Way of Inner Life

Monks of the Way of Inner Life take the esoteric power most Monks attain over their spiritual energy, or Ki, to a whole new level. Many who learn this path learn many different names and methods, some calling it Aura, others Ki, Chi, Chakra, Nen, Spirit energy. One thing remains the same, this mystical force is a result of the combination of both physical energy mixing with that of the soul. Most martial artists learn how to channel this inner life through their training, using it to empower their fists with the striking power of actual weapons, granting themselves extraordinary gifts like speed and ignoring the effects of aging or poisons and diseases. Full practitioners of this art learn to channel this inner life to even greater effect. This is a physical manifestation of the soul, their very bodies glowing with the light of their inner self. 

Awaken Aura

Starting when you choose this monastic tradition at 3rd level, you gain the ability to project your life essence into a thin layer around your body, forming a sort of armour made out of ki to bolster your defensive capabilities.

As a bonus action on your turn, you can awaken your Aura. This Aura lasts for 1 hour for every 3 levels of monk you have. The Aura starts with and has maximum hit points equal to your monk level + your Wisdom modifier. When you would take damage, your Aura takes the damage instead. If this damage reduces your Aura to 0, you take any remaining damage. 

Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike as part of your flurry of blows while your Aura is manifested, you can cause the Aura to regain hit points equal to a roll of your Martial Arts die.

As a bonus action, you can expend a number of ki points and cause your Aura to regain hit points equal to 2 times the number of ki points expended.  

While your Aura has 0 hit points, it can't absorb damage but its essence remains and it can regain hit points as normal.

You can manifest this aura twice per short rest.

Inner Strength

Starting at 6th level, warriors of the Inner Life learn how to enhance their offensive strikes with the power of their spirit. 

While their Awaken Aura is active, the Inner Life grants the monk the ability to weaponize their spiritual energy. The monk may add a bonus to 1 damage roll made with their unarmed strike equal to 1 roll of their martial arts dice. The monk may channel more of their inner life into this strike, spending 1 Ki to increase the bonus damage to 2 rolls of their martial art dice. This can only be done once per turn.

Using this ability drains their Aura, dealing damage equal to the number of martial arts dice added to the damage roll to the monk. If their aura is drained to 0 by this, or is already at 0, the monk takes the excess damage as they channel their own life force into the blow.

Outward Flare

Starting at 11th level, your Inner Life has become more flexible, allowing it to be used to further enhance your offensive capabilities, as well project even further from yourself.

While your Aura is manifested, your unarmed strikes gain 5 feet increased attack range. Additionally, you deal additional force damage with your unarmed attacks equal to your wisdom modifier

As a bonus action you can cause your aura to flare out in a 10ft radius around you. Each creature you treat as hostile must make a constitution saving throw equal to your stunning strike DC or take force damage equal to 4 rolls of your martial arts dice + wisdom modifier, and be blow back 10ft from you.  On a successful save, creatures only take half damage, and are not blown back. Using this ability damages your aura, making it take damage equal to 1 roll of your martial arts dice. If it is reduced below 0, or is already at 0 when the flare is used, the damage is transferred to your hit points. 

Realized Potential

At 17th level, the warrior has unlocked the greatest ability their Inner Life can give them, unlocking their full potential. While their Aura is active, the monk gains the following abilities

You gain resistance to Bludgeoning, Slashing, and Piercing Damage

When you use Ki to recharge your aura as a bonus action, your aura now regain 5 hit points per point of Ki spent.

When the warrior activates their Inner Strength ability, the bonus damage increases to 2 martial art die rolls, and the monk may spend 1-10 ki to add an additional martial arts dice to the damage of the attack per point of ki spent. The damage to their aura increases for each additional martial arts dice they roll, and any excess damage transfers to their own hit points.