onasteries are places of learning and contemplation, where the deeply religious may go to escape the world. They are centers of charity and of strict obedience to God. They may also be powerful secular institutions, holding many lands and great power. Friars have few fixed communities; they wander the roads, surviving on charity and faith. A friar is not a part of the regular church hierarchy: even the local bishop cannot control where he goes. Their mission is to bring the Faith to the common folk.

The major orders of monks and friars include:

Patron	Name	Type	Characteristics
St. Gareth	Garethites (Silent Brothers)	Monks	Tiny, exclusive, strict. Rarely seen; white habits.
St. Andrew	Andrevites	Monks	Patrons of travellers. Rich, widespread.
St. Rhynn	Visitationines	Monks	Open, celebratory.
St. Ean	Eannites	All	Loose and unstructured. Little book learning.
St. Ildera	Ilderans	Nuns	Charity and good works. Also many monks.
St. Helm	Helminians (Blue Friars)	Friars	Emphasize simple joys and humility.
St. Isombras	Isombrates	Friars	Teaching, scholarship, educating the poor.
St. Cerdic	Gray Friars	Friars	Found in inns, seaports, ships.
St. Ceridwen	Llendisfrians (Poor Sisters)	Nuns	Charity only. Very simple and unaffected.