Monastery
A monastary is more than just a religious building - it is a community of priests in the Marches, wielding subtle power in both the Imperial Synod and the day-to-day lives of the Marcher folk. The first monastaries were founded by pilgrims returning from Highguard, and formed the foundation for the Marcher Assembly.
Monasteries are usually surrounded by fertile farmland that is owned and worked by the monks. This ownership of land allows monastaries to function in much the same way as a Marcher Household.
A few monasteries are formed purely of scholars who take little part in warfare, but the majority include capable warriors who will don armour when battle is due. “You don't own it, unless you can defend it.” is a Marcher saying that applies even to monasteries, and the Abbots have just as much reason as any Household to want to protect what is theirs. Some monasteries extend the right of sanctuary to anyone who comes to them, and warriors are occasionally needed to ensure that right is respected.
Monks
Monks are the most common calling for Marcher priests. They divide their time between study of the Imperial Faith and working the farmlands claimed by the monastery. Monks minister to the spiritual welfare of the folk around their monastery, largely ignoring Household boundaries. They combine the teachings of the Imperial Faith with respect for Marcher tradition, and are generally adept at employing the custom of shunning to discourage un-virtuous behaviour. Where neccessary they may also try to encourage the use of the rough music against an individual who refuses to mend their unvirtous ways, although given the highly informal nature of that custom this can be quite a challenge,
Monks usually refer to one another with familial titles (cousin among monks of the same generation, uncle or aunt when talking to an older monk, nephew or niece when talking to a younger monk).
Both male and female monks wear plain garments, not unlike priestly robes in Highguard, though often simpler and less ostenatious (in stark contrast to the often quite overwrought garments of the Dawnish [{Troubadours]]).
Abbots
The leader of a monastery is called an Abbot. While the fact that a monastary generally owns and works land entitles them to a position in the Marcher political system, no Abbot has yet become Warden of a March – and to date few Households have pledged their loyalty to a monastery. Such a development is not outside the bounds of possibility, however.
Creating a Monastary
A monastary is a good choice for a religious group from the Marches. The costume is highly distinctive, and beside the obvious roles for priestly characters, the power wielded by Abbots can make them powerful participants in the politics of the Nation.
In addtiion to priests, a monastary is likely to have martially minded characters who serve as the defenders of the monastary, but unlike the Cataphracts of Highguard, these are likely to be armed and armoured monks who have more in common with the yeomen who fight for the Marcher Households.
When building a Monastary group, there are some difficult choices to make with personal resources. To have influence in the Marcher Assembly and the Imperial Synod, and access to the precious liao which is vital to some religious ceremonies, your group will need characters with religious personal resources. To have influence in the Marches, however, the monastary will need some characters to control personal resources in the form of farmland - which has the advantage that it will also provide money to the monks that own them. These two personal resources should be on your priority pick-list, perhaps with a small military unit or two as back-up.