Way of the Inked Soul

Monks of the Way of the Inked Soul believe that the body is a sacred canvas through which they can achieve enlightenment They adorn their bodies with intricate tattoos, each symbol opening action to their abilities. By attuning their minds and bodies to these tattoos, they unlock powerful abilities that blend martial prowess and arcane magic.

Tattooed Focus

Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to tattoo your body with mystical symbols that act as a focus for your magical abilities. You must spend 1 hour and 50 gp worth of special inks to create a new tattoo, and you can have a maximum number of tattoos equal to your proficiency bonus. You can choose from a list of available tattoo options.

Available Tattoo Options:

1. Burning Ember: The target takes an additional 1d6 fire damage.
2. Frostbound Glyph: The target's speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of your turn.
3. Thundering Fist: The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 15 feet away from you.
4. Serpent's Coil: The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be restrained until the end of your turn.
5. Soothing Lotus: You regain hit points equal to your monk level.
6. Arcane Ward: You gain temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier + your monk level.

Tattooed Strikes

At 3rd level, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to activate a tattooed strike. Choose one of your tattoos, and its magical effect is applied to the target of your attack. This effect lasts until the end of your turn. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Tattooed Defense

Starting at 6th level, you can use your tattoos to bolster your defenses. As a reaction when you are hit by an attack, you can spend 2 ki points to activate a protective tattoo. Choose one of your tattoos that grants a defensive effect, and its benefits are applied, reducing the damage you take. The damage reduction is equal to your level plus your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1). Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Flowing Ink

At 11th level, your connection with your tattoos deepens. You can now spend 2 ki points to change the active tattoo on your body as a bonus action on your turn. This allows you to adapt your magical effects to the situation at hand, enhancing your versatility in combat and utility outside of it.

Master Inkweaver

At 17th level, you have become a master of infusing magic into your tattoos. You can create tattoos with two magical effects instead of one. Additionally, you can activate two tattooed strikes with a single unarmed strike, provided you have enough ki points to spend. Furthermore, the ki cost of activating your Tattooed Defense feature is reduced to 1 ki point.