Added Monk Subclasses

Homebrew Subclass List

• Abnegation Ascetic Monk

• Amethyst Fist Monk

• Angels Monk

• Animal Shen Monk

• Brutality Monk

• Cosmic Grasp Monk

• Crane Monk

• Devils Monk

• Eight Gates Monk

• Eight Paths Monk

• Eminence Monk

• Enlightened Lotus Monk

• Eternally Surprised Monk

• Flesh Monk

• Flowing River Monk

• Flying Fist Monk

• Four Fists Monk

• Gravitation Monk

• Golden Hand Monk

• Hummingbird Monk

• Kidney Punch Monk

• Living Weapon Monk

• Long Blade Monk

• Moon Monk

• Pain Monk

• Pilgrims Monk

• Pride Monk

• Rose Monk

• Sacred Inks Monk

• Seven Seals Monk

• Specter Monk

• Sphinx Monk

• Still Water Monk

• Street Fighting Monk

• Strength Monk

• Third Eye Monk

• Thousand Voices Monk

• Thunderclap Monk

• Unerring Arrow Monk

• Verdant Path Monk

• Void Monk

Way of Abnegation Ascetic [Monk]

In a raw and dangerous world, some survive through the discipline of self-denial. The way of abnegation is the ascetic practice of denying physical needs and desires to embrace greater clarity of thought, or to unlock a strength buried deep within the core of one’s being. An ascetic who has devoted themselves to the way of abnegation understands the role of the mind and body as vessels, straining their limits so that they may grow.

This path of denial is different for each that walks it, as sacrifice and hardship takes many forms. Ascetics may practice the disciplines of silence, solitude, and stillness as they seek attunement to the world, and others may train for many days with little food or water, forcing their bodies to endure in accordance with their will. Some distance themselves from their struggle to better understand the world around them, while others embrace their struggle, using their suffering as a catalyst for strength.

The way of abnegation is arduous and severe in equal measure, but those who walk it cultivate a great power, drawn up from deep within themselves and honed by the strength of their will to endure.

Discipline of Denial

• At 3rd level, your mind and body have grown stronger, and you have learned to endure or to grow stronger in response to the pains of the world. You gain the following benefits: 
  • Ward Blows. You can use your reaction to mitigate the strike when you are hit by a melee weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your monk level. If you reduce the damage to 0, you create an opening for a counterattack. You can spend 1 ki point to make a melee attack against your attacker as part of the same reaction. 
  • Abstention. The ki flowing through your body sustains you further than most. You only require half as much food and water to ward off exhaustion. In addition, whenever you complete a long rest, your exhaustion level is reduced by an additional 1.

Enduring Form

• Starting at 6th level, you have distanced yourself from the suffering your body endures, or have grown beyond it. Whenever you take the Dodge action, you gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

Prodigious Vessel

• Starting at 11th level, the power within and without you has begun to blossom, and you have learned how to best assume the suffering of others. 
  • Warding Technique. When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to intercept the attack, forcing the attacker to target you instead. You may use your Deflect Missiles or Ward Blows features in response to this attack as part of the same reaction, if possible.
  • Improved Deflection. Whenever you spend a ki point to make either a ranged or melee attack as part of your Deflect Missiles or Deflect Blows features, you make that attack with advantage.

Abdication of Suffering

• Starting at 17th level, you have achieved perfect discipline over your physical form. You can take the Dodge action as part of any bonus action you take to make one or more unarmed strikes on your turn.

Way of the Amethyst Fist [Monk]

A monk who follows the Way of the Amethyst Fist sacrifices a portion of their anatomy—part of one arm—to fuse a psionic prosthetic in its place, known as an “amethyst fist.” Amethyst, however, is merely a useful descriptor; the prosthetic is not composed of common gemstone, but a rare, psychically resonant mineral called tellectite. These psionically potent crystals, prized by those with psychic abilities, are mined in the dimension of Erewhon—a place hypothesized to be a hidden layer of the Astral Plane that is not only inaccessible, but simply doesn’t exist for gods, celestials, or fiends. Those who seek to follow the Way of the Amethyst Fist must first find a teacher willing to pass on the tradition’s secrets. The student must spend three days in a concentrated meditative trance; at the end of this process, one of the monk’s arms from the elbow down is replaced with a fully functional prosthetic made of tellectite. Upon completing their initiation, an Amethyst Fist monk gains a direct connection not only to their own psionic potential, but to a greater sea of mental power reverberating throughout the cosmos, sometimes called the “Psychosphere.”

Psionic Prosthetic

• At 3rd level, one of your arms, from the elbow down, has been replaced by a prosthetic made of the psychically resonant mineral called tellectite. This fully articulated crystalline arm functions as a normal arm and hand, and your sensation of touch and proprioception are unaffected.
  
  The prosthetic is immune to acid and poison damage and has resistance to damage from attacks that are not magical or made with adamantine weapons. The rest of your body does not gain these resistances and immunities.

Mind Like A Fist

• At 3rd level, your prosthetic allows you to detect the presence of thinking creatures you can’t see. As an action, you can spend 1 ki point to heighten your perception for 1 minute; for the duration, you are aware of the presence and location of any creatures within 30 feet of you that have an Intelligence of 4 or greater and speak at least one language.
  
  When under the effect of this feature, a creature gains no benefit from being unseen by you, and you can target them with any effect that requires you to see the creature. If a creature becomes aware of being affected by this feature, they can end the effect by succeeding on a Wisdom saving throw.
  
  Your psionic perception can penetrate barriers, but 2 feet of rock, a thin sheet of lead, or 2 inches of any other metal blocks it.

Insightful Fist

• At 3rd level, if you touch a creature or make a successful melee attack against one, you can spend 1 ki point to use your prosthetic to probe the target’s mind. If the creature has an Intelligence of 4 or higher and speaks and understands a language, you learn their surface thoughts for up to 1 minute. The target must also succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or you gain deeper knowledge of their interior state, as if you’d cast the detect thoughts spell. The creature can make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns to end the effect early.
  
  When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of the unarmed strikes with a use of this feature without spending a ki point.
  
  You also gain proficiency in the Insight skill.

Psychic Fist

• At 3rd level, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to deal extra psychic damage equal to your Wisdom modifier + one roll of your Martial Arts die. You can use this feature only once per turn.

Fist of Obedience

• Starting at 6th level, if you touch a creature or make a successful melee attack against one, you can spend 1 ki point to use your prosthetic to impel obedience in the target. If the creature fails a Wisdom saving throw and has an Intelligence of 4 or higher, they are psionically compelled to act according to your mental instructions, as if you’d cast the suggestion spell on them.

Inevitable Fist

• Starting at 6th level, as a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to psychically imbue your prosthetic with greater efficacy. For 1 minute, your prosthetic sheds dim light in a 20-foot radius and when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, the attack ignores their damage resistances and vulnerabilities.

Distant Fist

• Starting at 11th level, you can make melee attacks against distant foes. By using a bonus action and spending 1 ki point, you summon an astral version of your amethyst fist into existence. For 1 minute, the reach of your unarmed strikes made with your Psionic Prosthetic is 120 feet.

Fist of Dominance

• Starting at 17th level, if you touch a creature or make a successful melee attack against one, you can spend 1 ki point to use your prosthetic to attempt to dominate the target. If the creature fails a Wisdom saving throw, they are psionically charmed by you as if you’d cast the dominate monster spell on them. This charm effect lasts for 1 hour or until you lose your concentration (as if you were concentrating on a spell). A creature previously dominated by this feature can’t be affected by it again for 24 hours.

Way of Angels [Monk]

Although an angel fighting is a rare sight to behold, it’s not unheard of. The masters of various monastic traditions that witnessed such scenes retrain themselves in the search of heavenly perfection. They experiment with their styles to find the most efficient and elegant moves, and by doing so, they try to resemble angels.

One follows the Way of Angels to unlock the heavenly ki that resides in every mortal soul. Of all monk traditions, the way of angels may require the most discipline.

Golden Rings

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can materialize your ki in the form of large golden rings. As a bonus action, you can spend ki points to create golden rings on your wrist. You can spend 1 ki point to create a golden ring on each wrist. At 11th level, you can spend up to 2 ki points to create up to two golden rings on each wrist. At 20th level, you can spend up to 3 ki points to create up to three golden rings on each wrist. The rings disappear after 1 minute.
  
  While you have a golden ring on your wrist, your successful unarmed attacks or your attacks made with monk weapons deal 1 extra radiant damage. In addition, on each hit, the extra radiant damage is doubled until the start of your next turn. For example, if you make four unarmed attacks against a creature and three of them are successful, your first successful attack deals 1 extra radiant damage, your second successful attack deals 2 extra radiant damage, and your third successful attack deals 4 extra radiant damage.
  
  While you have two rings on each wrist, the extra damage increases to 2. While you have three rings on each wrist, the extra damage increases to 3.

Ki Treatment

• Beginning at 6th level, whenever you spend ki points, you regain 3 hit points per ki point spent.

Against the Void

• Starting at 11th level, you can enter a special body state that surrounds you with a faint aura of golden light. At the end of a long rest, you gain the effect of a protection from evil and good spell that lasts until the start of your next long rest (the spell can be ended early as normal). As long the spell remains active, you have resistance against necrotic damage.

Heavenly Ki

• Absolute control over your ki enables you to unlock the secrets of heavenly ki, which sustains, protects, and empowers you.
  
  Starting at 17th level, you no longer need to breathe to stay alive and you can’t die of old age. In addition, you can use the following benefits. The limitations to the durations of the following features are determined by those in the Golden Rings feature.
  
  
  • Blessing of the Heavenly Ki. As an action, you can spend (at least) 2 ki points to share (at least) two of your golden rings (one from each arm) with an ally of your choice within 100 feet of you. When you do, the golden rings disappear from your wrists and reappear on those of your ally. You can choose to share your golden rings with multiple allies by spending additional ki points. Every ally with two golden rings gains 20 temporary hit points and a +1 bonus to AC. Every ally that has a golden ring deals an extra 1 radiant damage with melee weapon attacks (the additional damage is doubled in the same way as in the Golden Rings feature). You cannot give more than two rings to the same ally within the duration.
    
    While you are using your golden rings in this way, you can’t benefit from their damage bonus. You can call back any number of rings (in multiples of two) as a bonus action. 
  • Golden Celestial Gardens of Heavenly Legion. As a bonus action, you can spend 2 ki points to take two golden rings off your wrist and place them on the ground, completely covering a 15-foot radius with gold. Silver and golden flowers bloom in the area, and the smell of heavenly incense fills the air. You can spend 2 additional ki points to place two more golden rings on the ground, and the radius of the area increases by 10 feet per every two golden rings taken off. The allies in the area gain the resistances and immunities you have. While in the area you can also use your action to expend 1 to 10 ki points, and have an ally of your choice that is also within the area regain 1d10 hit points per ki points spent.
    
    While you are using your golden rings in this way, you can’t benefit from their damage bonus. You can call back any number of rings (in multiples of two) as a bonus action. 
  • Wall of Golden Rings. As a bonus action, you can throw two golden rings, one from each wrist, at two different unoccupied spaces in a 60-foot radius by expending 2 ki points. These golden rings form 30-foot-high radiant force walls with all other golden rings within 10 feet of them.
    
    Nothing can physically pass through the wall. It is immune to all damage and can’t be dispelled by the dispel magic spell. A disintegrate spell instantly destroys the wall and the golden rings return to you. The wall also extends into the Ethereal Plane, blocking ethereal travel through the wall. 

Way of the Animal Shen [Monk]

The Way of the Animal Shen teaches its students to look to the animal kingdom for inspiration in battle. By studying their movements one can learn great truths and powerful fighting techniques. From the quick, sharp strikes of the crane, to the furious power of the tiger. A Monk of this tradition can achieve amazing feats of martial prowess by emulating these animals through stances. 

A monk that follows the Way of the Animal Shen is a constant student of every animal style, practicing daily. Each stance is a martial style that has been created by a master throughout history. These monks dedicate themselves to mastering all the shen in hopes of one day attaining the most powerful and prestigious stance of all, the Dragon Shen.

Shen Style

• At 3rd level, you learn two shen from the list below. When you gain a level in this class, you can choose to replace a shen you know with a different one.
  
  As a bonus action, you can assume a martial stance based on a shen you know. While you are in this stance you can use the features it provides.
  
  At 6th level, you learn one additional shen.
  
  At 11th level, your shen improves.
  • Crane Shen
    • Gather the Blossoms. You can use your Deflect Missiles feature without expending your reaction, up to twice per round. 
    • Crane Strike. When you use your Patient Defense feature and a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make one unarmed strike against them. 
    • Slay the Ape. At 11th level, when you hit a creature with your unarmed strike, vou can expend 2 ki points to attempt to blind them. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be Blinded until the end of your next turn.
  • Monkey Shen
    • Monkey King Staff. You can use your quarterstaff in place of your unarmed strikes. 
    • Drunken Monkey. As a bonus action, you make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check against a creature within your reach, contested by its Passive Perception. If you succeed, your attacks have advantage against that target until the end of your next turn. 
    • Mad Monkey. At 11th level, as a reaction to making a Strength-based ability check or saving throw, you can expend 2 ki points and give yourself advantage on these rolls until the end of your next turn.
  • Black Leopard Shen
    • Panther Step. Your movements make no sound. You gain a bonus to your Dexterity (Stealth) checks equal to your Wisdom modifier. 
    • Cat's Reflexes. You add your Wisdom modifier to Initiative checks. 
    • Leopard Paw. At 11th level, when you make an opportunity attack, you can expend 2 ki points to turn it into a flurry of blows.
  • Snake Shen
    • Fang Hand Method. You score a critical hit with your unarmed strikes on a roll of 19 or 20. 
    • Strike and Coil. When you hit a creature with your unarmed strike, you can make a grapple check against them as a reaction. 
    • Poison Strike. At 11th level, when you hit a creature with your unarmed strike, you can expend 2 ki points to attempt a poison strike. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be Poisoned until the end of your next turn.
  • Tiger Shen
    • Tiger Takedown. When you hit a creature with your unarmed strike, you can expend 1 ki point and the target must succeed on a i Sag saving throw or be knocked prone.
    • Tiger Paw. Your unarmed strike deals piercing, slashing or bludgeoning damage (your choice), and 1d4 additional damage. 
    • Primal Pounce. At 11th level, after moving at least 15 feet in a straight line and succeeding on a Tiger Takedown attack, you can expend 2 ki points to make a flurry of blows attack as a reaction.

Dragon Shen

• At 17th level, you learn the Dragon Shen.
  
  Dragon Claw. When you hit a creature with your unarmed strike, you can expend 2 ki points to deal an additional 2d8 acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage.
  
  Dragon Fist. As an action, you expend 6 ki points and thrust both fists forward in a direction you choose before releasing a beam of draconic ki. Choose one damage type; acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. Each creature in a 60 feet line originating from you must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 1046 damage on a failure or half as much on a success. Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Way of Brutality [Monk]

Monks of the Way of Brutality ignore their schools’ teachings about the dispassionate use of violence as a last resort, but absorb every bit of anatomical education. These cruel outcasts from more traditional schools of martial arts exploit their knowledge of the body’s weaknesses and the flow of ki to fight with cruel precision and vicious delight. When they fight, these sadistic monks inflict as much pain as possible before their inevitable victory. Their unfortunate targets limp away with broken bones and shattered pride—if they survive the encounter at all. 

Eye for Weakness 

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can analyze enemy pressure points to identify their most valuable assets. If you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, the DM chooses a number of the target’s features or traits equal to your Wisdom modifier, and shares their names with you. You can also learn this information as a bonus action if you spend 1 ki point and succeed on a contested Wisdom (Insight) check against the target’s Charisma (Deception) check. You must be able to see the target in order to use this feature, and creatures that cannot be sensed through magical means (such as the nondetection spell) are immune to this feature.
  
  Lastly, you gain proficiency in Medicine.

Dirty Fighting

• At 3rd level, you learn how to fight dirty. Whenever you hit a creature with an attack granted by Flurry of Blows, you can impose one of the following effects on that target: 
  • It must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be blinded until the end of your next turn. 
  • It must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be unable to breathe or vocalize until the end of your next turn. 
  • It must succeed on a Strength saving throw or have its speed reduce to 5 feet until the end of your next turn. 

Frightful Presence

• Upon reaching 6th level, you are able to manipulate the ki in others to strike them with fear. When you take this action, each creature within 30 feet of you that can see you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Brutal Blows

• At 11th level, you learn how to place your blows for maximum effect. When you hit a creature with an attack granted by your Flurry of Blows, the attack deals an additional die of damage.

Maximize Harm 

• Starting at 17th level, you give in to the temptation to brutalize helpless opponents. When you spend ki points to stun a creature or disrupt its ki, you can spend 2 additional ki points to deal doubled damage to it until the end of your turn. 

Way of the Cosmic Grasp [Monk]

Monks of the Cosmic Grasp are gifted with sight beyond the Material Plane. After years of intense training, these monks learn to watch as the universe shifts, and are able to spot and take advantage of fissures in the planes. Some call them Walkers of Planes, though their abilities extend far beyond movement.

Walker of Planes

• At 3rd level, whenever you use your Step of the Wind, you can slip through cracks in the fabric of your plane as means of instantaneous teleportation. You may teleport up to your speed to an unoccupied space. For example, if your movement speed is 30 feet, you can appear up to 30 feet away. You don’t have to be able to see a location to appear there, but if you attempt to travel to an occupied location, the ability fails and you remain at your original location.

Banishing Blow

• Upon reaching 6th level, you can attempt to strike a creature to another plane of existence. When you make a successful Unarmed Strike or Flurry of Blows attack, you may spend 2 ki points to pummel a creature to another plane of existence. The target creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw against your Ki save DC, or be expelled to another plane.
  
  If your target is native to the plane of existence you’re on, your strike sends them to a harmless demiplane for up to 1 minute. While there, the target is incapacitated. When the effect ends, the target reappears in the space they left, or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied.
  
  If your target is native to a different plane of existence than the one you’re on, they are sent to their home plane. You can spend an additional 4 ki points to seal them on that plane for up to 24 hours, after which the creature can choose to return to the nearest unoccupied location. Otherwise, they return to the nearest unoccupied location after 1 minute.

Secured Exits

• At 11th level, you gain the ability to choose who is permitted to travel through the planes around you. Within a 120 foot radius, you can force a creature attempting to teleport or travel through or within the planes to make a Wisdom saving throw against your Ki save DC. On a failure, their attempted teleportation fizzles, and they are unsuccessful. If they fail, they still expend their spell slot, feature use, or other resource that they were using for their teleportation.

Gated Departure

• At 17th level, your mastery of the planes has granted you access to many different lands and habitats and has hardened your skin and mind against damage. Gain immunity to two types of damage of your choice.

Way of the Crane [Monk]

There is elegance in intricate craftsmanship not often appreciated by passerby. The minute curve of folded paper to achieve a design so realistic it makes you wonder at the possibility of its making. Monks of the Way of the Crane seek to embody this unbelievable refinement in their every movement, perfectly dancing above those who would harm, as they scatter impossibly refined sculptures below them to carry out their every whim.

Papercraft

• At 3rd level, you have learned to craft paper into ki-enhanced origami that follow your command. Over the course of a long rest, you can craft a number of sculptures equal to half your monk level + your Wisdom modifier (a minimum of one). For each origami that you craft, choose its purpose from the options below. 
  • Guiding. These light paper cranes have wings shaped to hold you aloft. When you use Step of the Wind, you can expend one of these cranes to gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed until the end of the turn. Piercing. When you make an attack granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can expend one of these sharp paper cranes to deal piercing damage to an object or creature of your choice within 30 feet of you equal to your Martial Arts die. 
  • Scouting. These thinly shaped cranes are expertly designed to maneuver unseen. You can expend one of these cranes over the course of 10 minutes to send it up to 1 mile away from you to a place or point you describe. During this time it records the sights it sees in writing, which forms across its body in a language you know of your choice. At the end of the duration the crane returns to you. 

Frightful Presence

• Upon reaching 6th level, the leftover scraps of your craft still contain remnants of ki, allowing you to form them into a defensive wall. When you expend an origami, you can form the paper into a barrier that has 3 hit points, or increase the hit points of an existing barrier by the same amount. When you would take damage, you can cause the barrier to take any amount of that damage instead. If this damage reduces the barrier to 0 hit points, you take any remaining damage. The barrier vanishes when it drops to 0 hit points, or when you finish a long rest.

Flock

• At 11th level, your power has grown great enough to manifest your papercraft in a split second. When you end your turn and have spent at least 2 ki points since the start of your turn, you gain a number of origami equal to half the number of ki spent. The origami have a purpose of your choice and last for 10 minutes..

Paperform

• At 17th level, you have become one with the sculptures you create. You can spend 5 ki points to cast simulacrum as an action without requiring material components. When you cast the spell in this way, it is changed in the following ways: 
  • The duration is 12 hours and you must create a duplicate of yourself. 
  • The duplicate is made of paper, and appears with the same number of origami that currently have. 
  • You can expend 1 to 5 origami as a bonus action to repair the duplicate. It regains 5 hit points and 1 ki point for each origami expended. 

Way of Devils [Monk]

Monks of the Way of Devils are part of an ancient and unholy order, one dedicated to serving the legions of devils in their war against the demons of the abyss, as well as serving their infernal masters’ interests on the Material Plane. Whereas most monks train in the art of self-defense, those of the Way of Devils focus on inflicting punishment and controlling their enemies. It is said that the first of these monks were exiled angels, newly bound into pacts with Asmodeus and willing to wield his devilish chains over the prospect of becoming chained themselves. 

Devilish Chain

• At 3rd level, you gain the ability to summon a spectral, fiendish chain of burning iron to attack and bind your foes. Whenever you take the Attack action, you can summon the chain to your empty hand and use it for the attack. The chain uses the statistics of a whip, but with a reach of 15 feet, and it counts as a monk weapon for you. You can only have one chain summoned at a time. It disappears after 1 minute, if you are reduced to 0 hit points, or if you dismiss it early as a bonus action.
  
  Additionally, whenever you hit a creature with your chain, you can spend 1 ki point to apply one of the following effects. You can only use one of these effects each time you make an attack with the chain. 
  • Binding Chain. The creature must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is restrained until the start of your next turn and cannot move more than 15 feet away from you. A creature restrained by the chain can use its action to make a Strength saving throw, freeing itself on a success. While a creature is restrained in this way, you cannot use the chain to make other attacks.
  • Burning Chain. You deal an additional acid, cold, or fire damage (your choice when you use this feature) equal to one martial arts die. 
  • Luring Chain. If the creature is one size larger than you or smaller, you pull the creature up to 10 feet closer to you.

Vile Edict

• At 6th level, you have learned to speak in the wicked tongue of the nine hells, compelling your foes to obey in and out of battle. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to cast the command spell either as an action or a bonus action. The target has disadvantage on the saving throw if it is restrained by your chain.

Hellish Tether

• At 11th level, you can bind a foe to you in torturous turmoil. When you restrain a target using the Binding Chain option from your Devilish Chain feature, you can spend an additional 2 ki points to change the duration of the restraining effect to 1 minute. The creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. On a failed save, it takes 2d6 of acid, cold, or fire damage (your choice).

Fiendish Form

• At 17th level, your commitment to the nine hells has been proven and you have been rewarded in kind. On your turn, you can spend 5 ki points as a bonus action to take on the qualities of a fiend for 1 minute. You can end these traits early as a bonus action. While in your fiendish form, you gain the following benefits:
  • You gain immunity to fire and poison damage, and resistance to cold damage and bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren’t silvered. 
  • Your attacks deal an additional 1d10 acid, cold, or fire damage (your choice). 
  • You gain a flying speed equal to your current walking speed.

Way of the Eight Gates [Monk]

Ki. The force that flows through all living creatures. Monks use this energy to enhance their strengths, debilitate their foes and perform feats any other would deem nothing sort of miraculous.

However, the body has to be sparing in how it distributes ki, lest it overtakes the body and destroys it from within. Luckily, the body regulates this on its own through certain nodes in the body that open and close instinctively to allow ki to flow to where it is needed.

These nodes, known as Ki Gates, can with proper training be forced open in order to let the ki flow free and unobstructed throughout the body. However, doing so is extremely risky...

Form of the Eight Gates

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn how to use your ki to open the nodes through which your ki flows. These nodes are known as the Eight Ki Gates. By opening these gates, you are able to increase your power, precision, and capabilities, though doing so puts enormous strain upon your body.
  
  As a bonus action on your turn, you can spend at least 1 ki point to in order to activate the Form of the Eight Gates. When you do so, you open a number of gates equal to the number of ki points spent, gaining each opened gate's benefits for the form's duration.
  
  Your gates open consecutively, always starting with the First gate. Additional gates can be opened on your subsequent turns by spending additional ki points, with each additional ki point spent opening another gate, up to the highest gate you are capable of opening.
  
  The form of the Eight Gates lasts for 1 minute, until you are reduced to 0 hit points or you choose to end it as a bonus action.
  
  At 3rd level, you are able to open the First and Second gates. You gain the ability to open further gates as you level up, as denoted under each gate's level requirement.
  
  Drawbacks
  • Keep in mind, however, that opening your ki gates is not without consequence and you suffer drawbacks when the form ends and with each gate you open, the drawbacks become harsher and more severe.
    
    When your Form of the Eight Gates ends, you must make a Constitution saving throw, DC 10 + number of gates you had open for the duration. On a failed save, you are affected by all drawbacks listed under the gates you had open, resolving them from the lowest numbered gate's drawback to the highest.

Shadow Step

• You have learned how to use your own attacks as distractions in order to gain the upper hand. At 6th level, immediately after you make a melee attack against a creature, you can spend 1 ki point in order to instantly teleport up to your speed into an unoccupied space in its blindspot within 5 feet of it.
  
  If you do and you are in its blindspot, you automatically count as hidden from it, unless it does not rely on sight to see.

Instant Opening

• Starting at 11th level, your first two gates cost no ki points to open and you do not suffer the lethargy drawback if you fail your drawback saving throw.
  
  Also, you can now open your gates with no bonus action required on your turn, though you can still do so only once per turn.

Master of the Eight Gates

• When you reach 17th level, your first four gates cost no ki points to open.
  
  Additionally, whenever you score a critical hit with a melee attack, you regain 1 ki point.

The Eight Gates

• • Listed below is the EIght Ki Gates, their effects while open, and any drawbacks that come with opening them.
    
    If a gate's ability requires a saving throw, the DC is equal to your Ki save DC.
    
    
    
    • First Gate - Gate of Opening

      • Upon initiating the Form of the Eight Gates and opening the First gate, you feel the metaphorical doors of your mind be thrown open.
        
        While this gate is open, you can use your Wisdom modifier in place of Strength for any attack roll using your melee attacks, as well as ability checks, and saving throws that use Strength.
      • Drawback - Lethargy. Each time you fail your saving throw, your speed is reduced by half until you finish a short or long rest. You ignore the effect of this drawback as long as the Form of the Eight Gates is active.
    • Second Gate - Gate of Healing

      • Upon opening this gate, your body's natural healing process kicks into overdrive to restore the damage done to your continuously over-stressed muscles or use it to cause additional harm to your opponents.
        
        While this gate is open, you can use the following techniques:
        • As an action or bonus action, you can expend one of your hit dice. You regain hit points equal to the roll + your Constitution modifier.
        • When you hit with a melee attack, you can expend on of your hit dice and add it as additional necrotic damage.
    • Third Gate - Gate of Life

      • Prerequisite: 5th level Monk
      • When you open this gate, your bloodflow increases sharply, turning your skin red and your sweat begins to evaporate to steam.
        
        While this gate is open, you gain access to an advanced technique known as the Reverse Lotus.
        • Reverse Lotus. Once per turn when you hit a target of your size or smaller with a melee attack, you can attempt to use a combination of acrobatics and grappling techniques to slam the target into the ground or against a solid surface.
          
          The target takes the attack's normal damage and must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, you throw the target into the ground or against a solid surface up to 15 feet away. Upon impact, the target takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage per gate you have open and is knocked prone.
      • Drawback - Overexertion. On a failed save, you suffer 1d4 necrotic damage per ki point you spent  the last 1 minute. On a success, you take half the damage.
    • Fourth Gate - Gate of Pain

      • Prerequisite: 7th level Monk
      • When this gate is open, a creature that fails its saving throw against your Stunning Strike takes necrotic damage equal to half your monk level (rounded down) + the number of gates you have open.
    • Fifth Gate - Gate of Limit

      • Prerequisite: 9th level Monk
      • While this gate is open, you can use Step of the Wind without expending ki points. If you do so, you do not trigger attacks of opportunity.
      • Drawback - Fatigue. On a failed save, you take a point of exhaustion.
    • Sixth Gate - Gate of View

      • Prerequisite: 13h level Monk
      • While this gate is open, you are able to push yourself to a much higher degree than ever.
        
        Immediately after using Flurry of Blows, you can spend up to an additional 2 ki points in order to make one more unarmed attack per ki point spent. When you do so, you take 1d4 necrotic damage per additional ki point spent at the end of your turn.
    • Seventh Gate - Gate of Wonder

      • Prerequisite: 15th level Monk
      • While this gate is open, you add half your proficiency bonus (rounded down) to your AC and you gain a new action called Tiger's Roar.
      • Tiger's Roar. As an action you can spend 3 ki points to concentrate your ki into your fist, unleashing a shockwave of concentrated air pressure in a 60 foot cone in front of you. Each creature in the cone must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save a creature takes 1d8 thunder damage per gate you have open and is knocked prone, while on a success the creature only takes half the damage. A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
      • Drawback - Daze. On a failed save, you fall prone and become paralyzed until the end of your next turn.
    • Eighth Gate - Gate of Death

      • Prerequisite: 17th level Monk
      • When you open this gate, you push yourself to such a degree that your blood begins to boil and seep out of your pores, turning into a red mist.
        
        While this gate is open, you are at the absolute peak of your physical capability and gain the following benefits:
        • You gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, fire, and cold damage.
        • Your melee attacks deal force damage instead of their standard one.
        • You score a critical hit on a 19 or a 20 on the d20.
        • Your AC becomes 25 if it is not already higher.
        • You gain advantage in saving throws.
        • Your Flurry of Blows cost no ki points to use. 
        • Your walking speed is doubled.
        • Your standing and running jumping distance becomes equal to your walking speed.
        • You gain immunity to the incapacitated, paralyzed, stunned, and unconscious conditions.
        • At the start of each round, you recover 1 ki point.
        • You gain access to the Evening Elephant technique.
          • Evening Elephant. As an action on your turn, you can spend 4 ki points and target a creature within your walking distance. You immediately move blindingly fast up to it without triggering attacks of opportunity and deliver numerous devastating strikes from multiple angles.
            
            The target must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d12 force damage on a failed save and half as much on a success. Regardless of the save, the target is pushed up to 60 feet away from you and is knocked prone. Immediately afterwards, you can move up to your speed to an unoccupied space within your walking distance from where the target was when you used this feature.
        • If anything would end your Form of the Eight Gates, such as either its duration has run out, if you drop to 0 hit points or start your turn at 0 hit points, you can choose to immediately reduce your hit point maximum by 10 in order to extend its duration until the end of your next turn.
          
          When you do so, you remain conscious even if you're at 0 hit points. You still make death saving throws at the start of each of your turns and you fail one automatically if you take damage as normal.
          
          If you fail 3 death saving throws you, you only die if you are still at 0 hit points when the Form of the Eight Gates ends, though you die instantly if your hit point maximum is reduced to 0. Your hit point maximum is restored when you finish a number of long rests equal to per 10 hit point maximum reduced.
      • Drawback - Imminent Doom. On a successful save, you suffer every other drawback as if you failed your saving throw with seven gates open.
        
        On a failed save, the same effect occurs, you drop to 0 hit points and you have disadvantage on death saving throws until you are stabilized.

Way of the Eight Paths [Monk]

In one ancient and mysterious sect of spiritualism, the eight directions represent the natural cycles of the world and the flow of the spirit through all living things. These ideals evolved from similar beliefs of the those in Apreah, who often assign great cultural meaning to the cardinal directions. The monks who follow the Eight Paths embark on a journey of the spirit, each following a different route toward enlightenment. The Way of the Eight Paths is central to the numerous orders in Apreah, but versions of it have spread across Xenara. The Eight Paths are philosophies about nature and one’s spirit. Each monk of the order chooses one of these paths to follow, displaying powers and abilities specifically related to that aspect. Monks of the Eight Paths bear trinkets or tattoos representing their path, and most wear gray-green hoods, a symbol of their pledge to follow the tenets of the tradition. As a monk of the Eight Paths, you choose your spiritual route, and it is one unique to you, though others certainly share similar pathways. You will unlock many abilities and powers during your life-long journey toward ultimate enlightenment. 

The Tenets of the Eight Paths

• Each of the Eight Paths of Fándred follows a particular philosophy and is linked with a spirit, a nature totem embodying its beliefs. 
  • The Branch. The path of protection. As we are greater together than alone, you must stand for others and aid those in need. Monks of the Branch heal with a touch and magically shield the helpless. Their animal is the bear. 
  • The Claw. The path of bravery. In the struggle against injustice, you must be stalwart and without fear. Monks of the Claw have great willpower and determination. Their animal is the jaguar. 
  • The Feather. The path of teaching. You must find peace within, for only by knowing oneself can you lead others to the truth. Monks of the Feather demonstrate instinctive leadership, inspiring heroism in their companions. Their animal is the eagle. 
  • The Leaf. The path of perception. To understand the world and protect it, you must always be aware. Monks of the Leaf excel in investigations and tracking. Their animal is the wolf. 
  • The Lightning. The path of strength. It is not enough to merely stand in the way of disaster; you must always act decisively and without hesitation. Monks of the Lightning follow the most militaristic branch of the Eight Paths, and are known for their ruthlessness. Their animal is the hawk. 
  • The Moon. The path of understanding. Knowing only the foolish accept as true that which they view but once, you must always seek the truth below the surface. Monks of the Moon possess nearly supernatural insight and abhor falsehoods. Their animal is the snake. 
  • The Stone. The path of endurance. Be direct and resolute in the stream of adversity, and hardship will part around you like water. Stone monks toughen their bodies and minds to withstand anything that might assail them. Their animal is the boar. 
  • The Wind. The path of movement. As the breeze is unchained, so too must you be free of roots or attachments, be they places, people, or your identity. Monks of the Wind have incredible speed, both when traveling and when fighting. Their animal is the deer. 

Initate's Insight

• Starting at 3rd level, though the road you follow has eight branches, all lead toward the truth, and you must select one to be your path. You make or receive a physical representation of your chosen path. An amulet, a trinket, or a tattoo are traditional options. You choose one of the eight paths described below, and gain its feature. 
  • The Branch. You gain advantage on Wisdom (Medicine) checks and on saving throws against effects that deal bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. 
  • The Claw. You gain advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on a saving throw against becoming frightened. 
  • The Feather. You gain advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on a saving throw against becoming charmed. 
  • The Leaf. You gain advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on a saving throw against becoming blinded or deafened. 
  • The Lightning. You can add your proficiency bonus to your initiative rolls. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on any saving throw that might cause you to fall prone. 
  • The Moon. You gain advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on a saving throw against illusion effects. 
  • The Stone. You gain advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks and on saving throws against becoming poisoned or gaining exhaustion. 
  • The Wind. You gain advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks. As a reaction, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on a saving throw against becoming restrained or incapacitated. 

Ki Smite

• Beginning at 6th level, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to roll your Martial Arts die and deal extra damage to the target equal to the result. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns. When you reach 12th level in this class, you instead roll your Martial Arts die twice and deal extra damage to the target equal to the total result. 

Disciple's Discovery

• Upon reaching 11th level, as you follow your chosen tradition, your spirit reaches deeper into the spirit, the source of all. The token of your path magically becomes larger or more ornate, or you receive a second similar symbol of your dedication. 

• The Branch. As a bonus action, you can touch a creature and either restore a number of hit points equal to 4d6 plus your proficiency bonus or remove one level of exhaustion. 
• The Claw. As a bonus action, you remove any effect causing the frightened condition from all creatures within 15 feet of you. If you remove at least one condition using this feature, you can make one extra attack this turn when you use your Attack action. 
• The Feather. As a bonus action, an aura of heroism emanates from you in a 30-foot radius, moving with you until the beginning of your next turn. Each nonhostile creature in the aura, including you, has advantage on their first attack roll on their turn. 
• The Leaf. As a bonus action, you gain tremorsense to a range of 120 feet until the beginning of your next turn. 
• The Lightning. As a bonus action, you can charge your blows with Vaala’s unending strength. When you make an unarmed strike, any target you hit, and all hostile creatures within 5 feet of that target, must make a Strength saving throw against your ki save DC or be knocked prone. You retain this ability until the beginning of your next turn. 
• The Moon. As a bonus action, you gain truesight to a range of 120 feet until the beginning of your next turn. 
• The Stone. As a bonus action, you gain immunity to all damage types except for force and psychic damage until the beginning of your next turn. If you expend ki points to use this feature again before you finish a long rest, you must expend 6 ki points instead of 3. 
• The Wind. As a bonus action, you magically enhance your movement this round. For every 10 feet you move, you can magically teleport 30 feet to a place you can see. You retain this ability until the beginning of your next turn. 

Eightfold Master

• At 17th level, the token of your spiritual journey melds into your body, becoming a unique, stylized tattoo, as your mind stretches beyond the limitations of paths to begin the final steps toward true enlightenment. At the end of a long rest, you can choose a total of two of the paths described in this subclass, enabling you to use the Initiate’s Insight and Disciple’s Discovery features as though you are a member of both paths. You can choose the path you originally selected plus a new one, or you can choose two new paths, abandoning your old path. Each time you finish a long rest you can choose the same paths or new ones. 

Way of Eminence [Monk]

The state of Eminence. Those who master it can project their will to every nearby mind. Through thought alone, the monks can sway a person’s emotions, move objects, or even warp reality around themselves. If necessary, they can even kill. Yet violence of any kind is always a last resort. The monks do not see their Eminence as a weapon, but as a means of spreading enlightenment and peace across the world. For years, they study history, philosophy, art, and, most importantly, themselves. They look within and without to gain wisdom and perspective. They nurture a deep empathy for all cultures and beliefs. By taking this journey of studious learning and quiet reflection, some of them reach the enlightened state of pure bliss. 

Sphere of Eminence

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you project an intense aura in a 5 ft. diameter. The size of your Sphere of Eminence increases to 10 ft. at 6th level, to 15 ft. at 11th level, and again to 20 ft. at 17th level.
  
  Your Sphere of Eminence can be turned on or off with a bonus action and provides the following benefits while active: 
  • You know the location of all creatures within your Sphere of Eminence. 
  • You have Advantage on Wisdom checks caused by any creature within your Sphere of Eminence. 
  • You can use your reaction to increase your AC +2 when you are attacked by a creature that is within your Sphere of Eminence.

Presence

• Starting at 6th level, you can spend 1 ki when your next melee attack hits a creature to deal damage equal to your Martial Arts die. The creature must then make a Strength save against your ki save DC. If they fail, they are knocked back 5 ft. outside of your Sphere of Eminence. You can spend an additional amount of ki points before the saving throw is made to increase the distance of the knock back by 5 ft. per ki point spent.
  
  Additionally, you can spend 2 ki points as a bonus action to force a creature within your Sphere of Eminence to make a Strength save against your ki save DC or fall prone if they fail.

Focal Lattice

• Beginning at 11th level, when you spend ki points on Flurry of Blows, or Presence, you may spend 1 ki point to target an additional creature within your Sphere of Eminence.
  
  Additionally, as a reaction, you can spend ki points on a creature within your Sphere of Eminence that is attempting to cast a spell to interrupt that spell. The amount of ki points you must spend to interrupt a spell in this way is equal to the level of the spell being cast. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your Wisdom score. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect. This may only be used up to three times per long rest.

Veil of Thoughts

• Upon reaching 17th level, as an action, you may spend 6 ki points to make any number of creatures within your Sphere of Eminence perform a Wisdom saving throw against your ki save DC. If they fail, they are paralyzed for 3 rounds.
  
  Additionally, you can spend 2 ki points to reroll one of your die rolls. You can only reroll this dice once.

Way of the Enlightened Lotus [Monk]

Humility, kindness, atonement, teaching, and peace. All are the foundation of the Way of the Enlightened Lotus. Monks that take this path are kind strangers, mysterious mentors, or even wandering storytellers. They may not be ones to start a fight against evil, but will never let aggressors go unchallenged if they, their allies, or the innocent are in harm's way.

When choosing this monastic tradition, take time to understand why your monk would follow this path. Are they kind or strict? Are they driven by compassion or fear? Do they teach and help others for their own benefit or to stop there students from following a path to darkness?

Universal Kindness

• Starting at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in two extra skills of your choice from Animal Handling, History, Insight, Nature, Performance, or Persuasion; and you gain proficiency with brewer's supplies, cook's utensils, and any one musical instrument (your choice).
  
  Additionally, you learn the guidance cantrip if you don't already know it.

Ignite Heroism

• Also at 3rd level, when you roll for initiative, you can spend 1 ki point to treat your roll on the d20 as a 1. Once you do so, up to five willing creatures of your choice that are within 60 feet of you can treat their initiative roll as a 10. You and any target of this feature can still add any bonuses you have to initiative rolls.
  
  Additionally, when you do so, you can choose one target and give them the benefits of the Dodge action until the end of your next turn.

Counseling Wisdom

• Starting at 6th level, during a short rest or an hour of a long rest, you teach up to one willing creature something you know. After that short rest or 1 hour, the target gains proficiency in one weapon, tool, or skill that you are proficient with (the target's choice) for 24 hours.
  
  You cannot target yourself with this feature, and you can only have one creature benefit from it at a time. If you use this feature on the same target over the course of 7 days and grant it the same proficiency, it becomes permanent.

Easing Voice

• Also at 6th level, you can expend up to a number of ki points equal to your proficiency bonus to cast either the healing word or calm emotions spell, the level of which is equal to 1 + the number of ki points spent. Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Wisdom, and you can also cast them normally with any spell slots you might have.

Anger of a Tranquil Soul

• At 11th level, if you see a hostile creature within 60 feet of you reduce an ally to 0 hit points or score a critical hit against an ally, you can expend half of your movement speed to move within 5 feet of the hostile creature and make two unarmed strikes against it. This movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks, and these unarmed strikes have a bonus to their damage rolls equal to half of your monk level (rounded up).
  
  

Master of All

• At 17th level, your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with a skill or tool you are proficient with.
  
  Additionally, you no longer need to expend ki points to use your Ignite Heroism or Easing Voice features. The level of a spell for Easing Voice is always 7th level.
  
  Finally, choose one of the following: you gain a feat of your choice or gain an additional attunement slot.

Way of the Eternally Surprised [Monk]

The monks of the Way of the Eternally Surprised are better known as the History Monks. They have the responsibility of observing significant events so that they become history, instead of just things happening. They also have responsibility to see history follow the right track. They frequently need to wander the world to take a more direct hand in events. To do this, they have a number of methods for moving and storing time.

Time Manipulation

• You can use your ki to change the flow of time for yourself or another creature. You can use an action to cast following spells on one creature of your choice, by spending appropriate number of ki points, without providing material components: 1 ki: longstrider, zephyr strike; 2 ki: slow. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast haste spell by spending 3 ki points. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Time Slicing

• Starting at 6th level, you gain the ability to move in smaller and smaller fractions of time than the time which is being experienced by everyone around you. On each of your turns you can use a bonus action to move up to twice your unarmored movement bonus without provoking opportunity attacks. 

Déjà fu

• By 11th level, you have mastered Déjà fu, the martial art that allows practitioner to travel in time as well as space. You can go back in time and hit your opponent with a series of punches. From the opponent's point of view, the practitioner is standing motionless in front of him, but he feels the effects from the past attacks.

Time Stop

• At 17th level, you can cast time stop spell. You may interact and attack other creatures without dropping the spell, but all effects (damage, conditions etc.) are applied after the spell ends. Saving throws against your abilities are also made when the spell ends, and if the creature is subjected to more than one instance of particular effect, it has disadvantage on the saving throw instead of rolling the separate save for each instance.

Way of the Flesh [Monk]

The ascetics say your body is a trap, poisoning you with its needs. The mystics say it is a prison, to be transcended with meditation. They are wrong. Your body is meat. In all its frailty, and all its glory, and all its horror.

A dwarf swings through the streets of a desert city, limbs stretching impossibly as she grabs the edges of rooftops before flinging herself forward at bone-breaking velocity. A dragonborn snaps a guard’s neck and, as he lowers the corpse, assumes his victim’s face, form, and voice. Flesh sloughs from the body of a human, their very being unraveling before they reform as an elf with long, scythe-like limbs that lash out at enemies in every direction, unleashing a maelstrom of gore.

This is the Way of the Flesh. Some adherents start down this path after becoming afflicted with disease, poisoned by alchemical concoctions, or suffering from aberrant parasites. They discover the Way of the Flesh as a method for survival in a hostile body. Other practitioners are philosophers, musing on the relationship between self and body and how deeply the mind can warp its housings. As a disciple becomes more skilled in this tradition, the distinction between their flesh and that of their victims blurs; the adherent’s true body becomes an amorphous mass, optimized for mobility and violence.

Shape the Flesh

• At 3rd level, you unlock the first secrets of the Way of the Flesh. You sprout lethal pseudopods, capable of ripping apart your foes and pulling you across your environment. The reach of your unarmed strikes increases to 10 feet. This reach increases to 15 feet at 11th level and 20 feet at 17th level. You can use these pseudopods to grapple other creatures, but they don’t increase the number of creatures you can grapple and they can’t wield weapons, shields, or spellcasting foci. Creatures you grapple can make melee attacks against you no matter how far away you are.
  
  Additionally, you can spend 1 ki point on your turn to make your limbs stronger and more flexible for 10 minutes (no action required). For the duration, you can use the Dexterity (Acrobatics) skill instead of Strength (Athletics) when you attempt to grapple or maintain a grapple. In addition, when you take the Attack action, you can forgo one attack to grab a Medium or larger object within reach of your unarmed strike and pull yourself to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the object. This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.

Mind is Matter

• At 6th level, you learn the second secret of the Way of the Flesh—that all people are meat, and that the only thing separating your identity from others is that they aren’t part of you yet. When you reduce a Humanoid within your reach to 0 hit points, or use an action to handle a Humanoid’s corpse, you can absorb a sample of its flesh. You can hold a number of samples equal to your proficiency bonus, though you can only ever collect one sample from any given Humanoid. If you gain a sample while you have the maximum number of samples, you replace an existing sample of your choice.
  
  While you have a sample, you can spend 1 ki point to take either of the following actions: 
  • Impersonate. You consume your sample to take on the form of the sampled creature for 1 hour or until you end your transformation as a bonus action. You make yourself—including your clothing, armor, weap- ons, and other belongings on your person—look like the creature. Your statistics remain the same, except for your size, which changes to match the creature’s size. While disguised in this manner, you can use the Wisdom (Insight) skill instead of Charisma (Deception or Performance) to impersonate the creature. When the transformation ends, the sample is destroyed. 
  • Interrogate. You rip memories from the absorbed creature. After performing this action, you have 10 minutes to ask one question of the creature’s flesh, and it responds as if it were an intact corpse and you had cast speak with dead on it, except that the answers are thor- ough, and the creature can’t lie to you or withhold information. After answering the question, the sample is destroyed.

Free the Flesh

• At 11th level, you shed more of your body’s limitations, your bones snapping and melting away as you become a creature of unrestrained, violent movement. As a bonus action, you gain the following benefits for 10 minutes: 
  • Whenever you successfully grapple another creature, you can pull your target into an unoccupied space within 5 feet of you or pull yourself to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the target.
  • You can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. 
  • Moving through difficult terrain costs you no extra movement, and spells and other magical effects can’t reduce your speed or make you paralyzed or restrained. 
  • You can spend 5 feet of movement to automatically escape from nonmagical restraints, such as manacles or a creature that has you grappled. 
  • You have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed. 

Charnel Apotheosis

• At 17th level, you understand that your body is just a collection of mass you can unravel and knit together with a moment’s thought. As an action, you can spend 5 ki points to dissolve into a pool of flesh and reform, teleporting to an unoccupied space that you can see within 30 feet of you. After you reform, all creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 5d10 slashing damage and is pushed five feet away from you and knocked prone. On a success, a creature takes half as much damage and isn’t pushed or knocked prone. Damage from this feature is considered magical for the purpose of overcoming immunity and resistance to nonmagical attacks.

Way of the Flowing River [Monk]

The Way of the Flying Fist teaches that true martial power is found in the air, when one escapes from the pull of gravity. These monks train their bodies to leap great heights, channel that power into their strikes, and even pursue the ancient techniques that enable them to fly through the air.

Dancing Monk

• When you adopt this Monastic Tradition you learn to move with a delicate grace rarely found among warriors. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance. Whenever you make an Acrobatics or Performance check, you can treat a roll of 7 or lower on the d20 as an 8. 

Flowing River Stance

• You have learned to utilize signature defensive stance of your Tradition. Starting at 3rd level, you can use an action to enter the Flowing River Stance, which lasts until the start of your next turn. While you are in this stance, you have a number of additional reactions equal to your proficiency bonus.
  
  When a creature misses you with a melee attack while in your Flowing River Stance, you can use your reaction to force it to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it falls prone and its speed is reduced to 0 until the start of your next turn.

Graceful Step

• You can move about the battlefield and skirt incoming blows with the gentle grace of a stream. Beginning at 6th level, you can use Step of the Wind without expending ki points.
  
  Additionally, when you enter your Flowing River Stance, you can use Patient Defense without expending ki points.

Enchanting Flow

• Starting at 11th level, you can expend 2 ki points when you enter your Flowing River Stance to allure the foes around you. For the duration of that Stance, any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of you has disadvantage on attacks against creatures other than you until the end of their turn.

Wrath of the Flowing River

• Sometimes even the gentle stream runs with the waters of a flood. At 17th level, when a creature misses you with a melee attack while in your Flowing River Stance, you can force it to make a Strength saving throw as a reaction. On a failure, it is knocked back a number of feet depending on its size:
  • Size - Feet
    Tiny - 60
    Small - 40
    Medium - 30
    Large - 20
    Huge - 15
    Gargantuan - 10

Acrobats, Dancers, and Performers

Way of the Flying Fist [Monk]

The Way of the Flying Fist teaches that true martial power is found in the air, when one escapes from the pull of gravity. These monks train their bodies to leap great heights, channel that power into their strikes, and even pursue the ancient techniques that enable them to fly through the air.

Leaping Strike

• Starting at 3rd level, you can channel the force of your mighty leaps into your attacks. When you spend a ki point to use the Step of the Wind feature, your jump distance is tripled instead of doubled.
  
  When you use the Step of the Wind feature and jump or fly at least 10 feet toward a target, you can change the first attack you make against it at the end of the movement into a leaping strike. On a hit, the attack deals bonus damage equal to two of your Martial Arts dice + twice your Dexterity modifier, and you can choose to spend 1 extra ki point. If you do, the target must make a Strength saving throw, falling prone on a failure. You only can use this feature with a monk weapon or an unarmed strike, and you can only do so once per turn.

Carrying the Team

• Also at 3rd level, you can grapple a willing creature without making an attack, an ability check, or using an action, and when you spend a ki point to use the Step of the Wind feature, you can carry a creature you are grappling your full speed instead of half your speed.

Interception

• Starting at 6th level, you can intercept a foe when they move. When a creature moves within 15 feet of you, you can spend 1 ki point and use your reaction to jump ( or fly if you have a flying speed) up to 15 feet to a space adjacent to them. If you do, you make an unarmed attack against the creature immediately at the end o( the movement. If you hit, the creature's speed becomes 0 for the rest of the turn. 

Fleet of Foot

• Starting at 11th level, you have advantage on saving throws and ability checks to avoid or escape a grapple or to avoid becoming restrained, and you never require more than 5 feet of movement to stand up when prone.
  
  Difficult terrain never costs you more than 2 feet of speed for every 1 feet of movement, and when you spend a ki point to use the Step of the Wind feature, you ignore difficult terrain until the end of your turn.
  
  Finally, you can move through enemy spaces on any turn you have dashed, dodged, or disengaged, but you can't end your turn there.

Empty and Become Wind

• Starting at 17th level, you have mastered the Flying Fist's ultimate art: becoming weightless and walking on air itself. You have a base flying speed of 60 feet and you can hover. The bonus damage of your Leaping Strike also increases to four of your Martial Arts dice + twice your Dexterity modifier.

Way of the Four Fists [Monk]

Through the careful manipulation of their ki, monks of the Way of the Four Fists strive to emulate the unusual fighting style of the legendary Monkey King. As they progress in their training, these monks undergo a magical transformation, slowly gaining more simian features. In combat, a master of this monastic tradition is a whirling, leaping blur of elbows, fur, and fists.

Grasp of the Monkey

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you undergo a permanent magical transformation, lengthening your fingers and toes, strengthening your arms and legs, and sprouting a tail. You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, your jumping distance is doubled, and you have advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to climb, maintain your balance, and grip objects such as ledges or ropes. You can hold and manipulate objects and weapons with your hands, feet, and tail, but you can’t make attacks with weapons held by your tail.

Simian Swift

• Also at 3rd level, whenever you roll initiative and aren’t surprised, you can spend 1 ki point to move up to half your speed or jump into the air, and then make one unarmed strike.

Nimbus

• At 6th level, you can use your bonus action to summon a cloud to ride upon. Until the start of your next turn, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. When you begin your turn, you can maintain this effect by spending 1 ki point. Otherwise, if you begin your turn and have nothing holding you aloft, you fall.

Uncanny Dodge

• Starting at 11th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack’s damage against you.

Flurry of Limbs

• At 17th level, by walking on your hands and twirling erratically, you can fight with your feet as nimbly as you do with your fists. You make three unarmed strikes, rather than two, when you use Flurry of Blows on your turn.

Way of Gravitation [Monk]

Monks of the Way of the Gravitation harness the very power of gravity. They have meditated on this natural force to be able to tap their ki into it and alter gravitation around them. They often see gravity not only as a force of nature, but as an extension of their arts. 

Gravity Fists

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your blows are so heavy that they reform gravity around them. You gain the following benefits to your Flurry of Blows:
  • Whenever you hit two different creatures with the unarmed strikes granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can create a gravitational pull between the two creatures. Until the end of your next turn, the creatures can't willingly move while more than 20 feet away from each other, unless they are moving closer together.
  • Whenever you hit the same creature with both of the unarmed strikes granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can create a vortex of high gravity within it, halving its speed until the end of your next turn.

Light Acrobatics

• Also at 3rd level, you gain the ability to reduce your own gravity. When you're prone, you can stand up by spending 5 feet of movement, rather than half your speed. 

Fluctuate

• At 6th level, you gain the following abilities:
  • Catch. You can spend 1 ki point to cast feather fall without providing material components.
  • Heavy Stance. As a reaction to being forcibly moved, you can increase your gravity and not be moved instead.
  • Light as a Feather. You can spend 2 ki points to gain a 10 feet walking speed increase for 1 minute. 

Low Gravity

• At 11th level, when you use your Step of the Wind feature, you gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed until the end of your turn.
  
  In addition, when you affect a creature with your Gravity Fists feature, it takes force damage equal to your Martial Arts die.

Plummet

• Beginning at 17th level, once per turn, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 3 ki points to attempt to change the creature's gravitational pull. If the creature is somehow anchored to the ground or the other surface, this ability has no effect on it. Otherwise, the creature's gravity is changed and it begins to fall in any direction of your choice.
  
  The creature must make a Strength saving throw against your Ki save DC. On a failed save, the creature falls up to 60 feet in the chosen direction. On a successful save, it falls up to 30 feet in the chosen direction. In either case, if a solid object is encountered in this fall, the creature strikes it just as it would during a normal downward fall. The creature's gravity returns to normal after the fall or after it collides with anything.
  
  Alternatively, as a bonus action, you can spend 4 ki points to attempt the creature to 'plummet' towards you. If the creature is somehow anchored to the ground or the other surface, this ability has no effect on it. Otherwise, the creature 'plummets' toward you. The creature must make a Strength saving throw against your Ki save DC. On a failed save, the creature 'plummets' toward you. On a successful save, it 'plummets' halfway towards you.

Way of the Golden Hand [Monk]

The Way of the Golden Hand teaches its students how to harness the powers of the Golden King — a cursed entity that can turn anything it touches into gold. It's not uncommon for these monks to serve as assassins thanks to their ability to dispose of the victim's body safely. The monasteries that train these monks are usually places of commerce, teaching the basic principles of economy and scarcity.

Golden Punch

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you take on the Golden King's curse and it begins to develop.
  
  Whenever you hit a creature with one of the attacks granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can choose to halve its speed (rounds up) until the start of your next turn. If you hit the same creature with both of the attacks granted by your Flurry of Blows, its speed is instead reduced to 0 until the start of your next turn.
  
  When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with an unarmed strike, you can choose to force its body to burst into a number of gold pieces equal to 10 × the total amount of Hit Die of the target. Any object the creature was holding, wearing or carrying is unaffected, and falls to the ground in the space it occupied. After you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
  
  Additionally, you can discern real gold from an imitation or similar substance without making an ability check.

Aureate Scent

• At 6th level, you gain an ability to pinpoint by scent the location of gold within 30 feet of you. Due to this, as long as you can smell, you are aware of the location of any hidden or invisible creatures and objects within the radius, as long as they wear, wield, or carry something made out of gold.
  
  Additionally, you can focus your powers on your speech by spending 1 ki point, gaining advantage on the first Charisma check you make within the next minute.

Gilded Gift

• When you reach 11th level, over the course of 1 minute and to a range of 30 feet, you can expend 1 ki point for a Tiny inorganic nonmagical object to transform the material this object is made out of into gold. For each size category above Tiny, the amount of ki points you need to expend doubles. The object's value is increased by an amount of gold pieces equal to your monk level. If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the effect.
  
  If the object you affect using this ability is a set of armor, the armor provides no benefits. If the affected object is a weapon, all damage dealt with this weapon is halved.
  
  Additionally, you are immune to the petrified condition.

Precious Sculpture

• At 17th level, you gain the most infamous ability of the Golden King. You can use your action to expend 5 ki points and cast flesh to stone without expending a spell slot. When you cast the spell this way, its range is touch, and the target turns into a golden statue that's worth an amount of gold pieces equal to its hit points maximum.

Way of the Hummingbird [Monk]

The motto of monks of the Way of the Hummingbird is that even water can cut through rock if it moves fast enough. Masters of this discipline teach how to enhance the mind such that the world around you slows. Practitioners of this discipline are some of the fastest non-magical creatures to exist.

Reflexive Counter

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your quick mind and study of your foe allows you to use their failure to your advantage. If a creature misses you with an attack, you can immediately use your reaction to make an unarmed melee attack against that creature.
  
  In addition, being surprised no longer prevents you from using your reaction.

Grace of the Hummingbird

• Also at 3rd level, your speed increases by 10 ft. You gain an additional 5 ft. of movement at level 10 and 18.
  
  Additionally, the inner power infusing your reflexes augments your nimbleness and makes it harder to hit you. When a creature you can see misses you with an attack, the next attack against you before the start of your next turn is made with disadvantage. This can happen only once each turn. If you spend 2 ki points when a creature you can see misses you with an attack, you can take the Dodge action as a reaction instead. You can’t benefit from this feature if your speed is 0.

Eyes of the Hummingbird

• At 6th level, your awareness and reflexes have become honed to the point that the world seems slower to you. Once per turn, if you have already taken your reaction, you may spend 1 ki point to take an additional reaction. you can only use one reaction per trigger. 

Wings of the Hummingbird

• At 11th level, you can attack three times, instead of twice when you take the attack action.
  
  Additionally, when you take no damage after succeeding on a Dexterity saving throw as a result of the Evasion monk class feature, you can use your reaction to move up to half your speed toward the source of the effect, such as the dragon or spellcaster that exhaled the lightning or cast the fireball that you avoided. If you end this movement within 5 feet of the source, you can spend 3 ki points to make one unarmed strike against it.

Blur of the Opal Step

• Beginning at 17th level, you gain the ability to expend 4 ki points to cast the haste spell (only on yourself), without requiring verbal, somatic, or material components. When you cast haste this way, you can cast it as a bonus action, it does not require concentration, and your jump distance is tripled for the duration.

Way of the Kidney Punch [Monk]

There exists a monastic path centered around a controversial belief. These monks hold that the road to perfection is stifled by dusty texts and the half-remembered mumblings of dead masters. There exists another Way, splintered from the centuries of wisdom held in reputable monasteries. Their open hands are closed, one around a bottle of cheap booze and the other around the collar of a naysayer. When you strip away the spiritualism and false serenity of meditation, they say, a monk is born to become the master of a single pursuit: Winning fights.

Kidney Punch

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to shock an enemy’s system with ki, leaving them gasping for breath. When you hit another creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to attempt a Kidney Punch. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target suffers one level of exhaustion.
  
  Additionally, you have been hit in the kidney as many times as you could remember. Your hit point maximum increases by 3, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level in this class.

Cheap Shot

• At 6th level, you’ve been in enough fights to know how to fall away from an enemy’s attack and into a position to break fingers. As a reaction to being hit with a melee attack, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Monk level.
  
  If you reduce the damage to 0, you can exploit their overextension and spend 1 ki point to make an unarmed strike against the attacker, as part of the same reaction. On a hit, if the attacker used a weapon, it must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or drop the weapon in the nearest unoccupied space 15 feet away.

Run Them Ragged

• At 11th level, the spiritual aspects of your monastic training focused on making the most of every opening, and you have put this lesson into practice with unsettling ferocity. You can attempt a Kidney Punch without spending ki when you hit a creature with the first unarmed strike granted by your Flurry of Blows.

Gutter Master

• At 17th level, you have achieved an enlightened understanding of using your body for unfair fighting. Your fists move as fast as your ejections from the bars you frequent. When you take the Attack action, you can spend some of your ki to continue attacking. For every 3 ki points spent in this way, make an additional unarmed strike.

Way of the Living Weapon [Monk]

A monk following the Way of the Living Weapon pursues physical perfection, honing their body as a smith sharpens a sword. Its traditions are drawn from cultures of shapeshifters and creatures who fight with tooth and claw. These are a few of the martial techniques that have evolved into the Way of the Living Weapon. 

• The Forged Heart is a recent path, developed by warforged exploring the potential of their constructed frames. This involves both the physical evolution of the body and harnessing the strength of steel and stone. 

• The Nightmare Shroud is a kalashtar tradition. Rather than physically transforming, nightmare monks generate ectoplasmic projections, manifesting claws of shadow. Blending physical blows with psychic attacks, they strike fear into the mind of their enemies. A kalashtar typically surrounds themselves with the image of their quori spirit, but the shroud can take any shape. 

• The Traveler’s Blade was developed by tribal changelings, providing the practitioner with versatile weapons that can’t be taken away. A practitioner can grow bone blades or knuckle ridges, or stretch their limbs to strike a distant foe. 

• The Clawguard techniques were developed by lizardon champions of Xord, honing the natural weapons and strengths of the lizardon.

Fists of Bone and Steel

• At 3rd level, when you choose this tradition, your Martial Arts damage die increases for unarmed strikes. You can roll a d6 in place of the normal damage for your unarmed strike. This die changes to a d8 at 5th level; a d10 at 11th level; and a d12 at 17th level. This increased damage can only be applied to an unarmed strike, and not to a monk weapon.

Martial Discipline

• Starting at 3rd level, when you adopt this tradition, choose a discipline and gain its feature. 
  • Forged Heart. Your unarmed strikes are considered adamantine weapons. In addition, when you hit a creature with an unarmed attack, you can spend 1 ki point to cause it to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d6 additional damage of the same type as the unarmed strike and can be pushed up to 15 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature only takes 1d6 points of additional damage and is not pushed back. 
  • Nightmare Shroud. When you hit a creature with an unarmed attack, you can spend 1 ki point to assail it with fear, causing it to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 1d6 points of psychic damage and becomes frightened of you until the end of your next turn. If a creature succeeds on this save, they are immune to the fear effect of this ability for 24 hours. 
  • Traveler’s Blade. Your reach extends by 5 feet. Additionally, at the start of your turn you can expend up to 4 ki points to extend your reach further. For every point of ki you spend, your reach extends by an additional 5 feet until the end of your turn. 
  • Clawguard. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an unarmed attack, you can spend 1 ki point to rend your target and inflict deep bleeding wounds. At the start of each of the creature’s turns for the next minute, it takes 1d4 points of slashing damage from this effect. The effect ends early if the creature has one or more hit points restored, if any creature uses its action to expend one use of a healer’s kit, or makes a successful Wisdom (Medicine) check with a DC equal to your ki save DC.
    
    When you reach 6th level, this slashing damage counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

Mutable Strike

• You have the power to alter your natural weapons, growing claws or reinforcing your fists. Starting at 3rd level, when you use Martial Arts to make an unarmed strike, you can choose whether you inflict slashing, bludgeoning, or piercing damage with the attack.

Manifest Blow

• Starting at 6th level, choose one of the following damage types when you finish a long rest: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, cold, lightning, necrotic, psychic, or thunder. On your turn, the first creature you hit with an unarmed strike takes an additional 1d6 points of damage of that type. If you select bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, it benefits from your Ki-Empowered Strikes class feature and counts as magical damage.
  
  Nightmare Shroud monks typically inflict psychic damage with this ability, Forged Heart monks enhance their bludgeoning damage, and Clawguard grow sharper claws. However, you can choose any damage type, regardless of your discipline(s).

Reflexive Adaptation

• Starting at 11th level, when you make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, you can spend 1 ki point to roll an additional d20. You can choose to use this ability after you roll the check, but before the outcome is determined. You choose which of the d20s is used for the ability check, omitting the highest if this check was rolled with disadvantage.
  
  In addition, the extra damage dealt by the Manifest Blow class feature increases to 2d6.

Perfect Form

• At 17th level, you transform your body to become a weapon of war. You gain a feature based on a discipline of your choice. You can choose the same discipline you selected at 3rd level or a different one. 
  • Forged Heart. When you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to add your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) to your AC, including against the triggering attack. This effect lasts until the start of your next turn. 
  • Nightmare Shroud. When you damage a creature with your Manifest Blow, excess psionic energy ripples to up to 3 different creatures of your choice within 30 feet. Those creatures take an amount of psychic damage equal to half of your monk level. 
  • Traveler’s Blade. When you deal piercing or slashing damage to a creature with an unarmed strike, it takes an additional 1d8 poison damage and must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your ki save DC or be poisoned until the end of its next turn. 
  • Clawguard. When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can make three unarmed strikes as a bonus action instead of two. You have advantage on these attacks.

Playing a Living Weapon Monk

Way of the Long Blade [Monk]

The monks of this Order are unmatched in their expertise with bladed pole weapons. Though mostly known for their choice of weaponry, their guiding philosophy is in fact one of pursuing enlightenment: They believe that one's true self can only be found in battle, where death becomes more and more certain with every passing minute. While a bit grim, I'm sure there's some truth to this. I've seen people play roles their entire lives, only to reveal their true colors once death draws near. Concepts such as friendship, loyalty, and even the pursuit of truth and logic can evaporate faster than the tears of a salamander.

Art of the Long Blade

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with glaives, halberds, and pikes, and they are monk weapons for you. In addition, if you would make one or more unarmed strikes as a bonus action, you can instead throw a weapon with the finesse and thrown properties provided you throw it no further than 15 feet. When throwing a weapon in this manner, you don't make the attack with disadvantage due to being in melee range of an enemy.

Long Blade Techniques

• Also starting at 3rd level, when you hit a creature with a monk weapon that has the reach property on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to attempt one of the following techniques. 
  • Arrowhawk Feather-Blossom. Using your bonus action, you create a momentary circle of spectral blades that sweep around you. Each creature within your reach must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw against this magic or take force damage equal to your Martial Arts die. 
  • Iron Cobra Stance. You focus your will on your surroundings. If a creature makes a melee weapon attack against you before the start of your next turn, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against it, using a monk weapon with the reach property. 
  • Steel Scorpion Thrust. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or become grappled until the start of your next turn as it is impaled by your weapon. The target can use its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check against your Ki save DC, ending the grappled condition on a successful check. The effect also ends early if you attack with the weapon before the start of your next turn or if you move to a space where the weapon can no longer reach the target.

Pole-Vault

• Starting at 6th level, when you take the attack action on your turn to attack with a monk weapon that has the reach property, you can vault up to 15 feet, spending movement as normal. When vaulting in this manner, you don't provoke opportunity attacks and you can move over Large or smaller creatures. The maximum number of feet you can vault in this manner increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Unarmored Movement column of the monk table.
  
  In addition, you make Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks with advantage while you wield a monk weapon with the reach property.

Ki Parry

• Starting at 11th level, when you are hit by a melee attack and you can see the attacker, you can spend 1 Ki point as a reaction to roll your Martial Arts die and add it to your AC against the triggering attack, provided that you are wielding a monk weapon. If you use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack with your Iron Cobra Stance, you can use this feature as part of the same reaction without spending Ki points.

Long Blade Master

• Beginning at 17th level, your long blade has truly become an extension of yourself, allowing you to lean into your strikes. While wielding a monk weapon with the reach property, your reach increases by 5 feet.
  
  Additionally, you learn to do the Steel Maelstrom.
  
  Steel Maelstrom. you learn to spin your long blade with incredible speed, protecting you from all sides. Using an action, you begin to spin a monk weapon with the reach property, even spinning it around your own body. Until the start of your next turn, your movement is halved, your AC increases by an amount equal to your Dexterity modifier, and the first time on a turn that a creature comes within 10 feet of you or starts its turn there, it takes weapon damage equal to your Martial Arts die.

Way of the Moon [Monk]

Monks of the Way of the Moon follow an ancient tradition, one in which that studies the cycles of the moon. These monks often adorn themselves with tattoos of lunar symbols and moons, and believe that just as the moon changes form, so must they. Sometimes the members of a monastery of these monks are religious leaders or guardians of the night and all creatures that thrive within it. Other monasteries might focus on understanding the moon's effects on the world, such as with madness, lycanthropy, or the shaping of the tides. Some of these monks might even be mad hermits, obsessed with the moon and basking in its glory.

Regardless of what their primary focus is, monk of this tradition learn how to best operate in the dark, develop unique abilities inspired by the phases of the moon, and can see through darkness and illusions.

Moon Soul

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Nature skill, if you don't already have it. You also gain darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. If you already have darkvision from your race, its range increases by 30 feet.

Lunar Arts

• Beginning at 3rd level, you have unlocked special ki techniques that are influenced by the moon. As an action, you can spend a number of ki points to perform one of the following abilities. If the ability allows you to cast a spell, you cast it without requiring material components.
  • Full Moon. You can spend 2 ki points to cast the moonbeam spell. This spell ends if you use any other option granted by this feature.
    
    You can spend additional ki points to cast moonbeam as a higher-level spell. Each additional ki point you spend increases the spell's level by 1. The maximum number of ki points (2 plus any additional points) that you can spend on the spell equals half your monk level.
  • Crescent Moon. You can spend 1 ki point to make one unarmed strike each against any number of creatures within 5 feet of you. When you hit a creature with one of these unarmed strikes, the attack deals radiant damage instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
  • New Moon. You can spend 2 ki points to cast the invisibility spell. When you do, the spell has a range of Self.

Celestial Resilience

• At 6th level, the magic of the moon flows through you, granting you the following benefits:
  • Luminous Body. You gain resistance to radiant damage.
  • Moonstruck. You can cause others to fall under your lunar spell. As an action, you can force creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you that can see to succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed of you until the end of your next turn. Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a short rest.

Brilliant Serenity

• At 11th level, your connection to the moon has made you become a calming presence to allies. When you use your Stillness of Mind feature, you can also choose to end one short or long-term madness you are suffering from in place of the charmed or frightened conditions. Additional, you can choose a creature within 5 feet of you that is charmed, frightened, or suffering from a madness effect, ending one of those conditions on it instead of yourself. 

Lunar Beam

• At 17th level, you can channel ki into a blast of lunar power. As an action, you can spend 4 ki points to project a beam of light at one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded for 1 minute. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and is not blinded. A blinded target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Shapechangers have disadvantage on this saving throw.
  
  You can increase this effect's damage by 1d8 per each additional ki point spent on it.

Way of Pain [Monk]

You follow a monastic tradition that focuses on the one and only thing that is real in life: pain. It is there from the first breath you take as a newborn to your last moments among the living. Suffering is what all the worlds revolve around. As a monk of the Way of Pain, you know the necessity of suffering, as well as the power it grants those who know how to use it. You train yourself to bear it and inflict it upon others for the sake of enlightenment or domination.

Ki of Pain

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can channel your pain to ki. When you take at least 10 damage in one round, you regain one ki point at the end of the round. Starting at 6th level, when you take at least 20 damage in one round, you regain two ki points at the end of the round. Starting at 11th level, when you take at least 30 damage in one round, you regain three ki points at the end of the round. And starting at 17th level, when you take at least 40 damage in one round, you regain four ki points at the end of the round. These regains of ki points do not stack.

Mantra of Pain

• Your way of meditation involves suffering and pain in order to focus your mind. You meditate by causing yourself some kind of pain or discomfort. Starting at 6th level, you can use your pain to come back to your senses from distractions. You gain the following features: 
  • Clarity of Pain. Whenever you take damage while under the effect of a mind-altering condition such as frightened or charmed, you can use your reaction to make the relevant saving throw with advantage to become immune to that effect for a number of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum one). 
  • Adrenaline. Whenever you take 20 or more damage from a single attack, instead of applying your Ki of Pain feature, you can spend 1 ki point as a reaction to take an additional action, make an attack, or move up to your speed (which does not count against your movement for that turn). When you use this feature, you cannot use your Ki of Pain feature for the remainder of that round.

Spreading Pain

• Pain is your ally, it is the anchor of your nature and self-awareness. Moreover, it is also the weapon that you use against your foes. Starting at 11th level, you can spend ki points to make extraordinarily painful attacks. Whenever you make an attack, you can spend ki points and cause one of the following effects of your choice: 
  • Debilitating Pain. You can spend 2 ki points to cause your target to writhe in debilitating agony. If your target has any legendary actions, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or cannot use its legendary actions in that round. If it does not have legendary actions, it loses one attack from its next Multiattack or Extra Attack features. 
  • Mind-Breaking Pain. You can spend 2 ki points to cause your target to lose its grip on its mind. Your target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or lose its concentration on a spell. If it is not concentrating on a spell, it cannot cast a spell until the end of its next turn. If it is not a spellcaster, it has disadvantage on its Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws until the end of its next turn.

Mastery of Pain

• At 17th level, through the sheer pain that you have suffered so far, you become its master. Thanks to your familiarity with pain, you gain resistance to one type of damage of your choice. 
  • Resist Pain. Whenever you take damage, you can spend 4 ki points as a reaction and apply resistance to the damage you take. If you do so, you cannot use your Ki of Pain feature for that damage. 
  • Pure Pain. You can convert pain to pure ki. If your hit points are below maximum, you can choose not to regain part or all of your hit points after you finish a long rest. If you do so, for a number of hours equal to your proficiency bonus plus your Wisdom modifier, you gain ki points equal to the number of hit points you choose not to regain (maximum 10 ki points).
    
    While you continue to feel the pain resulting from your lost hit points, your hit point maximum is reduced by the same amount unless you unleash your reserve. You can unleash the pain that you hold within through this feature onto another creature if you hit it with unarmed or weapon attack. Or, you can simply let the pain go, and undo the decrease on your hit point maximum by doing so.
    
    When you unleash the pain onto another creature with an attack, the creature must make a Constitution saving throw, taking psychic damage equal to the amount decreased from your hit point maximum on a failed save, or half of it on a successful one. This damage ignores resistance and immunity.

Way of the Pilgrims [Monk]

You are a pilgrim monk. You are among the most committed people to ever walk the earth.

A sacred search. Yours is a life dedicated to a sacred search. Whether you seek holy grounds, an ancient statue, or a field kept sacred by your ancestors, what you are really after is a sense of inner peace. You must determine what you are searching for. It might be a place, a landmark, or even a concept such as justice or love. Discuss it with your GM to decide on what would best suit the campaign and your character.

A sacred oath. You are a pilgrim in search of something most important, most valuable, and most sacred to you. You thus hold yourself up to an oath you’ve made yourself take; you shall find what you’re looking for or perish on the way.

The Traveler

• When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you commit your life to finding what you seek, and to wander where you may until you do. Your body thus adapts to the harshest of conditions. You gain proficiency in Constitution saving throws.
  
  You can also choose to have advantage on a Constitution check. You can use this feature thrice, and regain any expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Sanctified Body

• Starting at 3rd level, your holy pilgrimage is blessed by the divine. When you hit a creature using the Flurry of Blows feature, you can spend 1 additional ki point to deafen or blind the target. The target is deafened or blinded (one of your choice) until the end of its next turn.
  
  In addition, if both attacks of the Flurry of Blows hit, the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your ki save DC or be stunned until the end of its next turn.

Aura of the Blessed 

• Starting at 6th level, you emanate an invisible holy aura in a 30-foot radius centered on you. Your aura provides your allies with relief. The aura can be detected by the Divine Sense feature, the detect evil and good spell, and truesight.
  
  Your allies have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and frightened.

Aura of the Anointed

• Starting at 11th level, your Aura of the Blessed grows in strength.
  
  Any spell or magical effect that heals an ally is more effective within your aura, which allows your allies to regain a number of extra hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier.
  
  In addition, you and your allies within the aura have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Aura of the Pilgrim

• When you reach 17th level, unless you take a hostile action against a target, you emanate a holy aura that keeps the creatures within 30 feet of you calm. If you take a hostile action, the aura disappears, and reappears at the start of your next turn.
  
  Each creature within the aura must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC equals 8 + your Monk level) before attacking or casting a harmful spell. On a failed save, creatures cannot attack. On a successful save, they can attack normally.

Way of Pride [Monk]

Monks of the Way of Pride value themselves above all others. These monks focus on mastering their form, ego, and destructive power. They use their monastic traditions publicly, with the intention of gaining the respect and admiration of “lesser beings.”

The prideful traditions of this order include adorning oneself with jewelry, hiding their scars from prying eyes, and commanding respect from those that would oppose them.

Tall Tales

• At 3rd level, you have gained a knack for telling embellished tales of your past achievements. You gain proficiency in your choice of one of the following skills: Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion.

Bruised Ego

• At 3rd level, your ego bolsters your vitality, strengthening as you fight to prove your vigor. Whenever you expend a ki point, you can also choose to gain temporary hit points equal to your Proficiency Bonus. While your current hit points are equal to or less than half your maximum hit points, you can also add your Wisdom modifier to the amount of temporary hit points gained.

Assertive Attacker

• At 3rd level, while your current hit points are equal to or less than half your maximum hit points, your Martial Arts die counts as being one higher than normal.
  
  For example, if you are a 6th-level monk, your Martial Arts die goes from a d6 to a d8. At 17th level and higher you Martial Arts die goes from a d10 to a d12.

Irrational Retaliation

• Beginning at 6th level, damage dealt to you is damage dealt to your pride, and that is something you simply cannot allow. Whenever a creature deals damage to you, you can use your reaction to expend 2 ki points to target that creature. Until the end of your next turn, all attacks you make against the target creature have advantage.

Redoubled Efforts

• Additionally at 6th level, while your current hit points are equal to or less than half your maximum hit points, you can roll one additional Martial Arts die when determining the extra damage dealt by a critical hit.

Ever Prideful

• At 11th level, your muscle memory takes over. When your hit points are reduced to 0 you are not knocked unconscious, but you must still make death saving throws and suffer all the normal effects of taking damage while at 0 hit points. At the beginning of each of your turns whilst in this state you can spend 1 ki point to remain in this state. If you do not spend a ki point at the start of your turn whilst at 0 hit points you suffer all the normal effects of being reduced to 0 hit points. The following also apply: 
  • You cannot speak. 
  • You cannot cast or concentrate on spells. 
  • Critical hits against you in this state count as one failed death saving throw instead of 2.

Egotistical

• Beginning at 17th level, you gain the benefits of this subclass’ features that state ‘while your current hit points are equal to or less than half your maximum hit points’ whenever you are below your hit point maximum instead, provided you have been damaged by a hostile creature within the past minute.

Way of the Rose [Monk]

Even in the most adverse of conditions, a root can find a crack in stone. A vine can find its way up a wall. Monks who follow the Way of the Rose have learned to ride the waves of adversity and repel hostile forces away from themselves. These particular monks are intertwined with the rose that saps magic. With the help of the techniques of the rose, these monks keep mages in check.

Bite of the Snapdragon

• At 3rd level, by striking at specific pressure points, your touch can deal tremendous damage. Once per turn when you hit a creature with one of the attacks granted to you by your Flurry of Blows, you can deal an additional 1d10 necrotic damage. 

Petal Dance

• Also at 3rd level, you can project a burst of ki to protect yourself. You can expend 1 ki point to cast shield.

Grasp of Ivy

• At 6th level, you can use your ki to disrupt the flow of magic. You learn counterspell and dispel magic and can cast each spell once. Once you finish a long rest you regain the ability to cast both spells in this way. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for both spells.
  
  In addition, you can expend 3 ki points to cast either spell at its lowest level. When you cast either spell using this feature, its range is touch rather than 60 feet, and you can increase the level of the cast spell by 1 for each additional ki point you spend. The maximum number of ki points you can expend when casting either spell using this ability is half your Monk level (rounded up).

Lotus Spin

• At 11th level level, you can create a whirling barrier of ki which pushes away the weave.
  
  As an action, you can expend 2 ki points to create a shimmering globe of energy in a 10-foot radius around.
  
  Any spell of 1st level or lower cast from outside the barrier can’t affect you, or other creatures or objects within it, even if the spell is cast using a higher level spell slot. Such a spell can target creatures and objects within the barrier, but the spell has no effect on them. Similarly, the area within the barrier is excluded from the areas affected by such spells.
  
  By spending additional ki points when you activate this ability, you can cause the globe to block higher level spells. For each additional 2 ki points you expend, increase the level of the spells blocked by the globe by 1. The maximum number of additional ki points you can expend when you activate this ability is twice your proficiency bonus.
  
  The globe follows you as you move and lasts for 10 minutes, until you use an action to end the effect, or until you use this ability again. 

Midnight Rose

• At 17th level, you become capable of creating an eddy in the flow of time around yourself entering a moment of perfect calm.
  
  As an action, you can expend 4 ki points to momentarily stop the flow of time for everyone except yourself until the end of your turn. No time passes for other creatures, while you finish your current turn as normal.
  
  A creature frozen in time automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws, attack rolls against such a creature have advantage and any attack which hits it is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature.
  
  Time begins to flow again for a creature or object if any action you use during this period affects it or an object it is holding.
  
  When you use this ability, you can spend additional ki points to increase the duration of the effect. For every additional 3 ki points you spend when you activate the ability, you halt time for an additional round. 

Way of the Sacred Inks [Monk]

Initiates of the Sacred Inks spend years practicing celestial calligraphy. Once they are ready, the monks mark their bodies with increasingly complex celestial tattoos, granting them access to divine power. As the monk's spiritual connection to the divine grows, so does the beauty of their celestial tattoos.

Monks of this Monastic Tradition usually travel the world, supporting those who treasure beauty and kindling hope within those who have lost it. These Celestial warriors also do not hesitate to use their divine power to smite any who stand against them or their ideals.

Celestial Artist

• When you adopt this Tradition at 3rd level, you are taught the techniques of a celestial tattoo artist. You learn to speak, read, and write Celestial. Though most monks will refuse to speak in Celestial out loud out of reverence for the divine.
  
  You also gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies, and add double your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make that uses your calligrapher's supplies proficiency.

Divine Conduit

• Your Celestial tattoos allow you to channel the radiant power of the upper planes through your hands. Starting at 3rd level, you can align yourself with an aspect of the upper planes. At the end of a short or long rest, choose one of the following abilities, which lasts until the end of your next rest.
  • Divine Shield. You our sacred tattoos grant you a measure of divine protection. You can add half your proficiency bonus (rounded down) to your Unarmored Defense Armor Class. In addition, you can spend 1 ki point as a bonus action to grant yourself temporary hit points equal to your monk level.
  • Healing Touch. Your sacred tattoos can channel the gift of divine healing. When you spend a Hit Die to regain hit points your regain the maximum amount, in place of rolling. In addition, you can use your action to spend 2 ki points and touch a creature, restoring their hit points by an amount equal to 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier.
  • Radiant Strike. Your sacred tattoos channel divine wrath. When you hit with an unarmed strike or monk weapon, you can expend ki points to deal additional radiant damage to the target equal to one roll of your martial arts die per ki point. The maximum number of ki points you can expend at once is equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 ki point).

Heavenly Protection

• Upon reaching 6th level, your connection to the divine, and the complexity of your celestial tattoos has grown, allowing you to protect yourself from death. You can cast death ward, targeting only yourself, without expending a spell slot.
  
  Once you cast death ward in this way you must finish a long rest before you can cast it in this way again.

Light of the Heavens

• Your sacred tattoos can provide a glimpse of the divine. Starting at 11th level, you can cause your celestial tattoos to emit the light of the upper planes. As a bonus action, you can emit bright sunlight in a 10-foot radius. While this feature is active, you add your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) to any temporary hit points you grant, hit points you restore, or damage you deal using your Divine Conduit features.

Celestial Aspect

• You have become a master of the Sacred Inks, and the divine art that covers your body is a direct reflection of otherworldly beauty. Starting at 17th level, you can use an action to briefly assume a celestial form. For the next minute you gain the following benefits:
  • Your celestial tattoos manifest angelic wings. You gain a flying speed equal to your movement speed.
  • When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike you can choose to deal radiant in place of bludgeoning damage.
  • Your attacks deal an additional 1d6 radiant damage on hit.
  • You gain access to all three abilities from your Divine Conduit feature for the duration.

Way of the Seven Seals [Monk]

The Way of the Seven Seals mixes the martial arts skills of its initiates with the otherworldly power of the Seals themselves. At the moment of initiation, which can only take place at the hands of individuals already mastering unarmed combat, the first four spheres are implanted into the monk’s chest; from that point forward, the fusion of flesh and metal cannot be reversed. The monk will tread the known world in search of further enlightenment, in order to acquire the next spheres and advancements. 

The First Four Seals

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your life changes forever. The four spheres grafted into your chest grant you superhuman traits and spur you to claim the next three. Every sphere requires you to spend ki points each time you use it. 
  • Seal of Conquest. You have learned to cast lightning bolts from the palms of your hands. With an action, you can spend 3 ki points to cast a stroke of lightning, forming a line 50 feet long and 5 feet wide that blasts from your hands in a direction you choose. Each creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving throw against your ki DC. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d10 lightning damage and it is stunned until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and it is not stunned. The lightning ignites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried. This damage ignores resistance to lightning damage, and immunity to lightning damage counts as resistance to lightning damage for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. You can increase this lightning damage by spending ki points. The damage increases by 1d10 for each ki point you spend, up to a maximum of 6. 
  • Seal of War. You learn to ignite your body like a burning pyre. When a creature within 10 feet of you hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and spend 2 ki points to release a gout of flame from your body. The attacker must make a Dexterity saving throw against your ki DC. On a failed save, the attacker takes 1d12 fire damage and is blinded until the start of its next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and it is not blinded. This damage ignores resistance to fire damage, and immunity to fire damage counts as resistance to fire damage for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. You can increase this fire damage by spending ki points. The damage increases by 1d12 for each ki point you spend, up to a maximum of 6. 
  • Seal of Famine. When you use an Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to gather a venomous substance into your limbs and transmit its effects with a touch. If you do, for that action and the rest of your turn, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, the target must make a Constitution saving throw against your ki DC. On a failed save, it is poisoned until the start of your next turn. In addition, when you hit with such an attack, you can spend 1 ki point to inflict an additional 1d12 poison damage. This damage ignores resistance to poison damage, and immunity to poison damage counts as resistance to poison damage for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. 
  • Seal of Death. You have learned to summon the coldness of death around you, mimicking the powers of the Fourth Horseman. With an action, you can spend 3 ki points to hit the ground and spread a wave of intense cold that freezes your enemies. Every creature within 15 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw against your ki DC. On a failed save, a creature takes 3d8 cold damage and is restrained until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and it is not restrained. This damage ignores resistance to cold damage, and immunity to cold damage counts as resistance to cold damage for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. You can increase this power’s attack by spending ki points. The cold damage increases by 1d8 for each ki point you spend, up to a maximum of 6. 

Seal of Resurrection

• At 6th level, you can graft another mystical sphere into your chest, gaining the power of the fifth seal and learning the secret of the Resurrection of the Flesh. With an action, you can spend 4 ki points and touch a creature that has died within the last minute. That creature returns to life with 1 hit point. This spell can’t return to life a creature that has died of old age, nor can it restore any missing body parts. 

Seal of the Eternal Eclipse

• At 11th level, you can graft another mystical sphere into your chest, gaining the power of the sixth seal and learning the secret of the eternal eclipse darkening the sky.
  
  With an action, you can spend 5 ki points to release from your body an unnatural darkness to fill a 20-foot-radus sphere for 1 minute, or until you use an action to disperse it. This otherworldly darkness moves with you, and you gain the ability to see in darkness, either mundane or magical, up to a range of 60 feet for 1 minute. A creature with darkvision can’t see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can’t illuminate it. If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 3rd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.
  
  Finally, as you learn the secret of the eternal eclipse, you gain resistance to necrotic damage.

Seal of Silence

• At 17th level, you can graft the last mystical sphere into your chest, gaining the power of the seventh seal and learning the secrets of the eternal silence that falls over the world when it is breached. When you see a creature within 30 feet of you that is casting a spell, you can spend 6 ki points and use your reaction to attempt to interrupt the creature in the process of casting the spell. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw against your ki DC, otherwise, the target’s spell fails and has no effect, and the creature is deafened and cannot cast a spell including a verbal component until the end of its next turn. 

Way of the Specter [Monk]

Witches of the Way of the Specter go through harrowing training to acquire their abilities. After years of rigorous schooling and instruction of both their minds and bodies, a covenant ceremony takes place with their mentor in which the pupils experience death itself. The disciples effectively die, sent to the plane where spirits lie for a short moment, before being brought back to life by witch healers. Many witches in training do not survive this ceremony — or, at least, not entirely. They come back as empty husks, devoid of emotion and personality, part of their soul forever lost among the spirits. Those who do take this ultimate risk and make it back gain the key to this specific art of witchcraft: they can use their body itself to channel spirits. Their expertise lies in weakening their foes with attacks charged with spiritual energy, summoning spirits with each blow and driving them into the body of their target to siphon the target’s life energy.

Weakening Blows

• At 3rd level, you summon spirits that encircle your fists or weapons, and you use them to weaken the bodies of those receiving your blows. When you successfully hit a creature with an attack, you can spend 1 ki point to force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature’s vitality is weakened as the spiritual energy from your blows courses through their bodies. The creature takes one point of exhaustion. You can spend 1 ki point per attack to repeat this effect, but you cannot inflict more than three levels of exhaustion to one creature. At the end of each of the affected creature’s turns, they lose one level of exhaustion. For instance, if you inflict three levels of exhaustion on a creature, at the end of the creature’s following turn they will drop to two levels of exhaustion; the following round it will drop to one; and the following round it will lose all exhaustion.

Death Spiral

• At 6th level, you learn to manipulate the spiritual energy you have injected with your blows within a creature’s body, further damaging the target from the inside. Whenever you hit an enemy with at least one point of exhaustion with an unarmed strike, you inflict one additional damage die of the attack you make against that creature for each point of exhaustion that creature is under

Siphoned Life

• At 11th level, by injecting spirits into the body of a foe, you siphon out their energy to replenish your own. Whenever you use Weakening Blows to give a creature a point of exhaustion, you are healed for an amount equal to the damage roll of that attack. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. You regain all uses of this ability after a long rest.

Stolen Essence

• You have gained mastery over driving spirits into your foes’ bodies, and are now able to affect their very essence. Select an ability score you want to damage other than Constitution. When you make an unarmed strike, you can use 5 ki points to force your target to make a saving throw. The saving throw is the same as the ability score you want to damage. If the creature isn’t surprised, they make this saving throw with advantage.
  
  If your target fails the saving throw, roll your martial arts damage die. The ability score you chose is lowered for your target by half of the martial arts roll. If the creature’s ability score reaches 0, they automatically fail any ability check or saving throw using that ability score.
  
  You must maintain concentration on this ability as if it were a spell, although it cannot be ended by spells like dispel magic. The effects of this ability end after 1 minute, when you or the creature’s HP reach 0, or you lose concentration. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. Whether your target succeeds or fails their saving throw, you cannot use this ability again on the same creature until you finish a long rest. You regain all uses of this ability after a long rest.

Way of the Sphinx [Monk]

Even now, millennia after their construction, the dusty tombs and forgotten crypts of the god-kings are still sacred locations. The monasteries of the sun have endured, safeguarding the tombs from harmful interlopers, with generation after generation of stalwart guardians, ensuring the pharaohs’ rest is not disturbed. These monks are trained in the Way of the Sphinx, a fluid but aggressive style of martial arts, focused squarely on the use of scimitars, and take a sacred oath to guard the tombs until their deaths. These monks leave the bounds of the desert only if one of their number has failed in their duties, and a sacred artifact from the tombs must be recovered.

Flurry of Blades

• When you choose this monastic tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with scimitars, which count as monk weapons for you.
  
  In addition, when you engage in two-weapon fighting, you add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack. When you use your Flurry of Blows feature while wielding a light monk weapon in each hand, you can use your light weapons for the additional attacks.

Inscrutable

• Also at 3rd level, you are immune to any magical effect that would sense your emotions or read your thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks made to ascertain your intentions or sincerity have disadvantage.

Divine Guardian

• Starting at 6th level, you learn and understand the divine magic of your monastery. Some of the spells they practice hamper their enemies, others help the caster survive in their harsh surroundings. You can spend ki points to cast the spells create or destroy water, dust devil, or shield of faith.
  
  When you cast a spell in this way, you must expend a number of ki points equal to the spell's level. If the spell can be cast at higher levels, you can spend additional ki points to cast the spell at a higher level, at a cost of one additional ki point per spell level. You can expend ki points equal to no more than one third of your monk level (rounded down) on any spell granted by this feature.

Claws of the Sphinx

• Also at 6th level, you are marked by the gods to defend the mortal world against the spirits of the dead and other unholy creatures. Attacks you make with a light monk weapon count as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistance and immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

Whirling Blades

• Starting at 11th level, as an action while you hold a light monk weapon in both hands, you can spend movement equal to your Unarmored Movement bonus to whirl around in a lethal flourish. When you do so, each creature within 10 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes damage equal to your Martial Arts die + your Dexterity modifier, and is pushed 5 feet away from you in a straight line. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed away from you.

Pharoah's Judgement

• Starting at 17th level, your voice booms with divine authority, causing hostile creatures to freeze when you claim the right to pass judgement upon them. As an action you can cast the spell hold person, targeting a number of creatures up to your Wisdom modifier.
  
  Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Way of the Still Water [Monk]

These monks have stilled their own ki, abandoning their sense of self, so that it may become a shimmering reflection of others inner energy.

Reflection

• When you choose this monastic tradition at 3rd level, you know how to stop the flow of your ki, forcing it to forget the shape of your body and instead become a reflection of your enemies.
  
  Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn you can spend 1 ki point and become a reflection of your target. Make an attack against the reflected creature with one of it’s own basic melee attacks. While making the attack you use the creatures stats for everything except your hit points, as soon as the attack is over you regain your stats. For creatures huge and larger use 2 ki points.

I am Water

• Also at 3rd level, you gain a +1 bonus to your AC.

Reflect Arcana

• Starting at 6th level, damaging spells that only target you can be deflected by your Deflect Missiles feature.
  
  Also, you gain a +1 bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws.

Whirling Blades

• Starting at 11th level, as a reaction when you are stuck by an attack you may spend 2 ki points to momentarily fade your spiritual self into the ethereal plane, becoming resistant to the attacks damage until the end of the attack. Or you can spend 4 ki points to gain immunity to the attacks damage until the end of the attack.
  
  Additionally, you have grown so proficient in stilling your ki that you add your Wisdom modifier to your Stealth rolls and gain advantage on the roll if you aren't moving.

True Stillness

• Starting at 17th level, when you perform Patient Defence you can spend an additional 3 ki points to become truly still.
  
  When a creature within 10 ft of you makes a melee attack you may immediately make the same attack against them, no reaction needed. This state lasts until you are no longer dodging and your movement speed is lowered by 30ft for the duration.

Way of Street Fighting [Monk]

The Way of Street Fighting is an urban discipline founded on necessity, whose blindingly fast, unique brand of martial arts has been honed and perfected in back-alley brawls and tournaments alike. Monks who adopt this relatively new technique place comparatively little value on spiritual enlightenment and karmic balance; the thrill of split-second timing, rapid combos, and decisive knock-outs drive them to become the best combatants in the world.

Combo

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain bonuses for successful consecutive hits on a single target. On your turn, you gain a +2 bonus to the attack rolls of your unarmed strikes for each hit that you have made on that target on your turn, to a maximum of +6. This bonus resets to 0 if you take damage on your turn.
  
  Additionally, you gain proficiency in the Intimidation or Performance skill (your choice).

Fist and Bounce

• By 6th level, your unarmed strikes and monk weapons ignore the damage threshold of objects and deal maximum damage to them.
  
  Additionally, you have mastered the technique known as Wave Dashing. Whenever you use your Step of the Wind, you gain the benefit of both the Dash and Disengage actions instead of only one of them, and you have advantage on the next attack roll you make on that turn.

Special Moves

• At 11th level, you have memorized and mastered patterns of discrete movements that unlock your ki, allowing you to use the following special moves: 
  • Ki Blast. You can channel your ki into a blast of energy. As an action, you can expend 2 ki points to make a ranged spell attack (using your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus) against a creature you can see within 120 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 6d8 + half your monk level. 
  • Surging Fist. You can unleash surges of energy from your fists. You can spend 2 ki points to cast the guiding bolt spell as a bonus action, using Wisdom as your spellcasting ability.
  • Uppercut. Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to perform an uppercut. Make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. On a hit, if the target is Large or smaller and doesn’t have all of its hit points, it takes damage as normal and is then knocked off its feet and falls prone. 
  • Whirlwind Strike. Whenever you make a melee attack on your turn against a creature you can see, you can spend 1 ki point to lunge up to 15 feet toward your target before making the attack. This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks. You can perform this movement even if it causes you to travel through the air, though you fall after making the attack if you do not land on solid ground.

K. O.

• Beginning at 17th level, you can spend 3 ki points to channel your ki into a single strike, knocking a foe unconscious. As an action, make an unarmed strike against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes damage as normal. If the creature has 100 or fewer hit points after you deal damage, it is reduced to 0 hit points, is knocked unconscious, and becomes stable.
  
  Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Way of Strength [Monk]

Monks who follow this path abide by one rule beyond all: strength without control is tyranny. They train their bodies to become guardians, and summon their inner strength in powerful manifestations of will. Their fists blaze in righteous flame as they pursue those that abuse their power, and their tempered will is ready to meet any challenge. Strength is a curious concept, for no matter how far it strays from the physical description, it will always be bound to it. Monks of the Way of Strength understand this fact, and are the only tradition that favors might over agility. They are often less mobile than their dexterous counterparts, but only because they choose to endure instead of avoid. Many find shelter behind them, after all.

In this sense, we arrive at the true meaning of strength. Inner strength. Resolve, control, mastery. The still heart of a grieving wife who must push past tragedy and loss. The focused mind of a magister that must pass a difficult sentence. The strength of a man that must kill a lion to protect his family. The Way of Strength is a path of might, yes, but also control. It deals with the fire that blazes inside every mortal soul. Might is only right as long as it serves. And it will serve you.

Strength Technique

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your physical might becomes the core of your fighting technique, and you learn to benefit from your strength instead of your agility when it comes to avoiding attacks.
  
  You can use your Strength modifier instead of your Dexterity modifier for the purposes of determining your Unarmored Defense AC. In addition, you can use your Strength modifier instead of your Dexterity modifier when you use your Deflect Missiles feature.

Inner Fire

• At 3rd level, your strength of body and spirit manifests as an inner fire, fueled by your ki. The more you fight, the stronger this fire becomes, allowing you to weather even the strongest of blows, and retaliate in kind.
  
  During combat, at the start of each of your turns, you gain 1 charge of your Inner Fire. You also gain a charge when you are targeted by an attack roll, reduce a creature to 0 hit points, or spend a ki point. You can have a maximum number of charges equal to your proficiency modifier, that expire if you haven’t gained any new charges in a minute. You do not gain charges if you are surprised or outside of combat.
  
  You can expend these charges to manifest certain abilities. Unless otherwise stated, you can only expend Inner Fire charges during your turn, even if they require no action to manifest.
  • Soul Blaze (Costs 1 charge). Once per turn, whenever you hit a target with an unarmed strike, you can expend 1 Inner Fire charges to add 1d6 fire damage to the attack. The damage of this feature increases to 2d6 at 5th level, 3d6 at 11th level, and 4d6 at 17th level.
  • Strength of Body (Costs 2 charges). You reduce all incoming damage, except psychic, by 2 and you gain advantage on Strength checks and saving throws for a minute. The damage reduction of this feature increases to 3 at 5th level, 4 at 11th level, and 5 at 17th level.
  • Fiery Adrenaline (Costs 2 charges). You can expend 2 charges of your Inner Fire feature to increase your AC by 1 for one minute. You can choose to expend 4 charges to instead increase your AC by 2 for the same duration.
  • Healing Flame (Consumes all charges). As a bonus action, you consume your Inner Fire, recovering a number of hit points equal to twice the number of Inner Fire charges you have.

Manifestation of Soul

• Starting at 6th level, you learn to manifest your inner strength and wreath yourself in spiritual energy. As a bonus action, you enter a state of heightened power for a minute.
  
  While in this state, you gain an additional Inner Fire charge whenever you spend a ki point, and you can use your Soul Blaze feature twice in the same turn. In addition, your Strength score is increased by 2, up to a maximum of 22, your speed is increased by 10 feet, and you shed bright light out to 10 feet and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
  
  Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Improved Inner Fire

• When you reach 11th level, your Inner Fire has become a blaze. You gain additional abilities to spend your Inner Fire charges on.
  • Unbreakable Stance (Passive). If you end your turn with at least 3 Inner Fire charges, you are not affected by critical hits until the end of your next turn. 
  • Deflect Blow (Costs 3 charges). You can expend 3 Inner Fire charges to use your Deflect Missiles feature on a melee attack, and reduce the damage by an additional 5 points. If the damage is reduced to 0, instead of returning the projectile, you can spend a ki point to make an unarmed attack against the target as part of the same reaction. 
  • Step of Fire and Wind (Costs 3 charges). When you use your Step of the Wind ability, you can expend 3 Inner Fire charges to gain a fly speed equal to your walking speed until the end of your next turn. 
  • Inner Strength (Costs 5 charges). You gain advantage on all saving throws for a minute. 
  • Ki Recovery (Consumes all charges). As a bonus action, you consume your Inner Fire, recovering 1 ki point for every 3 Inner Fire charges you consume.

Aspect of Strength

• Beginning at 17th level, your manifestation of soul has become a natural aspect of yourself. You can use your Manifestation of Soul a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier between long rests. While under your Manifestation of Soul, you can make an additional attack as part of your attack action. In addition, whenever you roll Initiative, you gain 3 Inner Fire charges.

Way of the Third Eye [Monk]

Monks of the Way of the Third Eye access psionic power to enact change in the world around them. They use their mystical third eye’s psionic energy to acquire information, empower their attacks, and move objects with their minds. Connecting with one’s third eye, requires practice, patience, and will. Some master psionic power by being part of a religious order in the service of a gem dragon while others acquire their knowledge through self-study and magical meditations.

The psionic power of monks of this tradition often manifests itself visually. These aspects can be present at all times or only when psionic energy is being used. 

Awakened Psionics

• At 3rd level, you have a limited amount of psionic energy that is separate from your pool of ki. You have a number of psionic energy points equal to your proficiency bonus. Some of your psionic features expend the psionic energy points they use, as specified in a feature’s description, and you can’t use a power if it requires you to use a point when your points are expended. You regain all expended psionic energy points when you finish a long rest. 
  • Third Eye. Using a 1-minute ritual, you can expend 1 psionic energy point to cast any of the following spells without material components: augury, comprehend languages, detect magic, identify, or see invisibility.
  • Psionic Defense. As a reaction, you can expend 1 psionic energy point to cast the shield spell. 
  • Focused Sight. When you fail a skill check with which you have proficiency, you can expend 1 psionic energy point to add a d6 to your roll, potentially turning failure into success. This die increases at 6th level (d8) and 12th level (d10).

Martial Psionics

• Also at 3rd level, you have the ability to enhance your attacks with psionic energy. When you hit with an unarmed attack or monk weapon, you can deal force damage equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) once per turn. If you use Flurry of Blows, you can use this feature a second time in the same turn.
  
  Additionally, on your turn, your reach is 10 feet when you make unarmed attacks. In addition, when you make an unarmed strike this way, it deals force damage instead.

Psionic Retribution

• At 6th level, you have the ability to strike back using psionics. When you take damage from a creature that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to emanate telekinetic energy. The creature that dealt damage to you must make a Strength saving throw equal to your ki save DC. On a failed save, the creature takes force damage equal to one roll of your martial arts die and is pushed up to 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t pushed.

Advanced Psionics

• Starting at 11th level, you gain the ability to use your psionic energy in additional ways. 
  • Advanced Third Eye. Using a 1-minute ritual, you can expend 2 psionic energy points to cast any of the following spells without material components: arcane eye, commune, legend lore, Rary’s telepathic bond, or scrying.
  • Awakened Eye. As an action, you can spend 2 psionic energy points to cast the following spells without material components: mass suggestion, modify memory, telekinesis, or wall of force.
  • Psychic Teleportation. As a bonus action, you can expend 1 psionic energy point to teleport to an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within 30 feet. 
  • Guard the Mind. When you are targeted by divination magic, you can use your reaction to expend 2 psionic energy points to cast the nondetection spell. You must be conscious to use this feature. 

Ascended Eye

• At 17th level, your sight transcends mortal ability. You gain blindsight out to 30 feet, and you have truesight with a range of 120 feet.
  
  Additionally, you gain an ability to use your psionic energy points.
  • Void Impact. As an action, you can spend 4 psionic energy points and punch a hole in the fabric of reality. Every creature within 10 feet of you, besides yourself, must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 8d12 force damage and moves forward in time. A target moved forward in time vanishes until the start of your next turn. When the effect ends, the target reappears in the space it left or in an unoccupied space nearest to that space if it is occupied. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and suffers no other effects.

The Case of the Tradition of the Leaden Crown

Way of a Thousand Voices [Monk]

In bardic lore, the gods spoke the universe into creation. Just as bards harness the latent power of the Words of Creation through song, monks of the Way of a Thousand Voices channel these echoes into hymns and recitations with the power to alter reality. The Way of a Thousand Voices teaches its students to harness the power of the spoken word. These monks are the chroniclers of oral history, and spend much of their time reciting ancient poems and hymns high on the mountaintops, where their voices may echo for miles upon miles.

Recitations of Power

• As a student of the Way of a Thousand Voices, you’ve learned several hymns and chants that exercise control over the echoes of creation, allowing you to alter reality using your ki.

Warding Echoes

• By 6th level, you’ve learned a number of recitations that help protect you and your allies while resting. Whenever you take a short or long rest, you can choose to spend the rest in a mediatative state instead, during which you recite a series of chants and hymns. While you are reciting these chants, you are considered conscious and alert, and grant yourself and any allied creatures within a 30 foot radius a bonus to armor class equal to your wisdom modifier. This effect persists for 1 minute if you are interrupted during your rest, or for 1 hour if you are able to complete the rest uninterrupted.

A Thousand Words

• At 11th level, your discipline and mastery of the spoken word allows you to prepare more recitations of power and quickly recall certain chants when you need them most. You can prepare an additional three recitations of power, and you can now prepare your recitations during a short or long rest.

Voices Beyond

• At 17th level, you’ve learned how to control the echoes of creation such that you can manifest your voice anywhere, to anyone. You gain the ability to telepathically communicate with any creature whose name you know, so long as they are on the same plane of existence. When you use this ability, the creature with whom you are communicating audibly hears your voice, as though you were having a conversation with them from a close distance.
  
  Additionally, when you use one of your recitations of power to cast a spell that has a range other than a range of self, you may manifest the effects of the spell at any creature within 120 feet of you with whom you can telepathically communicate, as though you were casting the spell from their space.

Way of the Thunderclap [Monk]

Across the realms, one can encounter a vast variety of teachings and combat styles, each focusing on a different aspect of a warrior’s arsenal. Many monastic traditions focus on the primal power within one’s spirit, teaching students to release their ki in the form of elemental energy; which usually manifests as a specific element the user has affinity for.

The Way of the Thunderclap is a tradition tailored to those who have an affinity for lightning, being scarcely passed down within the lands of the material plane. Monks of this tradition learn how to use their elemental ki to generate an electric surge within their body, thus enhancing their speed of movement, as well as the effectiveness of their offense, to a level which can be considered unnatural.

Innate Affinity

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Lightning Reflexes

• At 3rd level, you learn how to use the voltaic nature of the ki flowing through you to control your muscles well beyond human reaction time. Once per turn, you may choose one of the following benefits: 
  • Sonic Burst. You can spend an additional ki point to use Flurry of Blows on your turn without expending a bonus action. When you do, your strikes emit a thunderous boom audible out to 100 feet. Only one Flurry of Blows may be used per turn. 
  • Counter Rush. After using Patient Defense, you can use your reaction to make one unarmed strike against any creature that misses you with a melee attack. 
  • Static Blur. When using Step of the Wind, your movement is unaffected by difficult terrain, you can move through any creature’s space, and you don’t provoke opportunity attacks. Once you use this benefit, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.

Storm Charge

• At 6th level, you can fully manifest your elemental power, enveloping yourself in a coat of lightning which grants an uncanny boost to your performance. As a bonus action, you can spend 2 ki points to enter a Charged state, lasting for 1 minute. While in this state, you gain the following benefits: 
  • You shed bright light in a 5-foot radius and dim light for an additional 5 feet, as lightning furiously crackles around your body. 
  • You gain resistance to lightning damage. 
  • Your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 lightning damage. This increases to 1d6 at 11th level. A creature can take this additional damage only once per turn. 
  • Whenever a creature hits you with a melee attack, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take lightning damage equal to your Wisdom modifier. This can happen only once per turn. 
  • As a bonus action on your turn, you can expend 1 hit dice to gain 2 ki points. This can be done a number of times per use of Storm Charge equal to your proficiency bonus. 

Surging Flux

• At 11th level, you are able to push the limits of your body and spirit, intensifying the stream of energy flowing through you at the cost of your vitality. You gain further benefits while in Charged state: 
  • At the start of each of your turns, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus, provided that you have at least 1 hit point. These temporary hit points disappear when your Storm Charge ends. 
  • If you have half or less of your total hit dice remaining, you can expend a number of hit points equal to your martial arts die's highest roll in exchange for 1 ki point (no action required). This can be done only once per turn. 
  • You can take one additional reaction per round. This can be done a number of times per use of Storm Charge equal to your Wisdom modifier.

Innate Mastery

• At 17th level, you unlock the full potential of this elemental combat style. While in Charged state, you can take one additional bonus action per turn. Additionally, you gain access to the following ki feature:
  • Thunderclap Blitz. As an action on your turn, you can spend 5 ki points to empower yourself and vanish in a burst of spark. Choose up to five creatures you can see within 60 feet of you. Make an unarmed strike or melee spell attack (your choice) against each target. On a hit, a target takes 6d10 lightning damage. You can then teleport to an unoccupied space you can see within 15 feet of one of the targets you hit or missed. All creatures within 10 feet of the space you teleported to must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 1d10 thunder damage and becoming deafened for 1 round on a failed save. This maneuver emits a resounding rumble audible out to 1000 feet.

Way of the Unerring Arrow [Monk]

Monks that follow the Way of the Unerring Arrow find serenity in the perfect, precise arc of an arrow’s flight. You have been trained in archery on horseback, to fire a bow while blindfolded, and to pinpoint the wings of an insect in flight. As you attain peace and oneness with your arrow, no feat of archery will prove to be beyond your grasp.

The inner peace of contemplation, the artistry of focused breathing, and the calm awareness which leads to pinpoint accuracy all contribute to the Way of the Unerring Arrow. Some are dedicated soldiers, others walk the path of a wandering warrior-mendicant, but all of them hone their art of self-control, spirituality, and the martial arts, combining unarmed combat with archery.

Archery Fighting Style

• Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.

Bow Arts

• At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the longbow and shortbow, which are considered monk weapons for you. Any ranged weapon attacks you make while within 5 feet of a hostile creature do not have disadvantage. Also, you can spend ki points to use the Flurry of Arrows and Soul Arrow features.
  
  At 6th level, you can make a ranged weapon attack to deliver a Stunning Strike.
  
  Flurry of Arrows. Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn to make a ranged weapon attack or an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to make an additional ranged weapon attack as a bonus action.
  
  Soul Arrow. When you take the Attack action on your turn to make a ranged weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki point to fire a soul arrow for the first attack. A soul arrow is a normal arrow of its type which ignores partial cover and deals extra damage equal to your Wisdom modifier on a hit. Firing a soul arrow doesn’t consume ammunition.
  
  When you make an unarmed strike as a bonus action as part of your Martial Arts feature or as part of a Flurry of Blows, you can choose for the unarmed strike to deal piercing damage as you jab the target with an arrow.

Intercepting Shot

• Starting at 6th level, when an attacker you can see makes an attack against you, you can make a ranged attack roll as a reaction to interrupt the attack. If the result of your roll is greater than the result of the attacker, you can reduce the attack roll targeting you by 5, to a minimum of 1.

 Needle Eye of Insight

• At 6th level, your attacks with shortbows and longbows count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. In addition, when you make a ranged attack with a shortbow or longbow, you can spend 1 ki point to cause your ranged attacks to ignore half cover and three-quarters cover until the start of your next turn.

Serenity of the Wind

• By 11th level, you can listen to the wind to see the otherwise invisible. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to gain blindsight with a range of 120 feet until the end of your next turn.
  
  At 17th level, you always have blindsight out to 30 feet.
  
  Additionally, you learn the Steel Rain Blossom technique.
  • You can fire arrows in a deadly rain. While wielding a shortbow or longbow, you can use an action to fire a barrage of arcing arrows at a point you can see within your weapon’s normal range. Each creature within 15 feet of that point must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take piercing damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die. A creature behind total cover automatically succeeds on this saving throw. You can increase the steel rain’s damage by spending ki points. Each point you spend, to a maximum of 3, increases the damage by one Martial Arts die.

Zen Archery

• At 17th level, if you make a ranged weapon attack on your turn and miss, you can immediately make another ranged weapon attack against the same target. You can only gain one additional attack during your turn with this ability.
  
  Additionally, when you use your Needle Eye of Insight feature to ignore cover, you can spend 3 ki points to ignore all forms of cover instead. The arrow even passes through solid barriers, provided you have seen the target within the past minute and it is within your weapon’s normal range.

Way of the Verdant Path [Monk]

Given their long lives, elves are prone to long periods of seclusion, taking prolonged sabbaticals from daily life to search for some deeper aspect of the world, or themselves. While high elven mages might retreat to a private sanctum or library for years on end, some— wood elves most often, but not always—find solace in nature and take up a monastic lifestyle. Many elven monks practice alone, seeking to perfect themselves over thousands of years, while others form small enclaves of closely bound warrior-philosophers. Over the eons elves have created a unique tradition commonly called the Verdant Path that looks toward the delicate, beautiful, growing things of the world for answers. These monks take comfort that, even in a perilous world, vibrant flowers still bloom after the thaw, a testament to life. 

Monks on the Verdant Path have perfected a form of ki-infused magic that unlocks the latent power of herbs. The elven monks use their herbal infusions to augment themselves in battle and search for hidden answers in the natural world. Masters of the tradition are able to strike with the deadly force of nature itself, calling trees and plants to their aid. 

Herb Lore

• At 3rd level, you find peace in working with herbs and plants. You gain proficiency with the herbalism kit and your proficiency bonus is doubled when making ability checks with herbalism kits.

Herbal Infusion

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to draw out natural magic from herbs and plants. You can spend 1 minute working with your herbalism kit as well as herbs and plants found in the area to create magical infusions. You expend a number of ki points and infuse the herb with a spell (see below for spell list) of an appropriate level (see the Herbal Infusions table below). You can infuse a spell at a higher spell level if you meet the monk level requirement and expend the appropriate number of ki points. 

Verdant Strike

• At 6th level, you can infuse your blows with nature’s wrath. When you hit using a monk weapon or unarmed strike, you can expend 2 ki points to cause thorny vines to appear from your weapon and lash out at the target. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw or become restrained. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on themselves on a success.
  
  At the beginning of your turn, you can choose to spend 1 ki point to deal 1d6 piercing damage to every creature restrained in this way. When you reach 15th level in this class, the damage increases to 2d6. 

Sun Sustenance

• Starting at 11th level, you learn to harness the sun’s nourishing rays much like a plant. If you are in sunlight for at least 4 hours a day, you do not need to eat for that day. You still need to drink, however.
  
  Additionally, if you take a short rest exposed to sunlight, you gain 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier in temporary hit points. 

Nature's Defenders

• Beginning at 17th level, nature itself joins you in battle. At the start of your turn you can spend 3 ki points to tap into the ki of plants near you until the beginning of your next turn. If you hit a creature with a monk weapon or unarmed strike this round, a tree, shrub, or other plant near the target animates and attacks your target. See the table below for a plant’s reach, attack, and damage based on its size. A plant animated in this way cannot move; your target must be within the plant’s reach. The DM decides an appropriate damage type from bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing, depending on the type of plant.
  
  Only one plant can attack a target when you hit with an attack. If there are multiple plants in reach, you choose which one attacks your target. If you hit the same target with multiple attacks, the same or a different plant can attack your target.
  
  Nature's Defenders Statistics
  Size - Reach - Attack and Damage - Examples
  Tiny - 5 ft. - +7, 1d4 - grass, flowers
  Small - 5 ft. - +6, 1d6 - small shrubs
  Medium - 5 ft. - +5, 1d8 - large shrubs
  Large - 5 ft. - +5, 1d10 - young trees
  Huge - 10 ft. - +6, 2d6 - large trees
  Gargantuan - 15 ft. - +7, 2d8 - ancient trees

Way of the Verdant Path Spell List

Way of the Void [Monk]

Some creatures who witnessed certain horrors, or who tasted the greatest of pleasures, always feel an emptiness that festers inside them. For Monks who follow The Way of the Void, this emptiness is the only truth in this life. Anger, hate, agony, sadness; none of it matters when you embrace the nothingness. Your power doesn’t have to come from a divine source, from a ritual, or some sort of training. Everyone has a void inside them, some form of nothingness…. What matters is that you become aware of it to use it to your advantage.

Nothing Remains

• When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you realize nothing is as powerful as everything. Everything that exists is limited by their own nature. This is a fact that even certain gods are not aware of. But you know that when you become nothing, you have the power and the freedom to become everything.
  
  Emptiness and nothingness fill your body and soul and your body stops existing from time to time. You can increase your AC until the end of your next turn. This increase is equal to the ki points you spend.
  
  If your AC exceeds 25 because of this ability, you must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or are wiped out from all existence for a time. Your DC increases by 5 each time you succeed this Wisdom saving throw until you finish a long rest. You reappear 1d4 hours later in a random unoccupied space within 10 miles of the point from which you vanished. This space is determined by the GM randomly. You take a -4 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws and ability checks. After you finish a long rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it reaches 0. Look into the void and let the void take you.

Nothing Stands

• At 6th level, your perception of the world you are in changes as you venture further into the void. If nothing exists, there is no obstacle that can block your path. You can spend 3 ki points to pass through a solid surface like a wall or a door. You can spend 4 ki points, to pass through living creatures. If you end your turn in a solid material, you take 4d8 force damage, and if you end your turn in a creature, both you and the creature take 4d8 force damage. Either way, you are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space after you have taken damage.
  
  Also, gravity and distances are relative for you. When you use the Slow Fall feature, you take no falling damage.

Nothing Lasts

• At 11th level, your touch can touch the very existence of the creature. You can choose one of the following to alter your abilities further: 
  • You can add 2 additional ki points to Flurry of Blows cost and deal 1d6 necrotic damage on each hit. 
  • You choose a spellcaster within 10 feet of you and you cut its connections to its source of power by spending 5 ki points. Target creature must succeed on a Charisma saving throw against your Ki save DC or can’t use its spells for 1d4 turns. However, it can keep concentrating on spells that it already cast. 
  • When you use the Deflect Missiles feature to catch or deflect an incoming missile, instead of making a ranged attack immediately, you can spend 2 ki points and erase the missile from the face of existence. Within 1 hour, you can use your reaction to summon any number of missiles you annihilated and use it/them to make a ranged attack. Every missile deals 1d4 piercing damage. You can annihilate a maximum number of missiles equal to your Monk level in this way.

Nothing Happens

• At 17th level, you can manifest your inner emptiness. As an action, you can choose a point within your line of sight that is within 90 feet of you and create a large black hole centered on the point for a number of rounds equal to your proficiency bonus.
  
  The black hole sucks all light within a 60- foot radius centered on its point of origin. Bright lights turn into dim light and dim lights diminish completely within the area. The hole also sucks everything within 60 feet of its origin point, including creatures.
  
  Every creature must make a Strength saving throw against your ki save DC. On a failed save, the black hole pulls the creature 20 feet towards itself or 10 feet on a successful one. If a creature with less than 30 hit points touches the black hole, the creature is vaporized and its body and soul are now in the void, meaning nowhere. If a creature is vaporized by this way, it cannot be revived by any means short of a true resurrection or wish spell. If a creature has more than 30 hit points, it takes 8d6 force damage when it touches the black hole and it is pushed 20 feet away from it.
  
  You can: 
  • Spend 1 ki point to stand within the black hole’s area without being affected by it until the end of your next turn. 
  • Spend 2 ki points as a reaction to protect a creature within 20 feet of you from the black hole’s effects until the end of your next turn. 
  • Spend 10 ki points to move the black hole 20 feet.