This document attempts to rationalise, and update, the abilities of Oriental Monk class described in the Oriental Adventures source book, and should be read in conjunction with those rules.

The descriptions of the level related psionic skills, later in this document, will also work for the Monk class described in the AD&D 1^st edition Players Hand Book. Except this version include another ability, "Quivering Palm", that is not rationalised in this document, but which is described in great detail in the PHB.

The Monk believes in personal perfection and in an attempt to achieve this practice mental and physical disciplines.

Monks develop their body to unusual, and almost unnatural limits in their quest for perfection. They develop many of the skills that depend on speed, agility and subtlety but tend to eschew brute strength. They therefore learn to move quietly and discreetly, develop their hearing and learn to climb and to run quickly. As a physical discipline they also learn a martial art, which helps to tone and develop their bodies. This martial arts training and awareness gives them a lower armour than most people and the abilities to defend themselves physically without needing to resort to weapons. Monks also train their reflexes by attempting to dodge and deflect missiles aimed directly at them - a skill that can aid them greatly in later life.

Monks believe that to achieve perfection the need to maintain the proper level of harmony between the mind and the body, and develop their own internal Yin/Yang relationships The combination of mental agility and physical dexterity that is required to find and remove traps or to work with and understand locks seem to work well in maintaining this harmony and is practised by most Monk. Another aspect of this harmony of physical and psychological, is the monks understanding of the body and the way it functions, in combat this shows itself as Monks do extra damage according to their levels when attacking with weapons.

Monks also gain traditional oriental advantages of mental discipline and develop their Ki. In the case of Monks their physical and mental harmony and control give them a limited resistance to some magical damage. This ability may be used once per day, per level of the Monk. The Monk calls on his Ki as he makes the saving throw, and if the saving throw is successful takes no damage, or sufferers no ill effect, from the attack. At 9^th level the Ki power improves and the monk automatically only takes half damage from any magical attack when the Ki is used. If the save is magde the Monk suffers no dammage or ill effect as before.

All monks are required to study calligraphy, so they are able to read the learned works that will assist with their development, and religion so that they properly Kami and can develop an internal harmony that is in balance with the universe.

Monks study a number of purely mental disciplines and at higher levels become fully functioning psionicists, albeit with a limited ability set. These abilities are described, individually, in the paragraphs that follow.

Speak with Animals - by concentrating the monk can simulate the "Speak with Animals" spell. The monk must look directly at the animal and may make appropriate animal noises but the process is actually closer to a two way version of the psionic devotion ESP, that only works with natural animals. The animal will not attack the monk during this communication. The monk can sustain this level of concentration for 2 rounds per level per day starting at 3rd level. (Mental Training)

Level	Speak with Animals	Save vs ESP	Heal on Self	Speak with Plants	Resist Charm
	Rounds		d4+	Rounds
3	2
4	4	70%
5	6	72%
6	8	74%
7	10	76%	1
8	12	78%	2	1
9	14	80%	3	2	50%
10	16	82%	4	3	55%
11	18	84%	5	4	60%
12	20	86%	6	5	65%
13	22	88%	7	6	70%
14	24	90%	8	7	75%
15	26	92%	9	8	80%
16	28	94%	10	9	85%
17	30	96%	11	10	90%

Falling Without Taking Damage - the monk has trained himself to use vertical surfaces to slow his fall. At 4th level he can fall 20 feet if within 1 ft of a surface by 6th level this has improved to 301 if within 4’ of a wall. (Physical Training)

Save Vs ESP - The monks mental discipline and awareness makes him much less susceptible to this ability. This protection increases by 2% per level. This appears to be a limit use of the psionic devotion Mind Bar. (Mental Training)

Immunity to Haste and Slow Spells - The monks mental discipline and awareness makes him immune to these spells. This would appear to be a psionic skill related to the Stasis Field devotion. (Mental Training)

Immune to Diseases - the monks physical well being and mind over body techniques make him immune to all diseases. It would appear that the Monk uses a personalised and limited form of the psionic devotion Cell Adjustment to cure diseases as they are contracted. (Mental Training)

Cateleptic State - mental and physical discipline allow the monk to reduce all activity to an absolute minimum for 2xLevel turns. During this period the monk appears to be dead, the ability appears to be related to the psionic devotion Suspend Animation. (Mental Training)

Heal on Self - The monk uses a psionic technique, similar to "Cell Adjustment", to heal physical damage on his own body. The monk can heal d4 plus 1 point per level starting at 5th level. (Mental Training)

Speak with Plants - A psionic ability related to the "Speak with Animals" ability described earlier. The monk can only communicate with natural plants, and can sustain this level of concentration for 1.5 rounds per level per day starting at 8th level.

Resist Charm, Hypnosis and Suggestion spells - Development of the Monks Save vs ESP ability, gives a save against Charm and Suggestion related spells. Again this is believed to be related to the psionic devotion Mind Bar, and gives 50% resistance which increases by 5% per level of the Monk.. (Mental Training)

Psionic Defences - at 10^th level the Monks becomes more aware of his mental conditioning and develops the "Closed Mind" on the true Psionic. He can no longer be affected by the psionic devotion Contact, unless he chooses to allow the contact. He is, however, now susceptible to psionic attack as a true psionic, and develops the psionic defence mode Mind Blank. (Mental Training)

Poison Immunity - at 11^th level the Monk gains immunity to poisons, this is believed to be an extension of the Cell Adjustment devotion but might be related to the Molecular Manipulation devotion. (Mental Training)

Immune to Geas and Quest spells - Further development of their Mind Bar related skills provide the Monk with complete immunity to Geas and Quest spells from 12^th level. (Mental Training)

There are rumours that there are monk levels after 17^th, and that monks who reach 18^th level have achieved such a state of internal harmony achieve the same sort of status as Heirophant Druids - but, if this is true, these secrets are only known to monks of the highest levels.