Way of the Animals

Monks of the way of the Animals embody the pinnacle of martial arts and wisdom, seeking to perfect their combat skills through a deep understanding of nature and the movements of different creatures.
By blending and alternating between various animal stances, these monks have achieved a fluidity of body and spirit that is unmatched, expanding their Ki and granting them a broad and insightful perspective into the world.
Not only are these monks masters of combat, but they also possess a unique worldview that is shaped by their connection to the animals they emulate. They see the world and those around them through the lens of different creatures, each with its own distinctive characteristics and traits. They might describe someone as cunning as a snake, determined like a tiger, precise like a praying mantis, cunning like a monkey, or unshakable like a dragon. This unique perspective has made the masters of the Way of the Animals be seen as wise sages, sought after by many who seek enlightenment and deeper understanding of the world.

Animal Stance

SWITCHING STANCES
During the initiative roll, you must declare which animal stance you will be in at the start of combat. However, you can switch animal stance throughout battle in three ways:
Spending a Ki Point: During your turn, you may spend 1 Ki Point to switch your animal stance. It does not consume any action and can only be performed once per turn.
Using the Switch Trigger of the Stance you are: If the Switch Trigger occurs, you may perform the Special Reaction described on your current Animal Stace to change to any other animal stance you know. You cannot use the Special Reaction and remain in the same Stance.
Using the Switch Trigger of another stance: If the Switch Trigger of another animal stance you know happens, you may perform the Special Reaction described on that Animal Stace to change your Stance to that same animal.
In summary, you can change your stance either by using Ki points, or:
1- When the Switch Trigger of the Stance you are in hap-pens, you may change to another Stance of your choice.
For example: If you are in the Praying Mantis Stance and a creature within your reach declares a melee attack against you, you may perform an unarmed or monk weapon melee attack against the creature that declared the attack, due to the Praying Mantis Special Reaction. Then you must switch to another Stance you know.
2- When the Switch Trigger of a Stance you have but you are not currently in happens, you may change to that stance.
For example: If you are in the Tiger Stance and a creature within your reach declares an attack against you, you can switch to the Praying Mantis Stance and then perform an unarmed or monk weapon melee attack against the creature that declared the attack, due to the Praying Mantis Special Reaction. Then you must switch to the Praying Mantis Stance.

ANIMAL STANCES

THE CRANE
While in this animal stance, you have a +1 bonus to your AC.
Switch Trigger: A creature within 5 feet of you declares an attack against your ally.
Special Reaction: You can take a reaction to reduce the creature's attack roll by half your proficiency bonus, rounded up.

THE MONKEY
While in this animal stance, you do not spend Ki Points to perform Step of the Wind.
Switch Trigger: If you are hit by an attack made by a creature in your line of sight.
Special Reaction: You can spend your Reaction to halve the damage done by this attack (rounded down).

THE PRAYING MANTIS
While in this animal stance, you can use your bonus action to gain advantage on the next melee attack you make.
Switch Trigger: If a creature within reach declares a melee attack against you.
Special Reaction: You can use your Reaction to make a melee attack, unarmed or using a monk weapon, against the creature that declared the attack before it makes the attack.

THE TIGER
While in this animal stance, you deal one extra Martial Arts die of damage with the first melee attack you hit during your turn.
Switch Trigger: An ally makes an attack against a creature within feet of you.
Special Reaction: You can use your Reaction to make an unarmed strike or a monk weapon attack against that creature.

THE SNAKE
While in this animal stance, your Ki save DC is increased by 2
Switch Trigger: A creature hostile to you moves to a space within 10 feet of you.
Special Reaction: You can use your Reaction to move to that creature immediately; it must make a Dexterity saving throw against your Ki save DC or have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes until the start of your next turn.

THE DRAGON
while you’re in this animal stance, any time you take daman of any kind, it's reduced by an amount equal to your proficiency bonus, but it can't be reduced below 1.
Switch Trigger: An ally within 5 feet of you becomes the
target of an attack (before roll).
Special Reaction: You can use your Reaction to become the target of this attack instead of your ally. If it hits you, any damage taken from this attack is halved (after applying all other forms of damage reduction).

Level 6: Animal Ki

THE CRANE
While in Crane Stance, you can use your reaction and spend
2 Ki Points when you are targeted by an attack (before roll).
This allows you to redirect the attack to another creature of your choice within 5 feet of you, excluding the original at-tacker. There must be a valid target available for you to use this ability, you cannot redirect an attack towards an empty space, the ground, or a wall.

THE MONKEY
While in Monkey Stance, you can spend 1 Ki Point when you perform a Step of the Wind. If you do, you can pass spaces occupied by enemies and do not receive attacks of opportunity while moving. After the move, you can take a Hide action.

THE PRAYING MANTIS
While in Praying Mantis Stance, if a humanoid creature fails its save against your Stunning Strike, you can spend 1 extra Ki Point to make the condition last for 1 minute instead of one turn. The creature can make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect of success.

THE TIGER
While in Tiger Stance, when you perform a Flurry of Blows, you can spend 1 extra Ki Point to perform one extra melee attack. If the attack succeeds, the target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failure, the creature is knocked prone and takes an extra 1d10 damage.

THE SNAKE
While in Snake Stance, if you hit an unarmed strike with advantage against a creature, you
can spend 1 Ki Point to impose a Constitution saving throw the target. On fail, the creature is afflicted by the poisoned condition for 1 minute, during which it takes 1de necrotic damage at the start of each of its turns. The creature
to end the effect.
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns

THE DRAGON
while in Dragon Stance, whenever you make a saving throw, you can spend 1 Ki Point to make it with advantage.

Level 11: Fluid Movements

THE CRANE
When you enter the Crane Stance, until the end of your next turn, the next attack against you has disadvantage.

THE MONKEY
when you enter the Monkey Stance, you gain advantage on the next attack you make until the end of your next turn.

THE PRAYING MANTIS
When you enter the Praying Mantis Stance, the next creature you hit with an attack until the start of your next turn becomes prone.

THE TIGER
When you enter the Tiger Stance, until the end of your next turn, the next attack you hit deals + 1d10 damage.

THE SNAKE
When you enter the Snake Stance, until the end of your next turn, you gain advantage on the next attack you make. If you already have advantage on this attack, it becomes a critical hit if you hit.

THE DRAGON
When you enter the Dragon Stance, until the end of your next turn, all damage reductions incurred by the Dragon stance are doubled.

Animal Awareness

Starting at 17th level, you significantly develop your senses, similar to the animals whose movements define your martial ar. You gain proficiency in Perception and Insight skills; if you are already proficient, double your proficiency bonus in that skill. In addition, you can never be surprised