Monks who follow the Way of the Sun Soul possess a unique blend of mystical abilities, combining the discipline of ki with the raw power of the sun. These beings, often considered akin to paladins, wield sorcerous abilities that manifest differently. Their abilities are deeply rooted in a profound, mystical bond with the sun itself, and they serve as wardens of light against the encroaching darkness. The Way of the Sun Soul monks have a long and storied history, often standing alongside paladins in their quest to protect the light and vanquish the shadow. They are renowned for their prowess in combat, their radiant abilities driving back the forces of darkness. Whether on a battlefield, within a labyrinthine dungeon, or guiding their people through the darkest of nights, these monks remain unwavering in their duty.

Sorcerous Ki

The key distinction of the Way of the Sun Soul monks lies in their ability to blend the principles of ki and sorcery. Unlike traditional sorcerers, who inherit their powers or make pacts with otherworldly entities, Sun Soul monks harness the inherent power of the sun's radiant magic through their ki energy. This connection allows them to access a select range of spells from the sorcerer spell list.

The Sunlit Future

Monks of the Way of the Sun Soul believe in a sunlit future, where the light's unyielding strength pierces the deepest shadows. They see themselves as the torchbearers of this radiant destiny, working tirelessly to ensure that the sun's power never wanes. Their unique blend of ki and sorcery sets them on a path that embraces both the mystical and the martial, allowing them to stand as beacons of hope in a world filled with darkness.

Origin

Founding and Presence on Maztica

The Way of the Sun Soul monks trace their origins to the ancient peoples of Maztica, long before the arrival of other civilizations from distant lands. These early inhabitants revered the sun as the source of all life and power. It was in these sun-drenched lands that the order found its inception, arising from a group of individuals who sought to harness the radiant energy of the sun in a unique and mystical way.

The Visionaries

The true founders of the Way of the Sun Soul were visionary individuals who saw the sun as more than just a life-giving force. They believed that the sun held untapped potential, a powerful magic that could be channeled through their very beings. These visionaries, whose names have become obscured by time, embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of the sun's power.

Hierarchical Evolution

Over time, the Way of the Sun Soul evolved its own hierarchical structure, primarily shaped by the visionaries' discoveries and the wisdom passed down through generations. The ranks of Initiate, Luminary, Mystic, and Marshal emerged as the order grew and refined its teachings.

• Initiates: The earliest members of the order, these pioneers dedicated themselves to understanding the sun's magic. They explored the limits of their physical and mystical abilities, laying the foundation for the order's teachings.
• Luminaries: As the order's knowledge expanded, so did the expertise of its members. Luminaries emerged as individuals who had unlocked the secrets of both combat and spellcasting, becoming the torchbearers of the order's unique abilities.
• Mystics: Those who delved deeper into the sun's mysteries became known as Mystics. Their spiritual and intellectual leadership allowed them to guide Initiates and Luminaries, sharing the profound insights they had gained.
• Marshals: At the pinnacle of the order stands the Marshals. Unlike other ranks, Marshals are not chosen by divine entities but rather by their peers based on their exceptional mastery of the sun's magic and their unwavering commitment to the order's principles. Each Marshal is seen as the living embodiment of the sun's power.

Monastic Exploration

Throughout its history, the Way of the Sun Soul has been dedicated to the pursuit of enlightenment and the discovery of the sun's untapped potential. The order has journeyed into the deepest jungles, studied the stars and the sun to navigate the wilderness, and nurtured the land to ensure that their people flourish under the sun's radiant embrace.

The Way of the Sun Soul remains steadfast in their commitment to uncovering the mysteries of the sun, serving as guardians against the darkness while embracing their unique and ancient connection to the radiant energy of Maztica.

Spellcasting

When you reach 3rd level, you augment your martial prowess with the ability to cast spells. See Spells Rules for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the sorcerer spell list.

Cantrips

You learn two cantrips of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. You learn an additional sorcerer cantrip of your choice at 10th level.

Spell Slots

The Sun Soul Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your sorcerer spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell absorb elements and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast absorb elements using either slot.

Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher

You know three 1st-level sorcerer spells of your choice.

The Spells Known column of the Sun Soul Spellcasting table shows when you learn more sorcerer spells of 1st level or higher. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 7th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.

Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of the sorcerer spells you know with another spell of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. The new spell must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Spellcasting Ability

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your sorcerer spells, since you learn your spells through your monk studies, embracing your mystical bond with the sun and it's magic. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a sorcerer spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Sun Soul Spellcasting

MONK LEVEL	CANTRIPS KNOWN	SPELLS KNOWN	— SPELL SLOTS PER SPELL LEVEL —
			1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH
3rd	2	3	2	—	—	—
4th	2	4	3	—	—	—
5th	2	4	3	—	—	—
6th	2	4	3	—	—	—
7th	2	5	4	2	—	—
8th	2	6	4	2	—	—
9th	2	6	4	2	—	—
10th	3	7	4	3	—	—
11th	3	8	4	3	—	—
12th	3	8	4	3	—	—
13th	3	9	4	3	2	—
14th	3	10	4	3	2	—
15th	3	10	4	3	2	—
16th	3	11	4	3	3	—
17th	3	11	4	3	3	—
18th	3	11	4	3	3	—
19th	3	12	4	3	3	1
20th	3	13	4	3	3	1

Dawnstrike

Starting at 3rd level, you have begun your spellcraft training, learning to meld your spellcasting with your martial prowess, allowing you to invoke your magic as you fight. Whenever you take the Attack action on your turn, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks. When you use your action to cast a spell, you may treat this as taking the attack action and making an attack with a monk weapon for the purposes of your other monk features.

Additionally, you've learned how to produce a Dawnstrike when you hit with an unarmed strike or monk weapon. An affected creature takes additional radiant damage equal to two rolls of your martial arts die. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Sun Soul Initiate

Finally, at 3rd level, your commitment to the ways of the Sun Soul and their mystical bond to the sun has granted you additional benefits. You gain the following benefits:

• Bright Vision - You have Darkvision out to a range of 120 feet.
• Spellblade Trainee - You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill. Additionally, you gain proficiency with Martial weapons.

Solar Invocations

Starting at 6th level, your Dawnstrike has improved, allowing you to replicate minor magical effects. Whenever you hit a creature with your Dawnstrike, you can expend a ki point. If you do, choose one of the following effects:

• Arcing Strike - You can target an additional creature within 15 feet of the original target of the attack. Both creatures take damage from your Dawnstrike.
• Blinding Burst - An affected creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature is blinded until the end of your next turn.
• Constellar Channeling - Choose an ability score. You have advantage on ability checks and saving throws that use that ability for the next minute.
• Dazzling Gleam - An affected creature has disadvantage on Constitution checks made to maintain concentration on a spell or similar effect.
• Illumination - The affected creature can't benefit from being invisible and has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks for the next minute.
• Soothing Light - You gain temporary hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt by your Dawnstrike.

These effects last until stated or until you use another Solar Invocation.

Expose Weakness

Starting at 11th level, you've learned to channel the revealing lights of the sun directly into a foe, exposing weaknesses temporarily. Whenever you deal damage to a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon, you can expend 1 ki point. If you do, until the end of your next turn, you ignore any damage resistances that creature has towards spells you cast.

Mystic Enhancement

Starting at 17th level, you have begun to learn how to channel your ki into your magic, bolstering your abilities. Whenever you cast a spell, you can spend any number of ki points to increase the level of the spell by 1 per ki point spent. The level of the spell can not exceed your proficiency bonus when increased in this way.

Additionally, whenever you expend a ki point to use your Solar Invocation feature, you can select two Solar Invocations.