Way of the Fighting Spirit

Those who follow the Way of the Fighting Spirit channel their Ki in a manner unlike that of other monks. Instead of throwing out earth-shattering strikes, or mastering the elements themselves; These Monks opt to manifest their very soul itself into a weapon that they can utilize freely. Some who follow this path are quite arrogant, as well, and have been known to strike poses while their Spirits lash out at their enemies.

No two practitioners of this Monastic Tradition can be treated as the same, as both the appearance of their Spirits and said spirit's penultimate abilities vary wildly depending on the person wielding them. 

Spiritual Awakening

At 3rd level, when you take this subclass, you manifest your very fighting spirit in the form of a ghostly “mannequin”, the appearance of which varies based on your personality. For the sake of battle, this Spirit is treated as a Familiar which can take attacks.

Your fighting spirit mimics your stats and shares any changes to such perfectly (including health!), and has a maximum range of your movement speed halved (rounded up). It will not, however, mimic your equipment. Summoning this spirit requires one Ki point, but as a result, it has free access to Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind. The Fighting Spirit is also immune to any status ailments that target the mind. 

In exchange for more Ki points, it may also use any other Ki-centric abilities that you have at your disposal.

Ethereal Flicker

At 6th level, you begin to unlock some of your Fighting Spirit’s dormant potential. As an action, you may now will your Spirit to partially phase into the ethereal plane, rendering it invisible to anyone incapable of seeing into the aforementioned realm. Paired with this, you now have the ability to see into the Ethereal Plane, and while phasing, your Spirit can interact freely with any of its inhabitants.

Arcane Sutra

At 11th level, your Spirit taps into the very weave itself and brings forth a magical effect most closely associated with it. Choose a fifth level (or lower) spell from all classes’ spell lists. Your Spirit now has access the Arcane Sutra ability with this spell acting as its basis. (WIS is your spellcasting ability for this feature)

By expending Ki equal to that of your chosen spell’s level (cantrips are free), your Spirit calls forth an altered version which better suits both its own and your needs. You may decide with your DM how this spell manifests itself, whether it be something as simple as imbuing an object with Fireball’s explosion, or something as complex as using Eldritch Blast to launch your melee attacks. The only real limits on this are your own creativity and the DM’s final ruling.

Spell Choice

Choose a 5th level or lower spell to use as a basis for your Sutra. Make sure you talk to your DM about how it's been adjusted.

Requiem of the Soul

At 17th level, you finally break through your limits and unlock your Spirit’s ultimate technique; Requiem of the Soul, the features of which are elaborated on further below.  (WIS is your spellcasting ability for this feature)

Choose an 8th or 9th level spell (save for those which alter reality, akin to Wish), and by expending 6 ki points, you cast an altered variant which fits more in line with both you and your Spirit’s theme. Examples of such include a Time Stop which freezes your projectiles, or an Imprisonment which seals targets of your choice within your Spirit itself. Once again, the only limits are your creativity and your DM’s final ruling on the matter.

Spell Choice

Choose an 8th level or 9th level spell to use as a basis for your Spirit's ultimate ability. Make sure you talk to your DM about how it's been adjusted.