Way of the Flowing Ink

Monks who follow the Way of the Flowing Ink channel their ki into intricate tattoos etched onto their skin. These tattoos are more than mere artwork; they come alive in battle, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities. These monks become living canvases of power, wielding their flowing ink to strike foes, protect allies, and enhance their own agility and reach.

Inkbound Manifestation

At 3rd level, you can channel your ki into your tattoos to extend your reach. When you make an unarmed strike, your reach increases by 5 feet. Additionally, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, it takes an extra 1d4 force damage a number of times each turn equal to your wisdom modifier.

Tainted Tools

At 3rd level, as an action, you can cause one of your tattoos to manifest into a simple tool or object (such as a rope, key, or simple weapon) for up to 10 minutes. The object is magical and cannot cause damage unless it is a weapon. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all uses when you finish a long rest.

Living Canvas

At 6th level, your inked skin provides enhanced defense and versatility. You gain the following abilities:

Inked Resilience: When you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to harden your tattoos into an ephemeral shield. You reduce the damage by 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier + your monk level.

Inkstep: Your tattoos flow and shift, allowing you to move with supernatural grace. When you use Step of the Wind, you become incorporeal until the start of your next turn, allowing you to move through creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. If you end your turn inside an object, you are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space and take force damage equal to twice your monk level.

Ink Whirlwind

As an action, you can cause your tattoos to lash out at all creatures of your choice within 15 feet. Each creature must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or take force damage equal to three rolls of your Martial Arts die. On a success, they take half damage. You can use this ability once per long rest unless you spend 3 ki points to use it again.

Eternal Inkflow

At 17th level, your tattoos achieve a state of perfection, granting you unparalleled abilities.

Infinite Reach: Your unarmed strikes' reach increases by an additional 10 feet (for a total of 15 feet beyond normal reach). Additionally, creatures damaged by your unarmed strikes must make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or be pushed back 5 feet.

Living Masterpiece: As an action, you can manifest all of your tattoos into a protective and destructive aura for 1 minute. While this ability is active, you gain the following benefits:

• You gain resistance to all damage except force.

• The extra force damage from your unarmed strikes increases to 3d4.

• When a creature hits you with a melee attack, it takes force damage equal to your Martial Arts die.

Once you use this feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest, unless you spend 6 ki points to use it again.