The Way of the Monk
By: Kiluminati, Monk of the Crystal Hand.

Discipline, study, and intense focus, the ways of the Monks of the Crystal Hand. Often viewed as "perfectionists" followers of the sect spend their entire life on a never-ending quest of perfection in all ways. Do not mistake that for arrogance though as they know perfection in its absolute form is not attainable by mere mortals. Monks study in the arts of philosophy, magic, and its use in war. Though more so the study of philosophy is primary. Monks are often known for long quests and periods of isolation, several are written in the pages of history to forever be remembered. They are honor bound and are of pure intentions. The most well known living Monk of today resides near the City of Dirge, Tiv, Guild Master of the Moon Mage guildhall above the volcano. Our lifestyle and our ways are passed down from mentor to apprentice, as it has been for generations. The life of a Monk is not a short one, and often not an easy one. Only the most disciplined of souls are worthy of the title.

Words of a nameless monk:
"Constantly on a quest for personal perfection in all ways and all things, the Monks of the Crystal Hand often go without many basic pleasures that most other Elanthians take for granted. Fasts, quests, and long periods of isolation are not uncommon for Moon Mages of this organization."
"Though our studies focus on the arts of magic and war, the Sophisters within these halls discuss and contemplate philosophy moreso than any other point of study. It is through seeking the eternal truths we shall find enlightenment."

The Monks of the Crystal Hand in Kssarh's words:
The Monks of the Crystal Hand said little, letting their deeds carry the message. A band of ascetic warriors from the far west, these meditative souls had honed their mysticism to a razor's edge, able to conceal their movements in a cloak of shadows at will and disarm a foe with a single thought. They pledged themselves to build the Guild as they did all things: with purity, honor, and deadly efficiency, all attuned with the orbit of the moons.

Well known followers of the Crystal Hand:

Fourth signatory of the Lunar Accord, Mizuhari of the Crystal Hand.
Member of the first Moon Mage Council, Mizuhari's final days were recorded in a cave atop the spire in Throne City. A young monk named Bashila had been on a long journey and heard the voice calling from a cave. They spoke about many things, including philosophy and Mizuhari's perfection of the Permanent Moonblade. He died from an unknown sickness, which was unable to be cured by any means, while on a quest to find an obscure cavern monastery described in writings.

Guildmaster Tiv
Tiv spent his childhood as a native son in a nomadic tribe of the northern steppes. As the tribe migrated westward, they made camp near the protective face of a sheer rock mountain. This was the Frostweyr Spire, long before it had been placed on any known maps. There is much more to this story to be studied. But in short, Tiv climbed the spire one day after repeatedly seeing a robed figure releasing a dove into raging blizzard. Atop the cliffs he saw a monastery of yellow basalt that rose into the sky. The robed man became his mentor and Tiv studied in the ways of the Crystal Hand until the mentor passed on and he became the leader of the monastery. After many years emissaries of the Moon Mage High Council came upon him to ask him to lead a chapter house far to the south, where the recent guild mistress had passed away. He left the monastery not for selfish reasons of power, but to lead the young apprentices that had been left unguided by the death of their guild mistress. Many times he has been asked to join the Moon Mage Council, and he always declines citing that his calling is to teach apprentices rather than "indulge in the luxury of politics". For further study I suggest you read Profiles in Magic, Volume Seventeen.

Sanyrsen Astoshe, notable member of the High Council.
Sanyrsen Astoshe Zsikiel was born two hundred and thirty-nine years before the Victory, into the proud and noble Zsikiel family of Ratha. Sanyrsen proved to be an exceptional soldier, born to lead. He joined with the Legion of Shorka under Lanival's command and was placed in charge of a small group of soldiers. His most notable victory, and that which placed him on the record books, was when he and his group successfully routed an invasion of the coast off of Leth Deriel. On a whim, the S'Kra lordling enrolled at Darkstone's Crystal Hand chapter house, and thus began his career as a Moon Mage. At the age of twenty-seven, Sanyrsen Astoshe was nominated by the Monks of the Crystal Hand for a seat on the High Council, and was accepted by a unanimous vote. He still holds the record as the youngest Council Member as of this writing. Sanyrsen is also the founder of the Gold Caps. Goldcaps were mages chosen to undergo intense training in the magic’s of invisibility, communication, and teleportation to serve as council messengers. To quote Sanyrsen, "They give us unity. In unity, we survive." For further study of Sanyrsen study the book Profiles in Magic, Volume Six