Order of the Yellow Rose
Also known as the Disciples of Saint Sollars the Twice-Martyred, the Order of the Yellow Rose is a solitary monastery of Ilmater worshipers in the Earthspur Mountains of Damara. It 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 remote sanctuary. The monks of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose use the remorhaz to test their disciples. Young monks must prove the power of their mind to overcome fear and pain by riding the beasts.
The faith of Ilmater fosters far more orders of monks that other gods. Other Ilmatari monastic orders include the Followers of the Unhindered Path, the Disciples of St. Morgan the Taciturn, and the Sisters of St. Jasper of the Rocks.
Monks of Ilmater often travel as wanderers, begging for alms, seeking enlightenment, and relieving the suffering of others. They tend to follow the Way of the Open Hand, as described in the Monastic Tradition class feature in the Player's Handbook.
Disciples of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred
The Disciples of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred, also known as the Order of the Yellow Rose or the Monks of the Yellow Rose, was a monastic order devoted to St. Sollars and Ilmater, The One Who Endures. They were noted for the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, located high in the Earthspur Mountains near to the Glacier of the White Worm.Divine Origins
The Disciples of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred crossed over the Great Glacier, over the lands that would later be known as Damara and Vaasa, whilst both realms still lay beneath the ice. A fanatical order, they sought the most imposing, harsh, and dangerous place at which to build their temple, and found it in the highest peaks of the Earthspurs. In the Year of the Yellow Rose, 1242 DR, they founded the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, also known as the Citadel of the White Worm.
In the Year of the Serpent, 1359 DR, Grand Master Poke died suddenly. This necessitated that Kane, a Master of Spring and next-in-line for the position of Grand Master, hurry back to the monastery and manage affairs until a new Grand Master could be trained and selected. However, Kane declined to hold the position for any length of time. After Kane, the next in line was a man named Temmenische, who was 95 years old, so he was hardly a practical choice. Although Cantoule was not in line for the position of Grand Master of Flowers, was not an obvious choice, and aged about 40 was considered rather too young, Kane and Temmenische decided he would be the most suitable successor. Thus, Cantoule was pressed into the position of Grand Master of Flowers, and Kane and Temmenische put Cantoule through accelerated training in advanced techniques to prepare him for the post. As Grand Master, Cantoule continued his lessons while managing the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, a task for which he appeared quite capable. Since he took over in 1359 DR, the monastery enjoyed peaceful times and affairs proceeded smoothly with well-worn tradition.
However, Cantoule first had to decide which of the would-be kings of Damara the monastery should throw its support behind. Cantoule appeared to favor the heroic Gareth Dragonsbane, an adventuring companion of Kane. This would greatly strengthen Gareth's case. Thus Gareth invited Grand Master Cantoule to visit him in Bloodstone Village. The Monastery also sent a number of its monks to Gareth Dragonsbane, lord of Damara, so that they could serve as his emissaries to the Lords of Imphras II of Impiltur. This was thanks to the esteem the Lords had for the Yellow Rose, and Gareth's close relationship with the Monastery via his companion Kane.
Tenets of Faith
As followers of Ilmater, the Disciples of St. Sollars were ascetics and favored the simpler things, but were devoted to creating beauty in hardship. The monks did not attempt to force their ways or beliefs on others. Instead, they went about their business confident in their faith. The Disciples of St. Sollars were known as loyal allies and as dangerous enemies. They were highly respected on issues of truth and diplomacy and for their inner strength.
Dwelling on the Glacier of the White Worm, the monks shared their home with a terrible beast: the remorhaz or white worm. This was a massive, insectoid creature, some 20 feet long, aggressive and predatory, that could tunnel through ice and earth and generated extreme heat from its body. However, the monks lived in harmony with the white worms, not in conflict, and believed it symbolized the courage and determination of their order. Thus they perfected the art of riding the remorhaz.
Priesthood
Joining
Although orphaned children were sometimes left at the gates of monasteries, the Monastery of the Yellow Rose was far too remote and difficult to reach. Instead, every few years, the monks went out into the neighboring lands of Damara and Vaasa and chose a young orphan to join them. They tried to teach the child how to be a good person in a harsh world. Some of these orphans might stay on with the order.Sub-Orders
The monks were divided into three lesser orders, each with a different focus to their work and religious practices, but equally important both in theory and in practice.Order of the Chisel
The Order of the Chisel focused on working on sculptures, weaving tapestries, and making blueberry wine, crafts that made the monastery famous. The monks of this order were also involved in cooking, housekeeping, and a bit of trade. They were hard workers but few of the members were good martial artists.Order of the Rose
The Order of the Rose were the most devoted to fighting evil. These monks trained as ascetics, priests, warriors, and adventurers. Their main duty was to protect the monastery, both in the physical world and in the spiritual world. They were usually brave, grim, and outspoken. These monks usually traveled Toril to gather lore and to perform good deeds and they were the best martial artists and spellcasters.Order of the Scroll
The Order of the Scroll concentrated on managing the monastery's extensive libraries, also helping guests to search for books. These monks were the most socially awkward, preferring books to people. Few of them became martial artists or spellcasters.Resources
Brothers of the Yellow Rose have food and lodging at the Monastery of the Yellow Rose. They are so well-respected in the Bloodstone Lands and Impiltur, that they may request hospitality for themselves anywhere they travel. Even the various barbarian tribes of Narfell and Vaasa will abstain from attacking a party which includes a Brother of the Yellow Rose, though they may not offer any aid or hospitality, depending on their views of "outlanders".Watchers
The Watchers are a branch of the Order who patrol the Earthspur Mountains south of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, dwelling in the wild and learning to survive and endure. Their goal was to understand the ways of the harsh land around them. They usually left the Monastery for three to six months at a time, in any season, from the brief few weeks of high summer to the height of winter, when the snows were at their deepest. They were always on the move, never spending more than one night in the one place. The Watchers were always alone, their only contact with animals. Some even shared a den with a bear or ran with a pack of wolves. Many of them acquired and were accompanied by friendly animals, and could employ a speak with animals power to converse with them and gain knowledge and insight. The purpose of this phase of their training was to develop a symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Although alone, they closely watched all other travelers in the mountains, particularly strangers and adventuring bands. Everyone who spent a few days or more journeying in the Earthspurs had surely been discreetly monitored by the Watchers at some point. However, they almost never contacted anyone face-to-face. An impressive 99% of Watchers returned to the Monastery without harm, which was proof of their discipline and training.Rituals
A monk who wished to challenge for the rank of Master of Dragons first had to undergo an initiation that involved an extraordinarily difficult test of skill and courage—to ride the remorhaz. This was on the one hand a test of their discipline but on the other a declaration of their devotion to St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred, a demonstration of their inner strength, courage, and determination needed to subdue the beast and ride mere inches away from death or terrible injury. A monk who would attempt to ride a remorhaz was equipped with a simple lasso and a pair of magical leather-and-iron spurs of special design. They stood upon a certain rocky outcrop and waited for the white worm to slither past, at which point they tried to lasso it. If the monk missed with the lasso, then they could wait for another remorhaz to roll pass, but missing three times was marked as a failure. They could try again after one week, but those going for Master of Dragons had to wait and train until they felt up to the challenge again. No one could help them in this. Once the lasso was in place, the monk then leapt onto its back and tried to firmly plant their spurs in its shell. Both spurs was ideal; one spur would do, but was dangerously unstable. A monk who missed planting their spurs or was unable to ride risked touching the bare superheated back of the angry remorhaz and suffering searing burns, even death. A monk who could do all this had to remain standing on the back of the white worm and ride it for a distance of no less than 100 yards. Whether successful or not, after an attempt, other monks were free to help their fellow in escaping the remorhaz. Despite the danger of terrible injury or death, no monk who qualified ever refused to try. In fact, even those who didn't qualify would give it a go, and most monks at the Monastery tried it at least once in their lives. Still, many monks came to their end of their lives while trying to become a Master of Dragons. The youngest ever to ride the remorhaz was Afrafa, aged only 15 and a low-ranking monk, around 1349 DR.Activities
The Monks of the Yellow Rose dedicated themselves to venerating the Suffering God, Ilmater. This seemed to be primarily through the hard work necessary to survive in the harsh environment of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, and here they thrived. The monks toiled for at least sixteen hours a day, without fail. Initiates and low-ranking monks were most responsible for the basic necessities of life in the high mountains. They worked in the small gardens, they cut and hauled blocks of ice that would be melted for water, and they foraged in the desolate mountains for supplies. The monks also brewed wine from blueberries they collected. Their efforts gave their superiors the time and capacity to focus on less vital but more spiritual work. Those with the skill focused on crafting sculptures and tapestries. At the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, they preserved Ilmatari art, architecture, and handiworks in a grand museum that was a tribute to their faith and discipline. Once a year, the mid-ranking monks led expeditions out of the mountains and into the cities of the Bloodstone Lands: Damara, Vaasa, Impiltur, and Narfell. There they gathered and recorded local news, familiarized themselves with travelers passing through and with newcomers settling in the area, and listed births and deaths. Back at the Monastery, they maintained vast archives about the Bloodstone Lands, the most complete anywhere in the Realms. These included genealogies, and some monks specialized in genealogical studies. As a result, they were used to dealing with delicate matters of heritage among the nobility. They sometimes served as emissaries within the Bloodstone Lands. One other task the monks had was to construct and maintain the Watcher's Mounds that lay throughout the Earthspur Mountains south of the Monastery. Well over a hundred of these campsites were situated along the trails running down from the monastery. Not only mounds, they were defensible campsites with shelter where a traveler, a ranger, or a Watcher might spend a night in safety. Each site also contained a hidden cache of preserved food, water, and tools. The monks and local rangers restocked these caches, and took note of when they were wantonly looted and who was responsible, as well as who was considerate enough to leave spare supplies behind.Granted Divine Powers
Renown
Brothers of the Yellow Rose gain renown in many ways. Three sub-orders exist in the Monastery. Brothers who choose the Order of the Chisel are responsible for the upkeep of the Monastery and focus on gathering supplies, sculpting, waving, making wines, etc. and it is through these activities that they gain renown. Brothers who choose the Order of the Rose devote themselves to fighting evil. They gain renown by protecting the Monastery and its brothers from threats both physical and spiritual. They rout out corruption in the ranks and travel the lands defending the common man. A Disciple of the Rose would gain no renown in the court of a great king, but gains renown fighting off a kobold raid in an unnamed village. Brothers who choose the Order of the Scroll concentrate on managing the Monastery's extensive libraries and genealogies. They gain renown by searching for, gathering and preserving lore.Brother of the Yellow Rose (1 Renown)
A Brother of the Yellow Rose is new on the Path of St. Sollars, but is able to call upon the resources of the Order. Many are orphans entrusted to the Brothers in their travels. They are expected to cook, clean and follow the orders of the Disciples and attend lessons at the Monastery.Disciple of the Yellow Rose (3 Renown)
When a Brother is ready, he becomes a Disciple. A Disciple must choose an Order (Chisel, Rose or Scroll) for his vocation. Disciples of the Chisel adds two Secondary Skills (tool proficiencies) to their list of trained skills. A Disciple of the Rose adds either Survival or Stealth to their list of trained skills, while a Disciple of the Scroll may add one Intelligence skill to their list of trained skills. In addition, Brothers of the Yellow Rose spend vast amounts of time on the genealogies of the Bloodstone Lands. Any History check made that focuses on noble lines, heraldry and genealogies of the nobles of Damara or Impiltur is made with Expertise (doubling the History proficiency bonus).Watcher (10 Renown)
When a Disciple becomes a Watcher, they are expected to leave the safety of the Monastery (though Disciples of the Rose often leave before this) and travel the lands. Watchers are the eyes and ears of the Monastery, their duty is to gather information, as well as aid and protect the common folk. Watchers of the Chisel often travel from settlement to settlement helping construct walls, gather stores for the winter months, and generally offer their services to the villagers. Watchers of the Rose travel the Watcher Mounds, warning communities of marauding humanoids and other evils, and helping defend against the same. Watchers of the Scroll can generally be found in communities, gathering books and tomes, as well as journaling current events, births, deaths, etc. Though Watchers of the Scroll are also searching for evil, the way they go about it differs greatly from Rose Watchers. After their training in the Monastery, all Watchers are resistant to cold temperatures (although not cold magic). Watchers have been seen slogging through a blizzard in mid-winter wearing only their robes. Watchers also gain advantage on Acrobatics checks when outdoors, and gain the Acrobatics skill if not already trained. Watchers also have a mystical ability to speak with animals once per day as the spell.Master of the White Worm (25 Renown)
To become a Master of the White Worm, a Watcher must not only gain the appropriate standing (renown) in the Order, but they must successfully Ride the Remorhaz. Many Watchers do not survive the ordeal. Master's of the White Worm find that their resistance to cold temperatures matures into full resistance to cold, even cold magics. They can also move at normal speed over ice and snow. The ritual of riding the remorhaz also imparts a resistance to fire. In addition, no remorhaz will attack a Master of their own volition. Even remorhaz under the control of an enemy will consider attacking the Master "against their nature", causing many a surprise as the monstrosity turns on its controller.Master of the Yellow Rose (50+ Renown)
The Master of the Yellow Rose is considered one of the leaders of the Monastery and reports only to the Grandmaster of the Yellow Rose (who leads the Monastery). When the Grandmaster steps down or passes, the Masters of the Yellow Rose select one of their own to become Grandmaster. In the case of two Masters with equal backing, the selection is made in a trial by combat. Each Master wields the executive powers of the Monastery with the approval of the Grandmaster of the Yellow Rose.
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Alternative Names
Disciples of Saint Sollars
Leader
Deities
Location
Controlled Territories
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