Way of the Divine Pillar

This style emphasizes deep inner meditation in many ways, and they reflect a belief that the spirit is a divine pillar that connects between earth and the heavens. As a reflection of this, the style uses staves and poles as extensions of their belief, and they learn a mighty series of techniques that devastate enemies, protect others, and grant amazing mobility. The way of the Divine Pillar is a potent style that makes impressive adventurers, and every practitioner of this style uses incredible staff techniques in their martial arts styles that improve their attacks, their mobility, and their ability to defend themselves and their allies.

In Avalestra, there aren't many specialized schools in the ways of martial arts and the associated spiritual practices, however the Way of the Divine Pillar emerged as one of some small renown. The Patsugah School of Antargen Ares was supposedly the first source of this way, and they had gathered enough reputation to attract some demihuman outsiders willing to learn the way. Unfortunately, the Human Plague and the Diabolic Invasion annihilated the Patsugah School and the original materials and teachings of the masters of this style. Since that time, the few remaining masters are hardly ever humans, but the former prodigies from other races who carry on the tenets and techniques of this way.

The Divine Pillar

3rd-level Way of the Divine Pillar feature

At 3rd level, students of the Way of the Divine Pillar are taught how to utilize the quarterstaff as an extension of their own bodies. This allows you to strike with optimum power, hit with both ends of the staff in a powerful volley of strikes, use the staff to protect others in a shielding manner, or also becoming able to vault higher than normal using the staff as a pole to propel yourself upward. You gain the following benefits:
- You deal one half your Strength or Dexterity modifier damage (your choice, rounded down) with all of your strikes with a quarterstaff, and you may use your quarterstaff for your Martial Arts bonus attack instead of an unarmed strike.
- You may use your bonus action shift your grip and to then treat your staff as if it had the Reach property until the beginning of your next turn.
- Whenever you spend a ki point to activate your Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, or Step of the Wind, you may spend an additional 1 ki point to gain new benefits. Whenever you use your Flurry of Blows and you are wielding a quarterstaff, you add an additional die of damage with successful critical hits in the Flurry of Blows, and all dice of damage you deal inflict that much damage +1, as you whip the staff in rapid assault spinning strikes. Whenever you use your Patient Defense and an ally is within 5 feet of you, you may choose not to gain the benefit of Patient Defense and instead grant it to that creature by spending an additional ki point, spinning the staff in front of that ally. Whenever you use Step of the Wind, you may add 10 feet to the maximum height of your jump, using the quarterstaff perfectly as a vaulting pole by spending an additional ki point.

Wind Pillar

6th-level Way of the Divine Pillar feature

You become able to weave the magic of your ki and spin your staff in such rapid style that it creates a whirling wind that can do many things for you. You may spend 2 ki points to cast the Levitate spell on yourself without expending a spell slot or requiring any components. Additionally, you can spend 2 ki points to cast the Gust of Wind spell without expending a spell slot and without material components. Lastly, you learn the Gust cantrip which you can use by spinning your quarterstaff. You must have at least 5 feet of empty space next to you to execute this unique spin and thus use this cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Whirlwind Attack

11th-level Way of the Divine Pillar feature

You learn to spin your quarterstaff in a whirling strike that is capable of striking all enemies around you. You can use your action to make a melee attack against any number of creatures within 5 feet of you, with a separate attack roll for each target. This counts as an attack action.

Rod of Divine Justice

17th-level Way of the Divine Pillar feature

You become capable of whipping your staff through the air so quickly that you are able to hit more often and generate additional power in every strike, in addition to learning an amazing spinning defensive technique that protects a wide area around you. Your quarterstaff attacks deal 1d4 additional bludgeoning damage. Additionally, if you succeed at a critical hit with your staff weapon, you may expend a number of ki points up to your Proficiency Bonus and deal +1d8 additional damage to that target for each 1 ki point spent. Lastly, if you spend a ki point for your Patient Defense option, you may spend an additional ki point when you use that feature to confer its benefit to yourself and all creatures within 5 feet of you.