Monks of the way of the Two Halves try to first separate the two halves of our inner-spirits (the mind and the soul) and then use the two halves conjunctively to focus energy without emotion.  They harness the energy from rage, passion, jealousy, contempt, and levity, and utilize the energy into a driving force without the confusion that comes with the emotion itself.  Their order and training involve controlled beatings, interrogations, and some torture, to reveal the emotions inside and then teach the student how to harness the energy from that emotion while maintaining control of their mental focus.  Many outsiders to this practice think it is cruel and abusive, but members of this order feel it is necessary to attain the level of control to harness both halves of the inner self.

Because of the perception of this practice from outsiders, monasteries of this practice are usually in very remote or hidden places.  Many people who live within a day's travel of one of their monasteries have no idea.  The place where they will train is usually only known by its members and speaking about this practice outside of the monastery is strictly forbidden.

Trial of Separation

Trial of Separation

At 3rd level a monk of the Two Halves will have gone through a very rigorous training exercise in which involves a week of suffering, physical punishment, random beatings, and some starvation, all while having to stay focused on their other training lessons at the same time.  This ordeal is to teach them how to separate their mind from their emotions.  If they fail, they will have to attempt this ordeal again in six months.  Attaining this ability assumes that the student has passed this ordeal.

Upon completing this ordeal, they will attain a half-proficiency (rounded down) in all of the basic monk skills that they are not already proficient in (acrobatics, athletics, history, insight, religion, and stealth).  Additionally, they will be able to separate and control their emotions to become resistant to psychic damage and gain advantage on all saving throws vs. fear.

Harness the Two Halves

Harness the Two Halves

At 6th level a monk of the Two Halves attains an ability to harness their emotions as a defensive fight or flight response.  At any time, they are below 50% of their maximum hit points this ability with activate automatically.  During this time, they will reduce the damage from any blunt force, slashing or piercing attacks by 2.  Additionally, if they are attacking opponents in melee range, they will be able to activate a specialized form of Fury of Blows that allows them to make one extra unarmed strike each round without having to spend Ki.

This ability does not work in conjunction with Fury of Blows.  If the monk spends Ki to use a Fury of Blows maneuver, they will lose the ability to make this one bonus attack for that round.  This ability activates automatically whenever the monk is at 50% of their maximum hit points or less.  Temporary hit points are outside of the monk's normal hit point maximum and are considered a non-factor for the determination if this ability activates or not.

Focus and Unity

Focus and Unity

At 11th level the monk of the Two Halves has learned the level of discipline to have the two halves of their inner spirit to work separately.  One half focuses on passions and wants, while the other focuses on needs and responsibilities.  This separation of the two spirits can be used several ways as described below.

• If a known enemy (someone they have fought before or have been sent to fight) is within 500 feet of the monk, the passionate side will detect them immediately and will tell the monk the distance and direction to that enemy.  This ability will not allow the monk to know if the enemy is aware of the monk's presence, nor will it allow the monk to see the enemy through obstructions.  The monk will simply be aware of the enemy and the direction where they are located.
• In combat this ability will allow the monk to advance on any enemy within movement range without incurring attacks of opportunity from others between the monk and that enemy.  Additionally, if the monk can reach an unoccupied space within melee range of that enemy, this ability will prevent the enemy from disengaging from the monk until the end of the following round.  This ability can only be used to advance on an enemy, to retreat from an enemy is considered a disengage maneuver.
• This ability will improve the monk's resistance to fear to include all forms of mind-affecting attacks.  The monk now received advantage on all saves vs. mind-affecting attacks.

Separation of the Halves

Separation of the Halves

At 17th level the monk has attained complete control over the two base elements of their inner spirit.  Each one can be summoned once per long rest and require a bonus action to activate.  When the rational side is summoned, it will aid the monk by enabling the monk to make all attacks and saving throws for one round at advantage.  When the passionate side is summoned, the monk will cause 3d8 psychic damage to all enemies within a 20-foot radius.

When the monk summons the passionate side, it is not an invisible attack.  Others will be able to see the psychic energy emitting from the monk.  This attack allows the monk to choose who is harmed and who is not, thus the monk does not have to worry about harming allies.  All enemies are entitled to a saving throw for half damage.  The DC of this attack is 8 + (the monk's Wisdom modifier and the monk’s proficiency score).  As mentioned, each one can be summoned once per long rest, the rational side lasts for one round and the passionate side releases an instantaneous effect.