True Way

A common goal of the True Way monks' practice is self-cultivation resulting in a deeper appreciation of the Tao, and thus a more harmonious existence. There are different formulations of Taoist ethics, but there is generally emphasis on virtues such as effortless action, naturalness or spontaneity, simplicity, and the three treasures of compassion, frugality, and humility. Due to the loose manner of understanding in this practice, the discipline of these monks are diverse and varied but slowly converges with deeper understanding.

Eight Trigrams (八卦)

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn 2 of the 8 trigrams' effects to open their prospective 'gates'. You can spend 1 ki point to activate their abilities impose the following effects on that target for the corresponding trigram on a successful hit.

Death (死門)

Target must succeed on a Constituion saving throw to reduce your hit points to half of its current value (rounded down) or its hit points will be reduced to zero.

Harm (傷門)

Target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or this attack is considered a critical hit. If it is already a critical hit, you gain a free attack on the target.

Life (生門)

You regain 1 hit point each point damage dealt on this attack, up to your class level.

For example, a 4th level monk deals 5 damage can recover only 4 hit points while a 16th level monk dealing 14 damage recovers 14 hit points.

Open (開門)

Target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be pushed back 15 feet away from you and knocked prone.

Rest (休門)

You may choose to recover 1 ki point for reduction of every 2 damage dealt on the target.

Seal (杜門)

Target must make a Strength saving throw. If it fails, it cannot move away from you until you move away from it or perform any actions that will cause it to move it away from you.

Shock (驚門)

Target must succeed on a Intelligence saving throw or can’t take any actions until the end of your next turn.

Vision (景門)

Target must succeed on an Charisma saving throw or attack its nearest ally until the end of your next turn.

Four Auspices (四象)

Beginning at 6th level, you learn two advanced techniques of this tradition. You learn another technique at levels 11 and 17.

Azure Dragon (青龍)

On a critical hit, you may deal additional 1d4 force damage per ki point spent.

Black Tortoise (玄武)

As a reaction, you may reduce damage dealt to you or any target of your choice within 5 feet from you by 1 hit point per ki point spent.

Crimson Phoenix (朱雀)

As a bonus action, you may spend 1 ki point to change the reach of all your melee attacks performed this round into 10 feet cone.

White Tiger (白虎)

During movement phase, you may increase movement speed by 10 feet or jump height by 5 feet for each ki point spent.

Two Presences (兩儀)

Starting from 11th level, you learn one of the two techniques of Yin and Yang that can be used once per short rest.

Claw of Violent Yin (烈陰爪)

Changes your unarmed attack from bludgeoning to slashing and ncreases the damage of your next successful hit by 2 necrotic damage per ki point spent. For the next minute, the target will have disadvantage on all its attacks.

Palm of Pure Yang (純陽掌)

Increases the damage of your next successful hit by 2 radiant damage per ki point spent. For the next minute, all attacks on the target will have advantage.

Ultimate Extreme (太極)

At 17th level, you break the normal limit of the already superhuman levels of enlightened monkhood.

Once per long rest, you may spend 5 ki points to activate this ability for 1 minute.

During this period:

• change your martial arts die from 1d10 to 1d20
• you land critical hits with a roll of natural 18 and above
• you may move pass any creature or obstacle that provides half cover without any penalties or provoke attacks of opportunity
• any attacks on you are made with disadvantage