Monastic Traditions

Being a monk is to seek the perfection of the body and spirit above other worldly desires. Most monks practice a form of martial arts that helps them to acheive this goal. These Traditions, generally taught at a local monastary, help to define what is means to be a monk in a unique way. Some seek to protect others, even their foes, with powerful, but non deadly arts, while other seek balance and attunement with the elements.

Way of the Open Hand

Monks of the Way of the Open Hand are the ultimate masters of martial arts combat, whether armed or unarmed. They learn techniques to push and trip their opponents, manipulate ki to heal damage to their bodies, and practice advanced meditation that can protect them from harm.

Open Hand Technique

You can manipulate your enemy's ki when you harness your own. Whenever you hit a creature with one of the attacks granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can impose one of the following effects on that target:

It must succeed on a Mobility (Agility) defense roll or be knocked prone.
It must make a Body (Strength) defense roll. If it fails, you can push it up to 3 movements away from you.
Reactions cost an extra 2 Action Points until the end of your next turn.

Wholeness of Body

At 6th level, you gain the ability to heal yourself. For 5 Action Points, you can regain Vitality equal to twice your monk level. You must finish a long rest before you can use this feature again.

Tranquil Shield

Starting at 11th level, you are able to redirect blows more effectively. As a reaction, you can spend 2 Action Points and 2 ki to give an attack against you disadvantage.

Quivering Palm

At 17th level, you gain the ability to set up lethal vibrations in someone's body. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 3 ki points to start these imperceptible vibrations, which last for a number of days equal to your monk level. The vibrations are harmless unless you spend 6 Action Points to end them. To do so, you and the target must be on the same plane of existence. When you use this action, the creature must make a Body (Endurance) defense roll. If it fails, it is reduced to 0 Health. If it succeeds, it takes 10d10 necrotic damage.

You can have only one creature under the effect of this feature at a time. You can choose to end the vibrations harmlessly without using an action.

Flowing River

At 20th level, you learn to bend and flow like the river against the tide of your enemies' attacks. You gain the following features:

You can use your Deflect Missiles feature against melee or spell attacks.
Your passive defense equals your monk level + your Acuity + your unarmed skill ranks.

Way of the Shadow

Monks of the Way of Shadow follow a tradition that values stealth and subterfuge. These monks might be called ninjas or shadowdancers, and they serve as spies and assassins. Sometimes the members of a ninja monastery are family members, forming a clan sworn to secrecy about their arts and missions. Other monasteries are more like thieves' guilds, hiring out their services to nobles, rich merchants, or anyone else who can pay their fees. Regardless of their methods, the heads of these monasteries expect the unquestioning obedience of their students.

Shadow Arts

Your mystical training can duplicate the effects of certain spells. For 4 Action Points, you can cast darkness, invisibility, or silence and you learn the minor illusion cantrip if you don't already know it. You can cast these spells without providing material components. When you use this feature to cast darkness, you can see through the darkness created by the spell.

In addition, you gain darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. In that radius, you can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. Once you cast one of these spells using this feature, you can't cast that spell again until you finish a short rest, unless you spend 1 Ki to cast it again.

Shadow Step

When you reach 6th level, you gain the ability to step from one shadow into another. When you are in dim light or darkness, for 3 Action Points you can teleport to an unoccupied space you can see within 60 feet and is also in dim light or darkness. You then have advantage on the next melee attack you make before the end of the turn In addition, you can take the Hide action for 2 Action Points.

Opportunist

At 11th level, you can exploit a creature’s momentary distraction when it is hit by an attack. Whenever a creature within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack made by a creature other than you, you can as a reaction, spend 1 extra Action Point to make a melee attack against that creature. If the attack hits and you are in dim light or darkness, you can use your Shadow Step feature immediately as part of the same reaction.

Cloak of Shadows

By 17th level, you have learned to become one with the shadows. When you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you can spend 2 ki to become invisible. You remain invisible until you make an attack, cast a spell, or are in an area of bright light.

Shadow Dance

At level 20, if you are in dim light or darkness you can enter the shadow dance. The effect immediately ends if you enter bright light. While the effect is active, you have advantage on melee attack rolls and you can move up to 3 movement after each melee attack you make. This movement is in addition to your normal movement, and it does not provoke counterattacks.

Way of the Kensei

Monks of the Way of the Kensei train relentlessly with their weapons, to the point where the weapon becomes an extension of the body. Founded on a mastery of sword fighting, the tradition has expanded to include many different weapons.

A kensei sees a weapon in much the same way a calligrapher or painter regards a pen or brush. Whatever the weapon, the kensei views it as a tool used to express the beauty and precision of the martial arts. That such mastery makes a kensei a peerless warrior is but a side effect of intense devotion, practice, and study.

Path of the Kensei

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. You gain the following benefits.

Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain aptitude with these weapons if you don't already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. Many of this tradition's features work only with your kensei weapons. When you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th level in this class, you can choose another type of weapon—either melee or ranged—to be a kensei weapon for you, following the criteria above.

Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon. You gain a +2 to parry defense attempts, while the weapon is in your hand and you aren't incapacitated.

Kensei's Shot. You can spend an extra 2 Action points when you make a ranged attack with a kensei weapon to make it more deadly. When you do so, any target you hit with a ranged attack using a kensei weapon takes an extra 1d4 damage of the weapon's type.

Deft Strike

At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons. When you hit a target with a kensei weapon, you can spend 1 ki point to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target equal to your Martial Arts die. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.

Sharpen the Blade

At 11th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. for 3 Action Points, you can expend up to 3 ki points to grant one kensei weapon you touch a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. The bonus equals the number of ki points you spent. This bonus lasts until you use this feature again or the end of combat.

Unerring Accuracy

At 17th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.

One with the Blade

At level 20, your weapons become an extension of your soul. You reduce the Action Point cost of weapon attacks by 1, and the Action Point cost of counterattacks by 1. You can spend 1 ki to turn a normal hit into a critical hit.

Way of the Four Elements

You follow a monastic tradition that teaches you to harness the elements. When you focus your ki, you can align yourself with the forces of creation and bend the four elements to your will, using them as an extension of your body. Some members of this tradition dedicate themselves to a single element, but others weave the elements together.

Many monks of this tradition tattoo their bodies with representations of their ki powers, commonly imagined as coiling dragons, but also as phoenixes, fish, plants, mountains, and cresting waves.

Disciple of the Elements

At 3rd level, you learn magical disciplines that harness the power of the four elements. Some disciplines require you to spend ki points when you use them.

You learn two elemental disciplines of your choice, which are detailed in the elemental disciplines sections below. You learn two additional elemental disciplines of your choice at 6th, 11th, and 17th level.

Whenever you learn a new elemental discipline, you can also replace one elemental discipline that you already know with a different discipline.

Casting Elemental Spells. Some elemental disciplines allow you to cast spells. See Spellcasting for the general rules of spellcasting. To cast one of these spells, you use its casting time and other rules, but you don’t need to provide material components for it. When you cast a spell with a discipline, it is cast at the spell’s lowest circle unless otherwise specified.

Once you reach 5th level in this class, you can spend additional ki points to increase the circle of an elemental discipline spell that you cast, provided that the spell has an enhanced effect at a higher level, as burning hands does. The spell’s circle increases by 1 for each additional ki point you spend. For example, if you are a 5th-level monk and use Sweeping Cinder Strike to cast burning hands, you can spend 2 ki points to cast it as a 2nd-circle spell (the discipline’s base cost of 1 ki point plus 1).

The maximum number of ki points (its base ki point cost plus any additional points) that you can spend on the spell is 2, unless a discipline specifies otherwise. This maximum increases to 3 at 9th level, 4 at 13th level, and 5 at 17th level.

All diciplines need adjusting still, unfinished

3rd Level Elemental Disciplines

Starting at 3rd level, you can learn the following disciplines:

Become the Teapot. You roll with the incoming energy, attuning to element, becoming it. You can spend 1 ki point to cast absorb elements*.

Enduring Mountain Stance. Your body and mind becomes as rigid and unyielding as the ground below you. Your ki roots your feet into the ground and you become immovable. When you use the Dodge action, you cannot be moved, pushed, grappled, frightened, or knocked prone against your will until the start of your next turn, even if magically compelled to do so. You must be standing on the ground to use this ability.

Fangs of the Fire Snake. Your arms and legs become enveloped in roaring gouts of flame. When you make an unarmed attack on your turn, you can choose to strike out tendrils of flames which stretch out beyond your normal reach. Your reach increases by 5 feet for that attack, and it deals fire damage instead of bludgeoning damage. If the attack hits you can spend 1 ki point to deal an extra 1d10 fire damage.

Fang of the Frost Wolf. You summon a shard of razor-sharp ice and fling it at your foe. You can spend 1 ki point to cast ice knife*.

Fist of Four Thunders. You slam your fists together in front of you, causing a thunderous boom that blows away everything around you. You can spend 1 ki point to cast thunderwave.

Fist of Unbroken Air. You summon a swirling wind and concentrate it around your fist. When you make an unarmed attack on your turn, you can choose to strike out condensed bursts of air which stretch out beyond your normal reach. Your reach increases by 10 feet for that attack. If the attack hits you can spend 1 ki point to force the target to make a Strength saving throw or be pushed back 10 feet and be knocked prone.

Golden Snake’s Icy Path. Whenever you take the Dash action, until the end of your turn for any movement you make along a surface you can leave a trail of slippery ice. This ice counts as difficult terrain and lasts until the start of your next turn.

Rumbling Badger. You shake the ground, causing a tremor that knocks over your foes. You can spend 1 ki point to cast earth tremor*.

Rush of the Gale Spirits. You send a blast of air outward with a thrust of your open palm. You can spend 2 ki points to cast gust of wind.

Sweeping Cinder Strike. With a wide sweeping gesture, you summon forth a barrage of hot cinders. You can spend 1 ki point to cast burning hands.

Water Whip. You summon a long, rubbery whip of pure water that you grip by one end. You can spend 1 ki point as a bonus action to create a whip of water that shoves and pulls a creature to unbalance it. A creature that you can see that is within 30 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes bludgeoning damage equal to your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier, plus an extra 1d10 bludgeoning damage for each additional ki point you spend, and you can either knock it prone or pull it up to 25 feet closer to you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage, and you don’t pull it or knock it prone. You can’t use Water Whip and cast a spell during the same turn.

6th Level Elemental Disciplines

Starting at 6th level, you can learn the following disciplines:

A Leaf on the Wind. A powerful wind rises up to catch you as you fall. Your Slow Fall ability no longer requires a reaction to use, and instead you may use it automatically whenever you are conscious and not incapacitated, and it negates all falling damage regardless of distance. When you use the Slow Fall ability, you may also glide along the air to move 5 feet in any horizontal direction for every 5 feet that you fall.

Burning Ember Flourish. You reach out with your ki to snuff out a source of fire, causing it to go out with a bang or to sputter black smoke. You can spend 2 ki points to cast pyrotechnics*.

Crushing Hand of the Mountain. You focus your strength into your outstretched fist, summoning a hand of earth from the ground. You can spend 2 ki points to cast maximilian’s earthen grasp*.

Curtain of Unyielding Wind. You let out a fierce howl as a mighty wind begins swirling around you. You can spend 2 ki points to cast warding wind*.

Gong of the Summit. You strike the air as if it were a gong. You can spend 2 ki points to cast shatter.

Hatchling’s Flame. You focus your ki into a torrent of fire that streaks away from you. You can spend 2 ki points to cast aganazzar’s scorcher*.

Impenetrable Iron Tortoise Shell. You summon an earthen barrier to defend yourself or an ally. As a reaction, you may spend 2 ki points to use your Deflect Missiles ability against an attack you can see within 30 feet of you. Any damage not prevented by this ability is taken by the original target of the attack. If you reduce the damage to 0, you can’t make an attack with it. (less like deflect missle, deflect missle is very tai chi, this is raw defense...)

Mote of the Sun. Your ki manifests as a roaring orb of fire. You can spend 2 ki points to cast flaming sphere

Patient Badger Listens. You reach out with your ki to the ground beneath you. You can spend 2 ki points as a bonus action to gain tremorsense with a range of 30 feet and a burrow speed equal to half of your movementt for up to 1 minute. Your movement leaves behind a tunnel that remains for as long as this ability is active, and then collapses.

Red Dragon’s Claws. Rays of fire spring from your outstretched hand to sear your foes. You can spend 2 ki points to cast scorching ray.

Swarming Ice Rabbit. A flurry of magic snowballs erupts from a point you choose within range. You can spend 2 ki points to cast snilloc’s snowball swarm*.

Water Jet. You can spend 2 ki points as an action to unleash a jet of water in a line that is 30 feet long and 5 feet wide. Each creature in the line must make a Strength saving throw, taking bludgeoning damage equal to your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. In addition, you can move each target that fails its saving throw to any unoccupied space touching the line.

11th Level Elemental Disciplines

Starting at 11th level, you can learn the following disciplines:

Dance of Three Ways. You summon six spheres of earth from the ground, suspend them in the air around you, and ignite them with your fiery ki. With a thought, you launch these blazing meteors at your foe. You can spend 3 ki points to cast melf’s minute meteors*.

Earth Reaches for Sky. Focusing your strength with a deep, rumbling shout, you swing your arms up high, causing an eruption of churned earth and stone that engulfs your foes. You can spend 3 ki points to cast erupting earth*.

Eternal Mountain Defense. Your body hardens to stone, nearly impervious to weapons. You can spend 4 ki points to cast stoneskin, targeting yourself

Flames of the Phoenix. With a hand motion, you conjure a tiny bead of burning energy. You spend 3 ki points to cast fireball.

Fist of the Elements. The elements swirl around your weapon. You can spend 3 ki points to cast elemental weapon, choosing from only the damage types cold, fire, or thunder. Your unarmed strikes count as a weapon for the purposes of this discipline.

Hua’s Water Prison. You conjure up a sphere of water that engulfs and imprisons foes that touch its surface. You can spend 4 ki to cast watery sphere*.

Mist Stance. A swirling mist envelopes your body and you merge with it, becoming a cloud. You can spend 3 ki points to cast gaseous form, targeting yourself.

One with the Tides. You reach out with your ki and become one with water. You spend 2 ki points as an action to gain underwater adaptations for 8 hours. While this ability is active, you can breath normally underwater, you gain a swim speed equal to your walking speed, and you gain blindsight with a radius of 60 feet while underwater.

Rain of the Frigid Glacier. You cool the air in the skies above you, condensing the water droplets into freezing rain and sleet. You can spend 3 ki points to cast sleet storm.

Raise the Troubled Earth. You stir the earth around you into action, summoning a wall of sand to serve as your barricade. You can spend 3 ki to cast wall of sand*.

Raise the Still Waters. Though water can give way easily, it can just as easily offer great resistance. You can spend 3 ki to cast wall of water*.

Ride the Wind. You summon a mighty wind that envelopes your body, sweeping you to where you want to go. You spend 3 ki points to cast fly , targeting yourself, except your fly speed is equal to your movement speed.

River of Hungry Flame. You sweep your hands upward, causing a wall of blazing hot fire to leap up from the ground. You can spend 4 ki points to cast wall of fire .

Sea’s Fury. You conjure up a mighty wave of water that crashes down on your foes. You can spend 3 ki to cast tidal wave*.

Shape of the Flowing River. You touch the body of water with your ki, coaxing it to change its form. You can spend 4 ki points to cast control water.

Spellfist Stance. You effortlessly flow between martial and elemental assault. When you use your action to use an elemental discipline, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action, or you can use your Flurry of Blows.

Sweeping Crosswind. A wall of strong wind rises from the ground, batting away anything in its path. You can spend 3 ki points to cast wind wall.

17th Level Elemental Disciplines

Starting at 17th level, you can learn the following disciplines:

Breath of Winter. You inhale deeply and then exhale, blasting a cone of frigid air out in front of you that freezes everything in its path. You can spend 5 ki points to cast cone of cold.

Eyes of Fire. Your foes may try to hide in darkness, but their ki lights up like a torch to you. You may cast see invisibility without expending any ki. In addition, while under the effects of see invisibility, you may spend 2 ki points as a bonus action to gain truesight until the end of your next turn.

Eye of the Hurricane. You stretch out your ki to embrace the winds. You can spend 5 ki points to cast control winds*.

Mold the Mountain. You master the many forms that earth may take. You can spend 5 ki to cast transmute rock*.

Swirling Crab’s Revenge. Your ki manifests as a swirling pool of water, smashing and pulling your foes towards its center. You can spend 5 ki points to cast maelstrom*.

Wave of Rolling Earth. The ground shakes and emits a low rumble as a wall of stone erupts up into being. You can spend 5 ki points to cast wall of stone.

Avatar of the Elements

As an ultimate display of your mastery of the elements, you can spend 5 ki and 4 Action Points to have the elements of earth, fire, air, and water form a protective sphere around your body, gaining multiple benefits for 1 minute. While this ability is active, you have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, cold, fire, and lightning damage. You also gain a burrow, fly, and swim speed equal to your movement. Lastly, you can use any of the following abilities for 3 Action Points:

• You create a small earthquake on the ground in a 15-foot radius around you. Each creature in that area must make a Mobility (Agility) defense roll. On a failure, a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone.

• You create a line of fire 15 feet long and 5 feet wide extending from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the line must make a Mobility (Agility) defense roll. A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failure.

• You create a 15-foot sphere of swirling wind centered on a point you can see within 60 feet of you. Each creature in that area must make a Body (Strength) defense roll. A creature takes 1d10 bludgeoning damage on a failure. If a Large or smaller creature fails, that creature is also pushed up to 10 feet away from the center of the sphere.

• You create a 15-foot cone of ice shards extending from your outstretched hand in a direction you choose. Each creature in the cone must make a Body (Endurance) defense roll. A creature takes 2d6 cold damage on a failure. A creature that fails has its movement halved until the start of your next turn.

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