Way of Bones

“The way of the flesh is rarely considered a true monastic tradition by other monks.

“This might be because it often doesn’t start as one, many “monks” that follow this way find themselves set on it by chance. Arcane experiments gone wrong, torture through magic, irrevocable change to the body through plane hopping, these are just a few of the reasons why start their journey through this way. There are, however, monasteries, families, and clans where the way of the flesh is taught as a tradition, but the unsightly and uncanny results of the practice are often looked down upon as barbaric and unnatural by other monks that follow what are considered more “noble” ways.

 “Monks of the Flesh find common ground with other monastic traditions in that they focus their life energy, their ki as some call it, to use their bodies as weapons, but the similarities end there. The way of the flesh takes this approach to its most literal extreme, calling its disciples to push through the pain and dislocate their limbs, manipulate their blood flow, and even wield their own bones as blades to dominate the battlefield. Mastery of the body does not end within the bounds of what the body can do in its natural state for those that follow the way of the flesh, but rather into twisting it to one’s needs.

“Monks of the flesh disregard control over their body, seeking instead complete and total body subjugation.”

House of Bone

At 3rd level, you attain a remarkable mastery over your body, transforming it into a lethal weapon against anyone who dares to draw near.

When a creature makes a melee attack against you, you can expend 1 ki point as a reaction to manifest bone armor from your body, erupting in sharp, jagged spikes. This sudden surge of armor not only fortifies your defenses but also enables you to launch a counterattack, delivering a swift unarmed strike that pierces through your opponent’s defenses. As you do so, your AC increases by 1 until the end of the turn.

Body Virtuosity

At 6th level, you unlock an extraordinary command over your body, enabling you to twist and contort in ways that defy the limits of normal anatomy. With this newfound mastery, your form becomes a living weapon, fluid and agile, capable of striking from surprising distances and flowing effortlessly through the chaos of battle.

As you unleash an unarmed strike, your limbs seem to extend beyond their natural limits, your reach increasing by 5 feet. This uncanny ability allows you to catch foes off guard, delivering swift, unexpected blows that leave them reeling. Your movements are so fluid that opponents find it nearly impossible to restrain you; grappling becomes an exercise in futility as you slip from their grasp with ease.

Even when knocked to the ground, you rise with the grace of a coiled spring. Standing up from the prone position requires only a mere 10 feet of movement, allowing you to regain your footing and continue the fight without missing a beat.

Note: However, this extended reach only applies to your unarmed strikes; it does not enhance the range of any martial weapons or monk weapons you wield.

Flesh and Bone

Blood Flow Mastery

At 17th level, your mastery over your body reaches its zenith, granting you the ability to increase blood flow to any wound, enabling you to heal yourself at an unnatural speed.

When you receive any form of healing, you can spend 3 ki points to maximize the healing from the rolled dice, drawing on your inner reserves of vitality to restore yourself fully. Your body becomes a conduit of resilience, mending wounds with remarkable swiftness.

For example, when you consume a Potion of Healing (2d4+2), you can spend 3 ki points to heal the maximum of 10 hit points, allowing you to bounce back from adversity and continue the fight with renewed vigor.