Way of enlightenment

Monk ; way of enlightenment

Dogma

The Path of Enlightenment was based on a written code of behavior and beliefs believed to have been created by the Celestial Emperor in order that the mortal world and the Celestial Heaven mirror one another in the process of attaining perfection. They admonished people to:

"Honor that which has gone before you. For the past is eternal."

"Honor and respect your Elders and the Ancestors. Show honor in word, thought, action, and deed."

"Speak not false words, nor engage in false deeds, for these are not li."

"Do honor to he who rules you, for the Earth is the Mirror of Heaven, and the Son of Heaven is the mirror of the Celestial One. Be obedient to your lord."

"Engage in no base thing, nor commit murder, for to strike another in the name of anger is not li."

"Do honor to those you must rule, for under the eye of Heaven, they are your equals. Be fair to those you rule."

"Know that all things are One under Heaven, even the lowliest of creatures."

"To make strong the force of the Body, to become one with Heaven in defense of the weak and the defenseless—this is truly li."

In these precepts, li was a term meaning "rightness under heaven". Nine cardinal virtues were also emphasized by the Path: in alphabetical order, these were Artistry, Compassion, Courage, Fidelity, Honor, Karma, Love, Respect for Tradition, and Scholarship..

In summary, the Path encouraged people to obey their superiors; to owe fealty to their lords; and to venerate the past, ancestors, former emperors, and the priests who taught and preserved the Path. Past generations were treated as guardians of the Path. Rather conveniently for those in power, it was an easy way for ruling dynasties to gain people's loyalty.

These Monks reach for a supreme level of purity in body and mind. As they advance in level, they develop two abilities, developing their mind and their bodies. They learn a non-magical form of telepathy where they connect to other creatures' ki and martial arts techniques, honing their bodies.

 

Level 3: Initiate

you gain the ability to speak with animals and other sentient creatures without a language. This is not a magical ability, rather a connection with the creature's ki. You also gain two martial arts maneuvers at 3 , 6, 11 and 17 level.

Each maneuver other than those marked as passive are triggered by spending a ki point.

Choke hold

make an attack roll, on a success you inflict no damage, instead grabbing an opponent of equal or smaller size in this hold. While the hold is in place you may make no other attacks. If your opponent ends their turn with the hold still in place they must make a constitution saving throw. Once they fail two saves they lose consciousness for one round per monk level or until the hold is released or until they take damage. They can break the hold with a successful attack roll against three quarters cover. It has no effect on creatures that do not breathe and some creatures able to attack behind them as easily as in front can ignore the three quarter cover.

 

Circle Kick

In this dramatic kick you build up power by spinning in a complete circle. On a successful hit, base damage is two rolls of your martial arts die.

 

Crushing Fist

Crushing fist ( prerequisite 6 level ) you make one attack as an action, on a hit it causes base damage equal to three rolls of your martial arts die and crushes small objects of wood or even non-magical stone. On a fail you temporarily injure yourself, your next unarmed attack is at disadvantage.

 

Feint

you may sacrifice one attack to feint, gaining advantage on your next attack roll.

 

Flying Kick

you run at least five feet before leaping into the air. On a successful hit, base damage is three rolls of your martial arts die. On a miss you fall prone.

 

Immovability (passive)

you have advantage on saves and checks against being lifted, pushed or knocked prone.

 

Iron Fist (passive)

your unarmed attacks inflict +2 damage.

 

Locking Block

designate that you are using this technique before making the attack roll. On a success you trap your opponents weapon instead of inflicting damage. While it is in place either party can only move by pushing the other until the hold or weapon is released. You can continue to make unarmed attacks only ( kicks ) and they cannot use their weapon until they free it with a successful attack roll. If you miss with your locking block attack you instead take damage as if hit by the weapon.

 

One Finger (passive)

One Finger ; ( passive ) you gain a limited form of telekinesis equivalent to the mage hand cantrip.

 

Pain Touch

Pain touch ; declare before making your attack roll, on a hit you inflict no damage instead causing the victim to feel as if they are on fire. While the effect is in place they are at disadvantage on all of their attack rolls. They may make a constitution saving throw at the end of each turn to end it and it has a maximum duration of a number of rounds equal to your proficiency bonus.

 

Prone Fighting (passive)

Prone Fighting ; ( passive ) you do not suffer disadvantage on attack rolls made when prone.

 

Speed

Speed ; ( prerequisite 6 level ) once per day as an action you may harness your ki to put on a burst of speed. It functions in every way as a haste spell except that it is not magical in nature so cannot be countered or dispelled however you may not be effected by a haste spell and this ability at the same time. Triggered by spending a ki point.

Level 6: Master

You can send telepathic messages to any creature you can see within 30 feet of you. You don’t need to share a language with the creature for it to understand these messages.

 

Level 11: Superior Master

you gain resistance to psychic damage.

 

Level 17: Grand Master of Flowers

you gain the ability to speak with plants at will.