Monks

Monks are people who are able to channel a magical energy called *ki*, a life force that flows through all living things, to create magical effects and enhance their bodies to perform superhuman feats.

## About

Monks also have mastery over martial arts, able to turn their bodies into dangerous and often lethal weapons. They typically reside in monasteries, which are small cloisters wherein monks improve their abilities through careful discipline and practice.

Monks are usually very cautious about passing their knowledge onto others. They understand that the ability to channel ki can lead to dangerous power, and freely gifting it can often have severe repercussions.

Most monks are peaceful, using their abilities as a way to seek enlightenment and physical perfection, or seek to further their knowledge and prevent it from being lost to time.

Most monasteries require a rigid, difficult training regime for new initiates, often including the sacrifice of something from their previous life in order to prove their dedication to the Way. In a similar vein, monasteries are often built in remote, hard-to-reach places, so that potential initiates can prove their mettle even before training begins.

Monks in monasteries typically live highly structured lives with rigid schedules, often giving up worldly things such as material possessions, companionship, or individuality in order to better pursue their Way with less distractions.

Monks who journey outside of their monastery for an extended time often do so in order to fulfill some sort of quest, such as stopping some evil, eliminating some threat to their monastery, or seeking further enlightenment, but the form that this takes can vary drastically depending on the Way a monk follows.

## Monastic Tradition

A monk's core set of beliefs and values is often called their Monastic Tradition, or "Way", as most traditions lay out a path or set of rules one must follow to achieve enlightenment.

There are twelve different monastic traditions in Somara, each having monasteries in a wide variety of places and monks from a wide variety of backgrounds.

* Way of the Astral Self
	+ Way of the Astral Self monks believe that their ability to channel ki is linked to an ability to see their true form, or an "astral self", which is a translucent embodiment of their psyche and soul. Astral Self monks learn to project this astral self into the world with them, and can use it's power in battle.
* Way of the Bloodied Fist
	+ Way of the Bloodied Fist monks learn to channel their ki through their own blood - and through that of their opponents. They practice a form of blood magic, which is highly illegal in most of Somara, meaning that most monasteries of this Way are in places far from the reaches of civilization.
* Way of the Cobalt Soul
	+ Way of the Cobalt Soul monks are austere scholars, driven by the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
* Way of the Drunken Master
	+ Way of the Drunken Master monks practice a unique form of martial arts that relies on jerky, unpredictable movements to confuse and frustrate their opponents.
* Way of the Four Elements
	+ Way of the Four Elements monks believe that ki is merely an extension of the energy that pervades the natural world, and can channel it to control the very elements of creation - air, water, fire, and earth.
* Way of the Kensei
	+ Way of the Kensei monks are masters of certain weapons, practicing to the point where the weapon becomes merely an extension of their body. They believe that their chosen weapon is a tool of art, much like a pen or brush.
* Way of the Long Death
	+ Way of the Long Death monks are obsessed with death, often putting themselves in near-death states to gain more familiarity with and understanding of it. As a side effect, they are incredibly successful at both inducing and evading death.
* Way of Mercy
	+ Way of Mercy monks learn to manipulate ki to bring about healing and aid to those in need. Those beyond their help, whether ailing or evil, are met with the mercy of quick death.
* Way of the Open Hand
	+ Way of the Open Hand monks are masters of martial arts, nearly unbeatable in combat, and able to enter meditative states that allow them to shrug off all but the most grievous of injuries.
* Way of Shadow
	+ Way of Shadow monks are able to become one with darkness, masters of stealth and subterfuge. They are often referred to as "ninjas" or "shadowdancers".
* Way of the Sun Soul
	+ Way of the Sun Soul monks channel their ki into searing bolts of light. They teach that meditation can allow one to tap into the light inside of ones' soul, and unleash it as blasts of destructive force.
* Way of Tranquility
	+ Monks of the Way of Tranquility view violence as a last resort, instead pursuing diplomacy, mercy, and understanding as a means of solving conflict, and can channel ki to reduce violent impulses in others.