Monk

Monks are not normally found in Thule. There is no true monastic tradition among the temples of the Nine Powers, and philosophies of asceticism and se- clusion likewise have not yet developed in this ancient age. When Thuleans think of monks or monasteries, they think of strange cults and remote wilderness shrines dedicated to unnamed gods ... many of which are probably not wholesome objects of worship. There are a few perfectly acceptable wilderness temples—for example, the Three Pillars Monastery, near the town of Tiyerna—located in spots of special significance to one god or another, but even so the rugged terrain and hostile wilderness of Thule means that these structures are rare, indeed.

Just as monks and monasteries are uncommon in Thule, masters of unarmed combat are likewise few and far between. Some pit-fighters and gladiators spe- cialize in unarmed bouts, and are lethal in unarmed combat. Many of Thule’s warriors are exceptional brawlers or wrestlers, and achieve almost as much deadliness without formal training. But no one would mistake a two-fisted barbarian brawler for a disci- plined student of the martial arts.