Way of the Pilfer

 

Monks who follow the Way of the Pilfer walk a path not of serenity, but of shadows and spoils. They are nimble opportunists, trained to slip through chaos and claim what others leave behind—especially the arcane. Where most monks seek inner peace, Pilfer monks seek power in the wreckage of battle, scavenging magical items from the fallen and repurposing them with uncanny instinct.

Their discipline is not in restraint, but in precision. Every movement is calculated to disarm, distract, and disappear. They don’t study magic—they steal it. A Pilfer monk can snatch a wand mid-incantation, crack open a cursed relic, or vanish with a scroll before its owner hits the ground. Their bodies are honed like blades, but their minds are wired for mischief.

Level 3: Fast Hand Technique

As a Bonus Action, you can do one of the following.

• Sleight of Hand. Make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to pick a lock or disarm a trap with Thieves’ Tools or to pick a pocket.

• Use an Object. Take the Utilize action, or take the Magic action to use a magic item that requires that action.

When using Magic Items, you can replace the used ability modifier with wisdom.

Level 6: Like a Spider

You’ve trained to get into especially hard-to-reach places, granting you these benefits.

• Climber. You gain a Climb Speed equal to your Speed.

• Jumper. You can determine your jump distance using your Dexterity rather than your Strength.

Level 11: Pillage the Arcane

• Attunement. You can attune to up to four magic items at once.

• Charges. Whenever you use a magic item property that expends charges, roll 1d6. On a roll of 6, you use the property without expending the charges.

• Scrolls. You can use any Spell Scroll, using Intelligence as your spellcasting ability for the spell. If the spell is a cantrip or a level 1 spell, you can cast it reliably. If the scroll contains a higher-level spell, you must first succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC 10 plus the spell’s level). On a successful check, you cast the spell from the scroll. On a failed check, the scroll disintegrates.

Level 17: Survival Instinct

You are adept at laying ambushes and quickly escaping danger. You can take two turns during the first round of any combat. You take your first turn at your normal Initiative and your second turn at your Initiative minus 10.