 

  US version.

MediEvil: Resurrection

Concept art by Mark Gibbons (top left).

According to Dominic Cahalin, the game's lead designer, The Asylum Grounds level was set to appear in the game. The level was cut out due to development time restrictions. Artist Mark Gibbons produced some concept art of the Mad Monks. In it, they appear to be hooded and inebriated, wielding a mug of beer in one hand and a flail in the other.

MediEvil (2019 remake)

In the 2019 remake of the game, the Mad Monks remain undead, appearing as they did in the European versions of the original game. However, there is artwork in The Art of MediEvil of a Mad Monk looking like they did in the North American versions of the original.

Gallery

Main article: Images of mad monks

In other languages

Language	Name
Arabic	الرهبان المجانين alruhban almajanin
Bulgarian	Луди монаси Ludi monasi
Croatian	Ludi redovnici
Czech	Šílení mniši
Danish	Gale Munke
Dutch	Dolle monniken
Finnish	Hullut munkit
French (France)	Moines fous
German	Verrückte Mönche
Greek	Τρελαμένοι Μοναχοί Trelaménoi Monachoí
Hungarian	Őrült szerzetesek
Italian	Monaci folli
Japanese	マッドモンク Maddomonku
Norwegian	Gale monker
Polish	Szaleni mnisi
Portuguese (Brazil)	Frades Loucos
Portuguese (Portugal)	Monges Loucos
Romanian	Călugării Nebuni
Russian	Безумные монахи Bezumnye monakhi
Spanish (LatAm)	Monjes demenciales
Spanish (Spain)	Monjes locos
Swedish	Galna Munkar
Turkish	Deli Keşişler