This page lists known orders of monks in the Forgotten Realms. Each entry includes the deity they hold as a patron (if any), alignment restrictions for the order, and the character classes open to monks of that order for the purpose of multiclassing freely. Some deities have more than one associate order of monks; these are listed sequentially.
Not all monks have to be associated with an order, but only those that are part of an order can multiclass freely. PCs are also free to invent monk orders, but non-canon monk orders provide no multiclassing benefits.
Alignment: Neutral or Good
Multiclassing: Fighter, rogue, paladin.
The halflings of Luiren turn their confidence into belief in the power of a single halfling to master herself and the world. Enterprising Luiren monks sometimes establish monasteries in the north. Although only halflings can study Hin Fist in Luiren, some Hin Fist monasteries outside Luiren accept exceptional gnomes and dwarves. Monks of the Hin Fist order can multiclass as fighters, rogues, or paladins (usually of Yondalla).
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Assassin, blackguard, fighter.
The Long Death order worships the principle of death without caring much which deity currently owns the portfolio. They are more than willing to share death and its antecedent, pain, with others. Clerics of the previous god of death, Myrkul, chose to view them as part of their god’s long-range plans. Kelemvor (the current god of the dead) views them as enemies, but is at least pleased that they do not actively promote undeath. Velsharoon (the god of necromancy and undeath) wants to woo them, but has not figured out how. This order is quite strong in Thay, though not with the sanction or cooperation of the Red Wizards.
Alignment: Usually Neutral, sometimes Good, rarely Evil.
Multiclassing: Rogue, sorcerer, shadowdancer (monk levels must be higher than total of all other class levels).
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 throughout Faerûn.
Alignment: Good or Neutral
Multiclassing: Any one other class (as long as monk is the highest class level).
The allegiance of this widespread but disorganized sect varies between groups, some following Lathander, others Selûne, and a few devoted to Sune. The Sun Soul order, along with the Old Order, is the most likely to have monasteries hidden in far flung wilderness areas.
Hin Fist
Alignment: Neutral or Good
Multiclassing: Fighter, rogue, paladin.
Shining Hand
Alignments: Neutral
Multiclassing: Wizard (if monk level exceeds wizard level).
The Shining Hand is one of the oldest monk orders of Amn, mixing faith in Azuth and the practice of wizardry with monastic devotions. Amn’s crackdown on the practice of wizardry has sent some Shining Hand groups underground and sent others out into the wider world.
Order of the Iron Gauntlet
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Assassin, fighter.
A small sect within the Zhentarim, these monks train in stealth and assassination. Currently they are few in number but their leader has been recruiting widely.
Hin Fist
Alignment: Neutral or good
Multiclassing: Fighter, rogue, paladin.
Zealots of the Written Word
Alignment: Good.
Multiclassing: Cleric.
These monks accompany clerics of Deneir on quests, assist in moneymaking efforts for the church, and are as fond of recording information as any devout worshiper of Deneir.
Disciples of the Changeless Face
Alignment: Neutral
Multiclassing: Fighter.
This stoic and spartan order is obsessed with preserving the knowledge of how things are (from laws to traditions to manners of speech) so that change can be detected and countered (which often involves beating into a pulp someone who disagrees).
Broken Ones
Alignment: Good.
Multiclassing: Clerics, divine champions.
Of all the popular deities of Faerûn, Ilmater is the deity most associated with an order of monks who act purely in his name. The Dalelands house no monasteries of great fame, but monks of Ilmater frequently travel through the Dales, sheltering in Ilmater’s temples if they cannot find other lodging.
**Yellow Rose **
Alignment: Good
Multiclassing: Ranger, shadowdancer.
Also known as the Disciples of Saint Sollars, this solitary monastery of Ilmater worshipers in the Earthspur Mountains of Damara is known for loyalty to its allies and destruction to its enemies. Greatly respected on matters of truth and diplomacy, the monks work hard to survive in their harsh remote sanctuary. The monks often travel with Ilmataran paladins, particularly from the Order of the Golden Cup.
**Disciples of the Phoenix **
Alignment: Good
Multiclassing: Cleric.
This order (and the other two orders of Kossuthan monks) is very insular and has a rigid tradition of study and fighting style, as well as behavioral taboos. They are the most likely to espouse the purifying and redeeming aspects of their deity’s element.
**Brothers and Sisters of the Pure Flame **
Alignment: Neutral
Multiclassing: Cleric.
These monks seek a balance between the purifying aspect and the destructive aspect of Kossuth’s flame, and are the mediators of the three orders. Most of them learn Ignan to better communicate with fire elementals.
**Disciples of the Salamander **
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Cleric.
Some of these monks rival a Talosian fanatic’s love of destructive fire, but most see it as a necessary tool for renewal in the world. Many of them bear brands of magical symbols on their bodies and decorate themselves with fiery tattoos.
**Sun Soul **
Alignment: Good or neutral
Multiclassing: Any one other class (as long as monk is the highest class level).
**Disciples of the White Rod **
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Cleric.
Monks of Loviatar prefer using their bare hands to inflict pain rather than using weapons. When forced to use weapons, they prefer nunchaku with white-bleached leather wrappings on the hilts.
**Runeclaws **
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Cleric.
Because in many orc tribes females are not allowed to touch weapons, unarmed combat has become a means for female worshipers of Luthic to defend themselves against raiders from other tribes. Some female orcs that are too old for childbirth (particularly older wives of the chief) become runeclaws to prove they are still useful to the tribe.
**Children of the Passive Voice **
Alignment: Neutral
Multiclassing: None.
These monks serve as guardians to libraries and abbeys, and sometimes are sent to find lost stores of knowledge.
**Sun Soul **
Alignment: Good or Neutral
Multiclassing: Any one other class (as long as monk is the highest class level).
**Dark Moon **
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Sorcerer (monk and sorcerer level must be within two levels of each other).
Shar is worshiped by a powerful sect of monks who maintain open temples in lands ruled by evil overlords or hide among hills, back alleys, or the Underdark. Most of the Dark Moon monks are human, but occasionally they are joined by a half-orc, shade, or drow.
**Hin Fist **
Alignment: Neutral or good
Multiclassing: Fighter, rogue, paladin.
**Sun Soul **
Alignment: Good or neutral.
Any one other class (as long as monk is the highest class level).
**Hin Fist **
Alignment: Neutral or good.
Multiclassing: Fighter, rogue, paladin.
**Long Death **
Alignment: Evil.
Multiclassing: Assassin, blackguard, fighter.
**Brotherhood of the Scarlet Scourge **
Alignment: Evil
Multiclassing: Cleric.
Monks of this strange orc order bleach their hands white and grow their nails very long. Before combat they dip their nails in a powder made of blood infected with the red ache which lets them infect their opponents.