Ascetics are spellcasters with mysterious powers. They command the elements, spirit forces, and the powers of nature. They are seldom found living with the rest of society. Instead, they live as hermits in the wilderness, purifying their bodies and minds to contact the various natural and supernatural powers of the world. From these entities they learn spells - magical means to control the invisible forces of the world.

Watchful Spirit

The spirits of the world reward your dedication and obedience by warning you of immediate danger. You gain advantage on initiative rolls.

Taboos

To maintain their supernatural power, ascetics must abide by certain taboos that might seem inconsequential to other characters but are vitally important to the ascetic. If an ascetic violates one of their taboos, they cannot cast any more spells that day. An ascetic must choose one taboo at 2nd level and one additional taboo at 6th, 10th, 14th, & 18th level.

Chromatic

Cannot wear a specific color.

Decay

Cannot touch a dead body.

Earth

Cannot sleep on the ground.

Fire

Cannot light fire.

Metal

Cannot cut hair.

Nature

Cannot eat meat.

Orientation

Cannot sit facing a specific direction. You always know when facing that direction.

Poverty

Cannot own more than can be carried.

Reverance

Must make daily offering (such as food, flowers, or incense) to one or many spirit powers.

Temperance

Cannot drink alcohol.

Water

Cannot bathe.

Wood

Cannot eat or cook with wooden implements.

Elemental Mastery

During the course of their arcane studies, ascetics develop a deep connection to one of the five elements of nature: air, earth, fire, water, and life. Starting at 2nd level, choose an element. All spells utilizing the energy of that element (air - lightning, earth - acid, fire - fire, water - cold, life - radiant) have their spell DC increased by 2 when cast. Additionally, you gain advantage on saving throws against your chosen element.

Air

The element of winds, flight, & electricity.

Earth

The element of stone, mountains, and the land itself.

Fire

The element of hearth, forge, and volcano.

Life

The elemental force that animates all living things.

Water

The element of rivers, ice, and the oceans.

Spell Secret - Persistence

The spirits of the natural world grant you a special insight into a particular spell, thus allowing you to extend the duration of its effect without requiring additional arcane energy. Choose a spell that you know with a duration of at least 1 minute. All your castings of that spell last for double the normal duration. No other aspect of the spell is altered by this secret.

This feature is permanently applied to one spell.

Spell Secret - Distance

Your deepening spiritual connection has granted a special understanding of the spatial aspects of a specific spell. Choose a spell that you know. If that spell has a range of 5 feet or greater, all your castings of that spell have twice the normal range. If that spell has a range of touch, all your castings have a range of 30 feet. No other aspect of the spell is altered by this secret.

This feature is permanently applied to one spell.

This secret may be applied to spell to which other secrets have been applied.

Spell Secret - Subtlety

As you increase your connection and devotions to the spirits, you learn the secret of casting a certain spell with nothing more than a thought. Choose a spell that you know. All your castings of that spell no longer require somatic or verbal components. However, you must still provide any required material components. No other aspect of the spell is altered by this secret.

This feature is permanently applied to one spell.

This secret may be applied to spell to which other secrets have been applied.

Spell Secret - Alacrity

The spirits you serve reveal the secret of marshaling arcane energy at the speed of thought. Choose a spell you know with a casting time of 1 action. You now cast that spell as a bonus action. No other aspect of the spell is altered by this secret.

This feature is permanently applied to one spell.

This secret may be applied to spell to which other secrets have been applied.