By the way, yes, I also thought about the jellyfish. But I overlooked the nagas, and they are direct descendants!
As for the connection between monks and novices, I believe it doesn't exist, since monks were quite capable combat archers, while novices were support healers. And if you remember the phrase in the tavern in Heroes of Might and Magic III: "Fanatics are creatures of pure energy." This suggests a connection with the Glorias. Overall, it's ambiguous, as I see it.