New Monk question

[Navarr]

Though I played the original EQ for many years, I never played a Monk. I made a human monk in Qeynos (on Green) who is now almost level 7. Reading the wiki I see a section about some kind of weight penalty and have NO idea how that applies! Based on the character window, I can carry up to 96 (my adjusted strength) but the wiki says I get penalized for over about 14. What I don't understand is WHAT is being penalized? AC? ATK? ???

My wife's character is a tailor (skill in the 80's) and can currently make me the Monk Only silk armor or any type of leather. Obviously the leather is better AC but heavier. Do I ask her to make me the silk anyway? Does the lighter weight make up for the lost AC somehow?

Obviously I am very confused about the "weight penalty" so a simple explanation of it would help a TON!!

Thanks in advance,

Navvarr, level 25 Ranger (main)
Strykarr, level 6 Monk (not particularly twinked)
and a few more in between

[Lampolo]

You will see your ac drop as you add weight. You'll have no penalty if weight is low enough.

It creates a mini game of weight management

[Loiterius]

It reinforces that old idea of the penniless bad ass.

[Navarr]

Ok, so AC drops. So I guess I will have my wife's tailor make me a full set of the Monk Only silk gear until she can make the magical stuff later. Sounds like I need weightless bags and no loot too. Penniless for sure!!

[Loiterius]

Yeah. Bags are a must. If you have a mage in group and you’ll be able to vendor before logging off you can ask them to summon 100% reduction bags for you to use