Way of the Woven Leaf
There are many orders across the lands of Elohey, from the Rampart Order, Runelords, the Obsidian Blades, and more. However, it's the monks of the Way of the Woven Leaf that have mastered the mystic martial arts of Ki infusion.
Is ‘Ki’ the same as ‘magic’? Maybe… the debate continues over that. On one hand, there is an interesting parallel between what an alchemist mixes and what a Weaver ‘infuses’. On the other? They’re nothing alike. And in that lies the truth of this organization and its philosophy.
Members, or more accurately practitioners, of this Order are monks devoted to mastering the practices of Ki, how it interacts with the anatomy of the world, and the martial arts as it pertains to the mind and body.
Practitioners of this philosophy dedicate themselves to understanding Ki and its flow in life. How it moves and can inhabit objects in the world. They show this best through techniques involving infusion of Ki into food or tea. Likewise, they study methods of altering the flow of Ki to adjust the world around them through combat movements and exercises.
Their main temples are located high in the Songtree Mountains near the Sun Bear Forest. Yet, many of the Woven Leaf wander, seeking the knowledge that the world offers. Eventually, the practitioners settle down, leaving the Pathfinder life to establish their own Woven Leaf monastery.
To this day, temples of the Woven Leaf are found in many obscure or unexpected locations across the whole of Elohey.
Obscure is putting it mildly. I literally stumbled across one of their temples west of Plume Lake in the Undersewers of Jan Athel. One of the ruined ‘dead cities’. It was actually a pleasant stay.
A Way as Old as the Mountains
Origins of the monk order can be traced back to an incident that happened in the Kwohli Needle mountains. This is the mountain chain that bisects the Irase Maru province in the Empire of Jade.
One spring along the banks of Daungian River, Zhan Sepri had just settled for a mid-day meal next to a bridge. Before he could eat, the monk was confronted by one of the Fey, a rakshasa warrior looking to cross the bridge. The pair had a conversation in which Sepri convinced the rakshasa to not murder him. In the process, the monk convinced the Fey to join the monk in his travels.
There are 27 different versions of this story. All within one temple. When I asked their Domu, or great master, if my translation was accurate, he replied… “very good, you have found the fragrance in the steam”...
...
Then he gave me a cup of tea...
It was all a bit confusing.
The conversation, not the tea.
Bijat, a rakshasa, confronted Sepri, declaring that the young monk was in his way to cross the Daungian River.
Sepri faced Bijat to ask, “Which Way are you looking for?”
Irritated, Bijat gestured at Sepri with his sword.
“Mortal, you’re addled. This way! It’s the only way forward to reach the river!”
The monk shook his head.
“This is not the Way.”
Rattled, the rakshasa stammered a moment before he found a reply.
“Of course it is! What are you talking about? This is the only way forward I know of!”
“Wait,” Sepri replied.
The young monk set aside his belongings aside from two cups and a pot. Using river water, he prepared Zheian tea and set a cup in front of Bijat.
The rakshasa set down his sword with enlightenment.
As the legend goes, Bijat joined Sepri’s monastery for a generation before he returned to the Outland realm. Together the pair are considered influential teachers who provided the foundation of ‘Ki infusion’ or the ‘Root of the Woven Leaf’ to the order’s knowledge.
Branches of the Way
The Way of the Woven Leaf is both monk order and philosophy. Therefore, the structure, what they call the ‘Branches’, of the order both represent levels of leadership and milestones in learning.
Woven Leaf temples structure follow the same mindset. Architecture of these temples are not tall but wide.
Each temple has four, leaf-shaped, major branches that spiral out from a circular center. This center acts as a common room for meetings, study, martial training and other communal activities. Kitchens, libraries and other areas are part of the vine line hallways that spiral off the center.
Following the Path of the Woven Leaf
This Order accepts anyone willing to study their philosophy. There isn’t a single ‘entrance exam’. A new apprentice asks a Weaver to learn. It's up to the individual Weaver to determine in their own way if an applicant can withstand the rigors of study. Most Weavers will not turn away an interested student. They know that if the Way does not suit the apprentice, that will quickly make itself apparent.
So if during those studies, the Weaver feels the learner just cannot progress, they will stop teaching and encourage the learner to find an alternative path. In most cases, the Weaver will help the learner seek a new philosophy.
However, if the learner passes the tests set by the Weaver, then the learner graduates. The order considers the learner educated enough to choose the Weaver path that best suits them.
Make no mistake, while all ranks of this order are scholars, they are also skilled combatants. The 'warrior' branch of the order is the most accomplished in martial combat out of all of them.
Type
Guild, Professional
Alternative Names
Weavers
Ranks
The Way of the Woven Leaf has a fairly flat structure. Instead, it focuses on disciplines. Anyone who takes their first steps long the Way is considered a Kwishan, or Adept Learner. Once they have graduated, the Kwishan then chooses one of three paths. Eventually, with time, a practitioner becomes a Domu.
If I translated this right, what they told me was, "mix the leaves how you will, but all blends can become a Domu."
Unlike other orders, a monk of any of the following ranks may be out traveling with other Pathfinders. In fact, its encouraged to be able to gather experience and knowledge.
They call it 'mixing the brew'.
Game Mechanic Note Only characters that are a monk class may join this organization! Also, a monk character may attempt a single trial for a given rank once every year in game time.
A character that has the Kwishan rank has the following requirements and traits:
On achieving this requirement, the monk gains Linguistics and Craft: Cooking skills if they don't already have it.
Also, a monk character is able to call upon the ancient teachings of the Way to stir the ebb and flow of Ki around themselves and their opponent. Ki manifests as steam around the monk's hands, ready to be directed toward an ally.
So when a character successfully uses their Flurry of Blows against an attacker, a monk may spend one extra Ki point to perform one of the following for an ally within 30 feet:
A character that has the Gauyan rank has the following requirements and traits:
On achieving these requirements, the monk gains Heal, Craft: Cooking, and Knowledge: Religion skills if they don't already have it.
Also, a monk character is able to call upon the ancient teachings of the Way to stir the ebb and flow of Ki around themselves and their opponent. Ki manifests as steam around the monk's hands, ready to be directed toward an ally.
So when a character successfully uses their Flurry of Blows against an attacker, a monk may spend one extra Ki point to perform one of the following for an ally within 30 feet:
A character that has the Nakra rank has the following requirements and traits:
On achieving these requirements, the monk gains Craft: calligraphy, Craft: Brewing, Profession: Herbalism skills if they don't already have them.
Also, a monk of this discipline is able to alter the flow of Ki to imbue tea to soothe the body and mind. The tea will be a soft purple-blue tint and emit a slight warmth. If a monk spend 2 Ki points, they may infuse a cup or flask of tea with Ki for healing. The character that drinks this regains 1d8 hit points plus their Con modifier. This tea remains potent for 2 days + 1/2 the monk's level.
Alternatively, a monk of this discipline may infuse Ki into tea to produce a soft greenish-red hued tea. It will feel slightly warm with a cinnamon scent. If a monk spends 2 Ki points, they may infuse a cup or flask of tea with Ki to neutralize venom and toxins. The character that drinks this gains the result as if a Neutralize Poison was cast on them. This tea remains potent for 2 days + 1/2 the monk's level.
A character that has the Choian rank has the following requirements and traits:
On achieving these requirements, the monk gains Knowledge: History (war and tactics only) and Diplomacy skills if they don't already have them.
Also, a monk of this discipline is able to alter the flow of Ki to imbue tea to help someone in combat. The tea will be a dull red in color. If a monk spends 2 Ki points, this tea will grant +2 enhancement to a recipient's natural armor class. This does stack with other armor. Also one critical hit may be negated down to a normal hit from an attacker per combat.
Likewise, while in combat, a monk of this discipline may - as a full action - may channel the surrounding Ki into a flowing soft green mist. This mist envelops their allies granting them a temporary damage resistance against physical damage taken. The amount of damage resistance is equal to the number of Ki points a monk applies up to 1/2 their level. This may only be used once per day.
A character that has the Domu rank has the following requirements and traits:
On achieving these requirements, the monk gains Intimidate and Acrobatics skills if they don't already have them.
The enveloping mist as per the Choian rank increases to 3 times per day.
The Domu monk is able to brew an emerald tea with a rich spearmint scent. This will provide a 1d6 temporary hit point per Ki point spent. The monk may spend up to 1/2 their level in Ki points. This may be only used twice per day. This tea remains potent for 2 days + 1/2 the monk's level.
Comments
Author's Notes
This is rather large, so there is a good chance there are some grammatical errors. I've polished to the best that I can but more edits may be coming!
This was also inspired by several runs at "tea based" monk classes from several different game systems! Much respect to them!
It's also entirely possible that the author's love of exotic teas and a little too much "Iron Chef" might have been an influence on this article...