The Gifted

Originally members of the Temple of Three Strengths, this order was created by Nuurxia, a former cleric of that faith. Nuurxia, known for his specific and exacting analysis of the Trinity, issued a decree (In Search of True Faith, 471 I.R.) in which he interpreted the temple's search for spiritual strength to mean psionic strength, equating the ki powers of the monk with psionic abilities. The argument was sound enough that several hundred clerical and monastic fellows of the temple followed Nuurxia when he was excommunicated for heresy.

Nuurxia led the Gifted until his death in 499 I.R.. His followers established at least a dozen temples throughout the young kingdoms and northern Kalamar. While two of these monasteries have been abandoned, the Brotherhood still operates monasteries of various sizes in the Reanaaria Bay region, across eastern Svimohzia and in Tarisato, with the order's leader residing at the original monastery just north of Geanavue.

The Gifted need not be clerics before they become monks. In fact, the Brotherhood has shown an excellent history of recruiting from among locals in their communities and is arguably the largest and most diverse monastic organization. They have a large contingent of gnome and halfling followers.

The Gifted show their talent by advancing as psions or psychic warriors after achieving a comfortable level as a monk. As psions, they advance as egoists, using psychometabolism to increase their physical capabilities or as seers, in search of greater knowledge and wisdom. In either class, they retain a monk's attitude and pursuit of self-perfection.

The Disciples of Avrynner have approached individual members of the Gifted with offers of consolidation (by which they meant incorporating the Gifted into the older group), but the Gifted have refused. They see psionic power as a means to the greater end of enlightenment and spiritual awakening. The Disciples view their power differently, as a force beyond true control, one that they seek to study for its own sake.

The monasteries of the Gifted are tall, elaborate structures that utilize the most advanced architecture possible. The odd-shaped rooms and buildings are said to harness the collective psychic energies of the region. The monasteries use unusual materials such as glass, crystal or steel, to enhance the effect (and the eerie image associated with the monasteries).

When they engage in combat, the Gifted seek to utilize their special abilities whenever possible. They constantly strive for insight into the supernatural elements of their skills. If they have time, they improve their martial skills with psionic enhancements. They are not as concerned with winning as they are with learning, so they accept defeat as long as the fight proves insightful.

The Gifted are almost entirely neutral in alignment with respect to good and evil, no doubt the influence of their founding by a cleric of the Powermaster. Eighty-five percent of the Gifted are lawful neutral, ten percent are lawful good and only five percent are lawful evil.