You were raised in a temple, where worship of a deity was secondary to worship of the body and soul of a person. Taken in as a youngling, given over to the service of the temple by your parents (for whatever reason), you have been raised in the ways of your inner power and how you can apply it to life. You have spent years studying the lore and methods of your order, and now the monks you have known as teachers and parents have decided that you are ready to go out into the world. There, you must learn the ways of others, so that you can see how powerful, and necessary, your own teachings must become. Growing up in the temple, you were taught a skill that would be found useful while making your way into the world, and something that you can pursue to support the monks if choose to return to the temple. You also learned an instrument, for it is through music that you find your inner peace when storms are brewing all around you.
- Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, Medicine
- Tool Proficiencies: A musical instrument of your choice. A tool used in the trade you were trained in, to help you in your walk through the world, and for if you return to the temple.
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a leather journal, which you must record the bits of wisdom you discover in your journeys, a set of common clothes, a quarterstaff, and a pouch containing 10 gp
To determine the nature of your lore training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Agriculture |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Physical Education |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Blacksmith |
| 8 | Scribe |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Suggested Characteristics
Monks are defined by their wisdom, and how life might be explained in the simple examples that are found there. Devoted to gaining wisdom, a sage monk values life's lessons highly—sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students, my peers, my teachers, and the temple in which I grew up. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, a temple, or monastery. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s. |
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