In a rush of random inspiration I wanted to create a monk archetype that threw out much of the eastern, or shaolin elements. Gone is Slow Fall, unarmed strike and increased base speed. Even gone is the Ki Pool.
The Monastic Monk is a scholar and a master of simple weapons. These monks follow the same alignment restrictions as Clerics and they gain divine power which they use internally rather than casting spells.
What I have so far theoretically works decently well for levels 1-10, but since the class lacks some of those later ki abilities there are alot of blank levels up there.
I also feel I need to create an ability which functions as the "heart" of the class. I feel that taking away the ki abilities creates a class that's sort of paladin, sort of bard and sort of inquisitor/cleric.
Class skills: The following are the class skills of the Monastic Monk.
Appraise (Int), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all), Perception (Wis), Profession (Int), Linguistics (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device
Weapon Proficiencies: Monastic monks are proficient with all simple weapons, but no armor or shields.
Sense Magic: At 1st level a monk can Sense Magic as the spell at will. This ability replaces unarmed strike.
Domain: At 1st level monastic monk may choose one cleric domain. The monk gains only the ability from this domain and gains no spellcasting from this ability. This ability replaces flurry of blows, evasion, and improved evasion.
Breadth of Knowledge: At 1st level, a monastic monk gains a bonus on Knowledge skill checks equal to half her class level (minimum +1) and can make Knowledge skill checks untrained.
Scribe Scroll: At 2nd level a monastic monk gains the feat Scribe Scroll. Even though they do not cast divine spells a monastic monk may scribe any scroll from the Cleric spell list, including any bonus spells from his domain. A monastic monk uses his monk levels as Cleric levels for the purpose of creating scrolls.
Lay on Hands: At 4th level a monastic monk may use the ability Lay on Hands as a paladin of his monk level -2. This ability replaces Wholeness of Body, Ki pool, slow fall, high jump, abundant step, quivering palm, timeless body and empty body.