In a fateful pact with the sinister Oni, you embraced their dark teachings, surrendering to their malevolent influence. Consumed by their twisted power, you metamorphosed into an Oni yourself, forever bound to their nefarious will. Each spell you wield teeters on the edge of chaos, with a precarious 50/50 chance of spiraling out of control, reflecting the unpredictable nature of your dark transformation. Your towering stature commands fear, while your unnerving ability to commune with the deceased through "Speak with Dead" grants you insight into the macabre. As you hone your sinister abilities, your repertoire expands, allowing you to resurrect the fallen with increasing mastery, from the chilling "Raise Dead" at level 5, to the profound "True Resurrection" at the pinnacle of your power. With an inherent advantage in intimidation, you are a harbinger of dread, driven by an unyielding compulsion to thwart all that is good, no matter the cost, embodying the chilling essence of the Oni within the monk

 

Creating a subclass like this for a Monk in D&D sounds like a fascinating concept! Let's break down the features and abilities you've outlined and see how we can translate them into game mechanics:

1. Oni Transformation: This is the core theme of the subclass, representing the monk's transformation into an Oni. Mechanically, you could provide bonuses to certain abilities or stats, such as strength or intimidation. You might also introduce features that reflect the chaotic nature of the transformation, such as gaining temporary hit points when rolling a certain number on a d20, representing the unpredictability of the Oni's power.

2. Speak with Dead: This ability allows the monk to commune with the deceased. Mechanically, you could grant the monk the ability to cast the spell "Speak with Dead" a certain number of times per day without expending a spell slot. This could scale with the monk's level, allowing more uses as they progress.

3. Raise Dead: At level 5, the monk gains the ability to resurrect the fallen. Mechanically, you could allow the monk to cast the spell "Raise Dead" once per long rest without expending a spell slot. This ability could improve at higher levels, allowing the monk to cast more powerful resurrection spells such as "Resurrection" or "True Resurrection" at higher levels.

4. Death's Door: This feature allows the monk to speak with the dead, gaining insight into the macabre. Mechanically, this could be a passive ability that allows the monk to cast "Speak with Dead" without expending a spell slot a certain number of times per day.

5. Intimidation: The monk has an inherent advantage in intimidation. Mechanically, you could grant the monk advantage on Intimidation checks, reflecting their sinister nature and imposing presence.

6. Compulsion to Thwart Good: This represents the monk's alignment and motivations. Mechanically, this could be reflected in role-playing opportunities rather than specific game mechanics. However, you could provide incentives for the monk to act in accordance with their alignment, such as gaining additional abilities or bonuses when acting in a malevolent or destructive manner.

Oni Transformation

3rd Level: Oni Transformation

• You gain a bonus to your Strength score equal to your Wisdom modifier.
• You can use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls with unarmed strikes and monk weapons.
• Whenever you roll a natural 20 on an attack roll, you gain temporary hit points equal to your monk level.

Death's Door

• You gain the ability to cast "Speak with Dead" without expending a spell slot. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1), regaining all uses after finishing a long rest.

Raise Dead

• You gain the ability to cast "Raise Dead" without expending a spell slot. You can use this ability once per long rest.

True Resurrection

• You gain the ability to cast "True Resurrection" without expending a spell slot. You can use this ability once per long rest.

Intimidating Presence

Intimidating Presence: Starting at 3rd level, you have advantage on Intimidation checks.

 

Sinister Compulsion

Sinister Compulsion: Starting at 6th level, when you deal damage to a creature, you can choose to deal necrotic damage instead of the damage type associated with your attack. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

 

Oni's Fury

Oni's Fury: Starting at 11th level, you can channel the power of the Oni to strike fear into your enemies. As an action, you can unleash a terrifying roar, forcing each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw against your monk spell save DC. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

 

Master of Malevolence

Master of Malevolence: At 17th level, your connection to the Oni is at its peak. You gain resistance to necrotic damage, and you can use your action to cast "Dominate Monster" without expending a spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.