Every point helps

Most quests are just gold rewards.
The last quests in the Lumber Mill (from shop store guy and the ancient treant) do give items, but nothing for a monk (a heavy helm and a bow).
In the same area is a beastie called Treant Elder (minor boss - hourly'ish spawn, end quest from the store guy is to kill him)- he sometimes drops an elder staff - lvl 8 staff weapon (1 pt better than the lvl 8 shop bought).
There is also the Wicked staff (lvl8) that the troll boss sometimes drops - you will know who I am talking about if you have done the quests from the Seamore city guard, it is better than long staff, worse than edler staff
To the south of the lumber mill, where you see kageti crows etc there are two monsters in there Luna and Mendel, Luna drops ivory chuuks lvl 15 monk weapon and Mendel drops light armour (lvl20 monk can wear). They are hourly'ish spawn bosses as well, but might be icky to solo before lvl 20 or so. There are quests in there too (from the shop guy in there) that lead to an item reward - but I dont think there is anything for a monk, but the last one is to kill luna and mendel anyway...
You remembered to dual wield aye? I forgot when I first played, only remembered when I looked over another monk...
Beggars also drop long staff (but you might as well buy it and elder staff is better).
Have a look at the wiki, wont hurt, theres a rough guide guide there. It is WIP though.