The Monk

The many monks of the Realms have various goals and ideals they strive to achieve through rigorous training and mental discipline. There are many methods and doctrines, but they can be roughly divided into two: religion and mundane philosophy. Theistic monks contemplate and follow the doctrines of their patron deity, while philosophical monks base their training on some other school of thought – be it the traditional teachings of a respected master or a personal code of ethics. This division is somewhat artificial: even the most religious of monks apply techniques that aren't derived solely from holy texts, and the majority of philosophical monks do worship the gods and a specific patron deity, even if the divine isn't the source of their discipline.

Monks generally learn their art by joining a large, wide-spread monastic Order, by studying in a small monastery with its own, specialized discipline (either based on a respected authority figure's teachings, or connected to a faith), or directly from an individual master (or – more rarely - the writings of one). Yet other ways are possible, if not common. Occasionally, monks will develop new techniques and doctrines and found their own tradition.

Some churches accept monks as part of the formal clergy, alongside clerics and other priestly classes. Others consider monks lay worshipers, alongside fighters and other mundane riff-raff. This is never set in stone: through luck or personal prowess (and RP), anyone can ascend to a religious authority position.

While monks must be Lawful, they may worship any deity (or deities) as patron. The ”One-Step Rule” only applies to divine spellcasters (and even then, is not absolute). Not all deities are a likely choice for a monk, of course, and not all churches are fond of monks. The lack of a documented monastic order does not mean such an order doesn't exist: it might not be prominent enough to attract public notice. Furthermore, even if a given church clearly has no monastic order, individual monks may join the ranks of the clergy. What's more, there may be churches with no monks in their ranks and deities with no monk worshipers so far, but a monk follower of the faith would still be a possibility, unlikely or not. Monks do not have to be part of any order or church, documented or otherwise (even if they worship a patron deity).

Monks (on Amia) have no multiclass restrictions apart from those mechanically imposed by alignment. Those who voluntarily adhere to PnP rules on the matter are no closer to Amian canon, or ”better” monks.

The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!

I've always interpreted the Tongue of Sun and Moon as a mystical means of communication. It does not imply language proficiency. You certainly cannot read new languages, and it doesn't seem that you can understand conversations in foreign languages around you, nor do you have any theoretical knowledge of foreign languages, such as grammar and syntax. The phrasing of the feat description does not mention anything about learning a language or being able to eavesdrop. It ony implies verbal communication with a target.

What it does allow you to do is to communicate, face-to-face, with a person who doesn't speak your language. You don't suddenly understand the technicalities of the other party's language, you simply manifest your deep understanding of yourself, others and the entire universe as a supernatural awareness. You can understand and communicate meaning in an intimate connection.

A lot of that is just fluff and my way of giving it flavor, but the point remains: you don't learn languages, and communication doesn't involve eavesdropping etc.

Indeed. Agreed in full. I'm glad a DM said this finally.

Monks: Read it, learn it, love it and obey it. Pleeeeease...

The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!

The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!

It seem's people are under the assumption they can understand what is said back to them. Unless the person your talking to know's ToSaM, your current language, or has a spell like ToSaM, I don't see how a monk should understand what is said TO them.

Yes, they can speak to someone in the other language, but it's not EoSaM (Ear of Sun and Moon).

That's often the more debated part. Does talk to imply "two way communication"?

I say it does, or the ability is just silly.

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The purpose could be, as an example, to talk to other monks of varying regional locations and races, even breaching the planar scope. It could also allow you to speak with wizards of the same variety through their use of tongues and your use of ToSaM, along with a few other such things.

I imagine also speaking with beings beyond a normal mortals ability to communicate with would also be included. Say demons, devils and solars/deva.

Just a few examples of other useful scenerio's. It would certainly then limit the "I can understand everything!" complex that already accompanies a monks "I can resist everything!" complex.