Diety - order name - Allowed alignments.mrdeadman wrote:I've been known to comment in the past how I believe that monks should belong to Orders and adhere to the multiclassing rules of said orders. But, I never gave any information that would help with this. Well, here it is.
In order to promote roleplay and address one issue I had concerning monks, I have spent some time diving into books and the internet doing some info gathering on Monk orders in the Realms. Below is a list of orders and some information on them.
- Background
- Multiclass options (edited for NWN2 PrC availability)
Akadi - The Light Winds (LN)
- This Order is only rumored to exist and the rumors extend to the order building a flying city somewhere in Faerun.
- May not Multiclass.
Anhur - Falcon Warriors (LG)
- Vigilant fighters for good, Falcon Warriors hold the distinction of being the only monk order to to worship a chaotic Diety. The order is highly structured and always ready for war.
- May multiclass as Divine Champion and or Fighter as long as monk level is higher than either one.
Auril - Cold Frost (LE)
- This group of monks is based in a monastery made completely from ice upon the Great Glacier. As far as anyone knows they are only concerned with testing their bodies endurance to cold and studying other creatures abilities to do so.
– May not multiclass.
Azuth – Shining Hand(LN)
- Seekers of all things magic, wise sages of lore, you can find them in charge of Azuthan libraries.
- May multiclass as Wizard as long as monk level exceeds wizard level.
Bane – Iron Gauntlet (LE)
- A small sect in the Zhentarim, these monks train in stealth and assassination. Very few members of this order exist.
- May multiclass as Assassin.
Brandobaris – Lucky Tricks (LN)
- This is a very new halfling order of monks. They usually keep to themselves in big cities or sometimes join a lucky group of adventurers.
- May take only 1 Cleric level and must choose Luck domain.
Callarduran Smoothhands – Deep Stone (LN)
- A very loosely organized group of deep gnome monks. They mainly train in stealth and trickery to lead the drow away from their homes.
- May multiclass as Illusionist.
Chauntea – Gardeners of Life (LG)
- These monks have the largest and most well tended gardens in all of Faerun. Many grow produce that townspeople cannot find anywhere else. They often sell their goods at very low prices to promote Chauntea's generosity.
- Cannot multiclass. Added because it is funny: Can use fruits and vegetables as weapons. Most common are carrots (treat as Kamas), and tomatoes (treat as Shurikens). These weapons can only do lethal damage to evil beings or those who somehow hurt the earth. Fruit and vegetable weapons obtain the Ki Strike ability as the monk levels.
Clangeddin Silverbeard – Silver Monks (LG)
- This is a wholly dwarven order of monks. Many believe that their bodies are perfect weapons and eschew weapons altogether.
- May multiclass as Divine Champion, and or Dwarven Defender without restrictions.
Deneir - Zealots of the Written Word (LG)
-These monks spend their time recording information, developing their theses on various forms of unarmed combat, earning money for their church (usually by making books, paper, and ink, or working as scribes), and even accompanying clerics of the faith on quests. When traveling, a Zealot normally carries a small book or bundle of scrolls showing the next martial arts form she intends to master, all of which have complex and flowery names.
- May multiclass as cleric.
Eldath – Pools of Peace(LG)
- These monks usually live a very basic life. They tend to make their homes near waterfalls of pools of water and spend their time contemplating life and enjoying the contemplation itself.
- May not multiclass.
Gaerdal Ironhand – Protectors of the Golden Hill (LG)
- Unlike most followers of Gaerdal these monks enjoy some trickery. Though they try to be very sly about it and keep straight faces, knowing they won't be suspected. They have fierce loyalty to their god and to their home protecting it at all cost.
- May multiclass as Divine Champion.
Grumbar – Disciples of the Changeless Face (LN)
- Monks of this order usually build their monasteries inside mountains. They usually preach against change and try to stop things from changing. Many become miners.
- May multiclass as Fighter.
Gond – Monkanicle (LN)
- This order not only keeps records of all new inventions but designs and builds mechanical marvels of their own as well.
- May not multiclass. Can use Monk levels as caster level to create mechanical items. For example taking the Craft Wondrous Item feat you can craft wondrous mechanical items. (Don't know if this is doable but is neat.)
Helm - Everwatchers (LG, LN)
- This is a small order of monks and rangers whose main purpose is scouting. There is at least one of this order in every contingent of the Companions of the One True Vision.
- Able to multiclass as Ranger. Neither class level can be more than 2 levels behind the other. Must choose followers of an evil god as Favored Enemies.
Ilmater – The Broken Ones (LG)
- Of all the popular deities of Faerun, Ilmater is the deity most associated with an order of monks who act purely in his name. These kind and enduring monks are focused on defending the faithful and temples of the Broken God while acting as agents of punishment against those who would cruelly harm others.
- May multiclass as Divine Champion and cleric.
- Disciples of St. Sollars (Monks of the Yellow Rose) (LG)
- Greatly respected on matters of truth and diplomacy, the monks work hard to survive in their harsh remote sanctuary.
- May multiclass as Ranger or shadowdancer.
Jergal – Short Death (LN)
- These monks study the nature of death, and are particularly interested by the moment of trespassing. They don't bother
about the afterlife or nature of the soul. The ceremony of introduction is filled with hideous acts meant to test the resolve of initiates.
- May not multiclass.
Kelemvor - Peace Bringers (LN)
- This order is somewhat similar to the Long Death but they share Kelemvor's views on death. They keep records of the dead and fight the undead.
- Can multiclass as Doomguide and or Ranger but can take no mare than 4 levels of Ranger and Monk level must always be higher than level of either. Must take Undead as favored enemy. Due to strictures of their faith they may not use Quivering Palm against living creatures and cannot use any weapons other than unarmed strike.
Kossuth – Everflame (LN, LE)
- This is a very new order of monks. They are opposite of most monks of other orders burning books and records instead of keeping and organizing them. They are considered pyromaniacs and wear robes that look like flames.
- May not multiclass.
- Disciples of the Pheonix (LG)
- A very insular order that has a very rigid tradition of study and fighting styles. They espouse the purifying and redeeming aspects of thier god's element.
- May multiclass as Cleric.
- Brothers and Sisters of the Pure Flame (LN)
- These monks seek a balance between the purifying and destructive natures of Kossuths flame.
- May multiclass to Cleric without restriction.
- Disciples of the Salamander (LE)
-A fanatical love of destructive fire seen as a nessisary tool for the renewal of the world is the driving force of this order.
- May multiclass as Cleric.
Lathander - Sun Soul (LG, LN)
-Monks of the Sun Soul Order believe that they each harbor a small fragment of the sun's divine essence, long absent from the Realms. Staunch opponents of darkness, evil, and chaos, the Sun Soul monks serve as crusaders against churches of evil deities, defenders of the common folk, and protectors of sites sacred to deities of light and good.
- May multiclass as any one other class but monk level must always be higher. Sun Soul monks may also worship Selune and
Sune.
Loviatar – Disciples of the White Rod (LE)
- Monks of this order immerse themselves in the study of pain on themselves and on others. They prefer to use thier hands to inflict pain rather than weapons.
- May multiclass to cleric.
Mask - Order of Shadows (LE)
- These monks are excellent at sneaking as well as making business deals. There are not many in this order and they are very reluctant to train new recruits especially those that hold a very high place in other guild ranks.
- Can multiclass as Rogue and/or Shadowdancer. Monk level must be 2 higher than the other or both combined.
Mielikki - Thoughts of the Forest (LG, LN)
- Another branch of forest followers. Most of these monks are hermits living alone deep in the forests. They study the forests and the animals within and will protect them when needed. Some of the oldest of this group are allowed within the druidic circles.
- May multiclass as druid. Must keep class levels within 1 level of each other. May not use any other weapons besides unarmed strike and natural weapons.
Mystra – Weave Tenders (LG)
- Small monasteries of these monks can be found on the outskirts of wild or dead magic zones where they tirelessly study, pray, and ponder how to fix the weave in these places. A few take to adventuring feeling that they will find the answer somewhere else.
- May multiclass as Sorcerer as long as Monk level is higher than sorcerer level.
Oghma - Wrestlers of Knowledge (LN)
- A very specific odrer within Candlekeep these monks couple their love of lore with love of wrestling. They keep the library in order and up-to-date and have wresting matches to decide who gets the best jobs. Sometimes as a prank on newcomers they challenge them to a match before they let them peruse lore within the library.
- May multiclass as Cleric as long as Monk level is at least 2 levels higher. Must take Knowledge and Strength cleric domains.
- Children of the Passive Voice (LN)
- These monks serve as the guardians to libraries and abbeys and sometimes are sent to recover lost bits of lore and stores of knowledge.
- May not multiclass.
Red Knight – Pawns (LG, LN, LE)
- These monks fancy themselves as pawns in the Red Knights Lanceboard of life. They know pawns are important and always get to make the first move. They enjoy strategy of politics, games, and of course fighting as well.
- May multiclass as Divine Champion and or Fighter as long as monk level is equal or higher than those combined.
Shar - Dark Moon (LE)
-These monks come from among the faithful of Shar, though no ordained clergy can train in the order. These fanatics not only work for the church, they also police Shar's clergy and other followers.
- May multiclass as sorcerer as long as the monk level is higher.
-Darkness (LE)
- This is a very small offshoot of Shars Dark Moon monks. There is little difference except she shares different secrets with them and encourages a rivalry competitive view between the two orders.
- May multiclass as Sorcerer or Shadowdancer as long as monk levels are equal to or one level above the class.
Silvanus – Balanced Oak (LN)
- These monks live in the woods and wilds living almost as animals themselves. Their main goal is to keep the Balance of nature. They almost always make their home near an oak tree.
- May not multiclass.
Torm – True Fury (LG)
- This is a contingent or fighting monks and paladins. They oppose every evil gods worshipers and try to thwart their plans at every opportunity.
- May multiclass as Paladin without restriction, and or Divine Champion as long as monk level is higher than Divine Champion level.
Tyr – Even Handed Order (LG)
- Monks of this order are usually found keeping records for city authorities. Some even serve as police or judges. A very few go on quests to avenge wrong doings.
- May multiclass as Paladin as long as monk level is equal or higher than Paladin level.
Velsharoon – Undead Monks (LE)
- This is a very secretive order of monks not much is known about them and they do not seem to have much in common besides worshiping Velsharoon.
- May multiclass as Wizard (Necromancy focus) and Pale Master.
Waukeen – Merchant Monk Guild (LN)
- This order is much more like a guild. They have huge richly designed monasteries that also double as warehouses and shop fronts. Many of the monks make their own good but a lot just make money from buying cheap and selling at a higher price. They are becoming more popular in big cities. Many favor the nunchaku weapon and carry very artistically crafted and magically enhanced versions.
- May not multiclass.
Yurtrus – The Rotting Ones (LE)
- A very evil group of monks they spread disease and decay wherever they go. This group started with Orcs, and Half-Orcs but has spread like a disease to many other races.
- May multiclass as Assassin as long as monk level is higher.
Some Monk Orders are covered by more than one deity or none at all:
The Hin Fist - Yondalla, Arvoreen, Sheela Peryroyl (LG, LN)
-This monk order was founded in Luiren by halflings given divine inspiration by their pantheon of deities. Though members
are not required to be good (neutral monks are allowed), all members see themselves as defenders of all hin, and travel Faerun to right wrongs against the hin, and (they hope) test their skills against other martial artists. Halfling only, with very rare dwarf and gnome exceptions.
- May multiclass as Fighter, Rogue, and Paladin.
The Long Death - Jergal, Myrkul, Velsharoon, or none. (LN, LE)
-Scattered across Faerun, the Monks of the Long Death are members of a macabre, secretive order of scholars seeking to understand the true nature of death. They do not care about the soul or the afterlife - only about the actual process of death, specifically its effects on living tissue. The Long Death order worships the principle of death without caring much which deity currently owns the portfolio.
- May multiclass as Fighter, assassin, and blackguard.
The Old Order - No associated diety (LN)
-Monks of the Old Order do not worship any deity, but are devoted to the philosophy espoused by a deity who is either now dead or has never existed on the material plane of Toril. The monks contradict themselves on this point, but the deity's identity isn't important to them, it's the message they care about. The Old Order never has huge monasteries, but has spread widely through Faerun.
-May multiclass as rogue, sorcerer, and shadowdancer as long as monk level is greater than all others combined.
I hope this is as helpful as it is long (sorry).
~Thanks to mrdeadman for posting this.~