On every corner of the planet, life digs into the earth and blooms into growth. Beautiful, dangerous, wild, free, flora and fauna alike carve their way into a cold world, defiant of any circumstance. Monks that walk the Way of the Viridian Earth strive to embody this growth. They channel their ki from themselves into their surroundings to create life and verdant growth, which they can use to their advantage when in need.

One might find monks of this path in any environment — including cities. This is because growth, to monks of the Way of the Viridian Earth, goes further than physical change, but also into emotional and psychological expansion. The philosophy that these monks often espouse claims that all can grow, whether human, beast, or even otherworldly. They seek out those in need of growth, and help them blossom into something new — and not always by their ki-channeling techniques.

Path of Growth

When you take this subclass at 3rd level, you learn the druidcraft cantrip. If you already know druidcraft, you learn a different cantrip of your choice from the Druid spell list. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is Wisdom.

Additionally, you gain proficiency in your choice of Nature, Animal Handling, or Survival.

Verdant Stream

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can use your bonus action and spend 1 ki point to begin channeling your energy into a stream of verdant growth. While the stream continues, you gain the following benefits:

• You gain temporary hit points at the start of each of your turns equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1).
• You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, as vines and other flora grow to meet your grasp.
• You ignore difficult terrain while using your walking speed, as you use plant growth to lift your steps above obstacles.
• The first time you hit a creature with an unarmed strike on your turn, you can force that creature to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the target’s speed is reduced to 0 by wrapping vines which enwreathe and hinder its movement until the end of its next turn.

The stream of growth ends if 10 minutes pass or if you become incapacitated or die.

Rooted Stance

At 6th level, your stance is supported by roots grown out of the earth. As long as you’re on the ground, you can’t be moved, lifted or knocked prone against your will unless you’re unconscious or dead.

Accelerated Physiology

Beginning at 11th level, you have gained the ability to stimulate growth in your own body for the purpose of recovering from wounds. You can use your action and spend 3 ki points to cast regenerate on yourself. Once you do, you can’t cast it again until you finish a long rest.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

At 17th level, you are able to utilize spontaneous flora growth to overcome any obstacle. Whenever you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to spend a ki point and halve the attack’s damage against you. When you do, choose one of the following benefits, which you gain until the end of your next turn. You may spend additional ki points to gain an additional benefit per ki point spent.

• Creatures cannot take attacks of opportunity against you, as aromatic and colorful flowers bloom and distract enemies to cover your escape.
• Your melee weapon attacks have advantage, as verdant growths guide and strengthen your strikes.
• You switch spaces with a Medium or Small creature within 5 feet of you, as you manipulate roots to allow you to change position tactically.
• Your AC increases by 2, as plants and saplings spring up to block attacks.
• The reach of your melee weapon attacks increases by 10 feet, as you grow vines along your arms to lengthen your grasp.