Monks of the Way of the Arid develop their deadly art by living in the harshest of climates, where food and water is scarce and the heat or cold is exhausting. They use their Ki, to slowly draw the life force out of their targets, imitating the unflinching nature of their world.

Return to Earth

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can grip creatures with cruel, thorny briers. As an action you may spend 1 ki point, sending energy into the ground causing an eruption of dense, thorny plants to reach out. Creatures within 5ft of you must make a Dexterity save (the DC being your 8+proficiency bonus+your wisdom modifier). A creature of Large size or larger has advantage on this save.On a failure they are grappled by these plants until the end of your next turn. On a success nothing happens.

Ash to Ash

At 6th level, you can cause your enemy to burst into flames. When you use the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 2 ki points, targeting a creature within 60ft of you. They must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure they take 3d8 fire damage as their body is wrapped in magical fire. These flames persist and as a bonus action on your next turn you can deal the damage to them again. The flames can’t be put out by non magical means. On a success they take half the damage and the flames do not persist. This damage increases to 4d8 at level 9, 5d8 at level 13, and 6d8 at level 17.

You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum once) each day. 

Salt the Earth

Starting at level 11 you can cause your steps to salt the earth, making it thirst for nourishment from any living source. You can spend 3 Ki to cause each 5ft space you move through on that turn to become difficult terrain for 10 rounds. Additionally, when a creature begins its turn in one of these spaces they take 3d6 necrotic damage as the moisture is pulled from their body. If a creature starts its turn in contact with multiple spaces they take the damage from each space. You are immune to this damage.

You can use this ability once per short rest. 

Dust to Dust

Starting at level 17, when you use the Attack and hit a creature with an unarmed strike you can spend 4 Ki to force your target to make a Constitution save. On a success they take 8d8 necrotic damage. On a failure they take 8d8 necrotic damage and they are restrained as their body begins to turn to sandstone. At the end of their next turn they are completely turned to stone and are petrified. Additionally, the stone they are turned into is particularly fragile and degrades very quickly. For every 24 hours they are petrified their maximum hp is reduced by the maximum hp associated with one of their hit die, and parts of their body fall off. For example if the target were a bard it’s maximum hp would be reduced by 8 every 24 hours. Once the creature has lost all of its hitpoints it crumbles to dust.

You can use this ability once per long rest.