Way of the Unshackled Truth

The great tragedy of most recorded history is that it has been written by the victor. A monk who follows the Way of the Unshackled Truth is dedicated to the recovery and preservation of all histories - the versions that otherwise go unwritten; the versions that some may prefer to burn. This path is a perilous one, requiring a keen mind, quick fists, and an unwavering strength of spirit.

Tools of Dedication

To survive the path you walk, and furthermore to execute your duty to the truth, certain talents and skills swiftly become necessary.

You have proficiency with Insight, and with Whips, and a Whip counts for you as a Monk Weapon.

In Pursuit of the Truth

Beginning at 3rd level when choosing this tradition, the sensitivity of your Ki allows you to extract crucial information about your foe. When you hit with an unarmed strike as an Attack action on your turn, you can use a brief pulse of Ki to gain insight into the opponent's physicality. This benefit can be used a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier, and all uses refresh when you finish a long rest.

You learn the following attributes about the target: Damage Vulnerabilities, Damage Resistances, Damage Immunities, and Condition Immunities.

In Defense of the Truth

Beginning at 3rd level when choosing this tradition, you possess a deadly competence in regard to the preservation of yourself and your secrets. When you hit with a Monk Weapon as an Attack action on your turn, you can use that same weapon to sharpen your defenses until your next turn. This benefit can be used a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier, and all uses refresh when you finish a long rest.

When you use Sharpened Defense, you gain a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, while a Monk Weapon is in your hand and you aren’t incapacitated.

Clandestine Knowledge

By at 6th level, you've accumulated extensive knowledge aligned with your interests and further honed the skills necessary to acquire more. You learn one language of your choice, and you gain proficiency in the Wisdom, Intelligence, or Charisma skill of your choice.

You gain an additional language and a skill expertise at 11th and 17th level.

Ki Bond

At 6th level, your studies and experience have afforded you an enlightened understanding of the battlefield and the art of combat.

When you hit with two or more attacks in one round, you can spend 1 ki point to choose one creature within 5 ft. of you to make a CHA saving throw (DC {{savedc:wis}}). On a successful save, nothing happens. On a fail, you form a Ki Bond with the creature until the end of your next turn.

The Ki Bonded creature cannot take reactions while it is within 5 ft. of you, and if it moves from your melee range you can use your reaction to follow it (up to your own maximum movement speed).

Clandestine Knowledge (Additional)

You gain an additional language and a skill expertise at 11th level.

Ki Assault

By 11th level you’ve honed your ability to read the truth from your enemy's aura, allowing you to exploit the hidden weaknesses of any creature unfortunate enough to be the target of your focus.

When you share a Ki Bond with an enemy, you can spend 1 ki point to empower your strikes against it. Until the end of your turn, your attacks against the Ki Bonded creature deal additional psychic damage equal to your wisdom modifier. If you hit the creature with three or more attacks, you deal an additional blast of psychic damage equal to twice your wisdom modifier and the Ki Bond is extended by 1 round.

Devastating Siphon

When you deal psychic damage to a Ki Bonded creature, you can spend 3 ki points to turn the Bond into a Siphon as a Bonus Action. You gain an additional action on your next turn from absorbing your foe's shattered aura, and they take an immediate 3 points of Exhaustion.

Once you have used Devastating Siphon on a creature, you cannot form a new Ki Bond with that creature for 1 week.

Clandestine Knowledge (Additional)

You gain an additional language and an additional skill expertise at 17th level.