“Cultivation is an act against nature’s will. Thus, cultivators must endure tribulation.” 

The first monks to practice the way of the Immortal were clan nobles attempting to achieve an eternal existence. They believed that by drawing and cultivateing energy from the universe itself one could sustain and rejuvinate themselves indefinetely. Thus, they became known as cultivators. Those who have achieved immortality by these means can be counted on one hand and endured countless tribulations. Since its beginnings the tradition has grown and evolved, however, and many other advantages were discovered. For instance, those who cultivate ki in this way can create a number of effects by projecting or imbuing it in patterns known as spiritual Arrays, and even a humble tool can become a powerful weapon through the imbuing of ki. Now monks practice the Immortal way for a number of reasons: to project ki into healing or divination, to harness the power of the physical world, or even to gain strength from suffering. 

Monks who practice the way of the Immortal cultivate ki in a way that diverges from other traditions. Cultivators draw energy not only from within themselves, but also from their surroundings. They learn to both harness and channel ki from and into the world around them. There are three methods, three arts, learned to accomplish this. 

Most cultivators focus on channeling ki within themselves to form a golden core from which their ki can be drawn and imbued back into their surroundings. Others focus on becoming a conduit, drawing on the energies of wind, wood, steel, fire, or water to bolster their physical body and fighting prowess. These are the internal and external arts.  

The third path, far less accepted but no less traveled, is the demonic art. Some monks choose to cultivate a form of corrupted ki. This ki is not life energy but resentful energy, drawn from corpses, spirits, and blood itself. Though it can be quite powerful when used creativily, resentful energy damages the mind, body, and soul of its wielder. There have been no exceptions. Yet both the internal and external arts take time and talent, and even a weak monk can draw on resentful energy. 

Spiritual Weapons and Tools

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain the ability to imbue weapons and tools with ki, through which you can channel it into Arrays. These become your spiritual weapons. Though the sword is the most common, others may work as well. The use of tools like fans, whips, or various instruments may also accompany the use of a spiritual weapon. 

As the master must agree with the blade the blade must agree with the master. These tools may grow with you in your cultivation, though you may find suitable replacements in your travels. You gain the following benefits.  

Elegant Weapons. You gain proficiency with longswords, including the Jian (Jabbing) and Dao (Saber) long sword variants, dealing piercing and slashing respectfully. These are the traditional weapons of cultivators and now count as monk weapons. To assist in night hunts, and as one of the six gentry arts, many cultivators also practice archery. You gain proficiency with long bows.  

Sword Spirits. Through the imbuing of ki, a sword or weapon gains certain properties accessible only to cultivators of certain techniques. You may choose one monk weapon and one tool (such as a fan, horsetail whisk, instrument, or even a shovel) to bond with. You may spend an hour bonding to a new weapon or tool. Doing so breaks your previous spiritual bond. Both your weapon or tool act as a focus for your spiritual Arrays.

Cultivation Arts

Though there are many orders, sects, and monasteries which teach various manners of ki cultivation, there are three main arts: Internal, External, and Demonic. One needn’t cultivate only one, but focusing on a variety of techniques can prevent a cultivator from reaching the peak of any art.  

Cultivation Base

At 3rd level you may choose a base for your cultivation. 

 

Demonic Base

Also known as the ghost path, the path of Demonic cultivation is considered improper cultivation, as it focuses on cultivating resentful, corpse energy. It is a twisted path that risks the corruption of the mind and spirit, but with the right ingenuity, even the least talented cultivator can advance with it. Upon choosing this base, you gain proficiency in Arcana or one extra monk skill of your choice. You also add your Martial die to any damage caused by your talismans.

External Base

Easily the most direct of the paths to achieving an immortal body, it is in no way the easiest. External cultivators focus on the refinement of their body and battle senses, exhibiting absolute control over their blade, even at a distance. With this base you gain proficiency with one nonheavy, nonspecial martial weapon of your choice, counting as a monk weapon, that you may use as your spiritual weapon. For a number of times equal to your half your monk level (rounded down), on a hit you may make a Martial strike. You add your Martial die to the damage of your spiritual weapon. You regain all uses of this ability on a long rest. 

Internal Base

Cultivators of this art hone their minds and spirit alongside their body, focusing on the memorization of sutras, scriptures, and spell formations called Arrays. If you choose this base you gain proficiency in one portable instrument of your choice (such as flute, dizi/long flute, or guqin). You can also add your Martial die to the healing and damage of your spiritual Arrays. (This does not apply to your talismans.)

Arrays and Talismans

Monks of this tradition, while learning battle formations and honing their body, also learn to harness and project ki in spell formations known as Arrays. By understanding the flow of the world’s energy and through the use of various hand positions and your spiritual tools you can control the ki in and around you, even extending that control to others with talismans.

Master of Spiritual Arrays  

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn magical arrays to aid you in combat and in the honing of your skills. While focused on a single art you are able to learn the Arrays specialized by that art. If you deviate from the path and learn techniques from another, however, the specialized Arrays of higher level become unavailable to you.  

Casting an Array requires you to spend ki points, though known simple Arrays can be cast at will. At 3rd level you learn one simple Array of your choice, such as the Spirit Flame Array or the specialized simple Array of your Cultivation Base. (Such as the Guiding Verse Array of the Internal base.) You also learn one full Array of your choice, detailed in the “Spiritual Arrays” section below. You learn one additional Array of your choice at 6th, 11th, and 17th level.  

Whenever you choose a new Array you can also replace ones you already know with different Arrays. You can also replace one Array at the end of a long rest. It must have the same level requirements. 

When you reach 5th level, you may spend ki points to increase the level of an Array, provided the Array has an enhanced effect at higher levels. The Array’s level increases by 1 for each additional ki point spent.  

The maximum number of ki points you can spend to increase an Array’s level (including the base cost and any additional ki points spent) is determined by your monk level, as shown in the Arrays and Ki points table below.  

When an Array has a DC or requires you to make a spell attack or add a modifier, use your wisdom as your spell modifier.  

  

Transcribing Talismans  

Some Arrays can be transcribed onto thin strips of paper or cloth and imbued with spiritual or resentful energy to create talismans. When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies to make talismans with.  

To create five talismans requires a vial of ink or cinnabar (worth at least 10 gold) and some flat, clean material to serve as the tag, whether it be paper or something else. To transcribe an Array, it doesn’t have to be one of your prepared Arrays, but it must be one which you meet the level and art requirements for. A monk can make up to 1+1d4 talismans as part of a long rest. While you can make as many talismans as you have time and resources to, only 1+your wisdom modifier can be imbued with spiritual energy at a time. Any extra talismans created while your maximum number are imbued are created as inert talismans. Creating 1+1d4 talismans outside of a long rest takes one hour. If not done when transcribing a talisman, imbuing an inert talisman takes thirty minutes per talisman. Imbuing the talisman takes the same amount of ki that would be required to cast the Array. Talismans last until used or destroyed. Once used, a talisman burns away to fine ash. 

Talismans can be used by cultivating monks, like the one that created them, with ease but can also be utilized by others with a successful Arcana check. A cultivator can also inform others of how to use a specific type of talisman when giving it to them, granting them advantage on Arcana checks made to use that talisman. 

The DC of the Arcana check is determined by the level requirement of the Array.  

Simple – DC 10  

6th level – DC 12  

11th level – DC 14  

17th level – DC 16  

Cultivation Techniques

At 6th level, you learn more techniques to enhance your cultivation of spiritual or resentful energy. You are not obligated to choose a technique from the same art as your base, but certain Arrays can only be used by cultivators of specific arts. 

Demonic Technique

Though it may seem like a foul shortcut to many, you have learned to use blood and skin as effectively as ink and parchment.  You can now create talismans without material components. Instead, roll your Martial die for each 1+1d4 talismans made and take that out of your max HP until your next long rest. If made as part of a long rest, your max HP is still reduced until the next long rest. 

External Technique

Through the use of special sword arrays, you gain the ability to activate your weapon’s spirit, commanding at a distance as though it were still in your hand. At the cost of 2 ki, you can send your spiritual weapon up to 15 feet away from you to fight for 1 minute. It automatically stays within 15 feet of you, being pulled along as though connected by an invisible string. You may command it to stay in one spot, i.e. at someone’s throat, but it takes your actions to attack. It attacks as though you were attacking with it yourself. You may ready it and use it to perform the help action (only to give advantage against a target creature).

Internal Technique

Your dedication to understanding spiritual energy allows you to learn one additional Array of your choice that you meet the requirements for.

Fly the Sword

At 11th level, you gain the ability to fly on your spiritual weapon. As an action you can expend 4 ki and throw out your weapon, jumping atop it. While flying in this way you gain the effect of the Fly spell for an hour. You may carry one other medium or smaller creature with you. If the combined weight atop the sword exceeds 200 pounds, your flying speed is halved. If the weight exceeds 400 pounds, the sword can do no more than hover 5 feet off the ground. If you are pushed or dragged off your sword, it falls with you. 

At 17th level, you can add an additional 15 feet to your flying speed while flying on your weapon.

Advanced Techniques

At 11th level, you are able to learn more advanced techniques as your cultivation progresses. You may choose which of the three arts to learn advanced techniques in.

Advanced Demonic Technique

The resentment within calls to the resentment without. You can now cast Speak With Dead at will, but the spirits of the dead may also speak to you at will. Teeming with resentful energy, you are now able have additional imbued talismans, 3+wisdom modifier. 

Advanced External Technique

If you learned the External technique at 6th level, you gain an additional 15 feet, for a total of 30 feet, at which you can control your weapon. You can also call your weapon to you if it is within 90 feet of you, though it can’t pass through sturdy or indestructible barriers. If you cultivated a different technique, you gain the 15 feet to control your sword as described in the previous External Technique.

Advanced Internal Technique

Your dedication to understanding spiritual energy allows you to learn one additional Array of your choice that you meet the requirements for. You may also learn one additional simple Array.

Immortal Body

Though the aim of many cultivators is true ascension, the greatest achievement in the cultivation world is usually the attainment of an immortal body. Through years of circulating and harnessing spiritual energy from both within yourself and your surroundings, at 17th level, your body will no longer die of old age.  

In addition, your spiritual weapon and tool also become magically indestructible, either shattering or sealing themselves from the use of others, should you die.  

Spiritual Arrays

Arrays and Ki Points

Monk Levels              Maximum Points for an Array

5th - 8th                       3

9th - 12th                    4

13th - 16th                  5

17th - 20th                  6

 

 

Spiritual Arrays 

The Arrays are shown by level and art requirements. Only Arrays with the talisman tag (t) may be used to create talismans.  

                     General Cultivation                   Internal                                External                                Demonic  

Simple:         Spirit Flame (t)                        Guiding Verse                     Basic Defense                    Corpse  Resilience         

                      Flowing Spirit  

3rd               Personal Warding (t)              Spirit Inquiry                       Sword Glare                        Resentful Curse (t)  

Monk           Warning (t)  

Level           Shield  

                    Splitting Arrow  

                   Ki Transference  

  

6th             Spirit Confounding (t)                 Barrier                                 Ki Blade                               Discord (t)  

Monk        Resentment Dispersal  

Level  

  

11th          Advanced Warding (t)                Soul Inquiry                         Spirit Bolstering                Corpse Rousing 

Monk        Energy Dispersal                        Harmony                              Fierce  Sword Glare          Life Cursing (t)

Level        Curse Dispersal  

  

17th           Temporary Seal (t)  

Monk         Distance                                   Heavenly Inquiry                   Steel Wind Strike                Wave of Resentment 

Level         Demon Confounding (t)         Communication 

Advanced Warding (t)

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 min  

Requires 11th level monk  

When not cast with talismans, requires a vial of ink or cinnabar.  

Allows you to create a spell formation with the effects of Magic Circle, taking the full minute to set up even if it is cast with talismans.  

Barrier

Cost: 3 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 6th level monk, Internal base, and Internal technique  

Lasts up to 10 min, requiring concentration  

You project your ki outward, causing spiritual energy to whirl around you in a 10ft radius that moves with you, remaining centered on you.  

The energy has the following effects:  

• It prevents vapor, gas, and fog that could be dispersed by a strong wind from entering or obstructing the area of effect.  

• The area becomes difficult terrain for creatures of your choice other than yourself as your spirit forces them away.  
• Ranged attack rolls have disadvantage if they pass in or out of the area of effect.  

Basic Defense

Cost: At will  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires the External base  

A simple defensive Array that grants the effects of Blade Ward.

Communication

Cost: 5 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk, the Internal base, Internal technique, and Advanced Internal technique

Lasts for an hour  

Your understanding of the energies that flow through all beings allows you to project your ki outward into others, forming ties between the spirits of those around you. For the duration, you act as a conduit for the thoughts of up to eight willing creatures of your choice within 30 ft while casting the Array. You and any creature affected by the link may communicate telepathically across any distance without needing to share a common language, though you cannot maintain the link across other planes of existence.  

Corpse Resilience

Cost: At will  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires the Demonic base  

A Demonic cultivator can cause a small surge of powerful resentment within themselves or another creature, willing or unwilling, granting the effects of Resistance.  

Corpse Rousing

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 min  

Requires 11th level monk, Demonic base, Demonic technique, and advanced Demonic technique  

By stirring up the resentful energy in relatively fresh corpses, a cultivator of the Demonic path can cast an Array to create a zombie as with the effects of Animate Dead, though you may only have up to three raised at a time.  

Curse Dispersal

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 11th level monk  

By circulating ki through a person or an object, you cast an Array with the effects of Remove Curse.  

Demon Confounding (t)

Cost: 6 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk  

Lasts up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Projecting your spiritual or resentful energy outward to disrupt the spirit of a creature, you cast an Array with the effects of Hold Monster, which can even affect undead.  

Discord (t)

Cost: 3 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 6th level monk, Demonic base, and Demonic technique  

You imbue your target with resentful energy, assaulting and confounding their spirit. This Array has the effects of Crown of Madness.  

Distance

Cost: 8 ki  

Cast Time: 1 round  

Requires 17th level monk  

Requires a vial of ink or cinnabar worth at least 10 gold to draw.

You draw an Array over a door or entryway to a place you wish to return to, linked to one you have drawn before or to a known Teleportation Circle. With a ki point you may activate the Array, which remains active until the end of your next turn. While active, any creature that passes through the doorway is teleported to the linked location. Once the duration is up, the ink, cinnabar, or blood used to draw the Array burns away.  

Energy Dispersal

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 11th level monk  

By channeling your ki into a creature, object, or area, you can forcibly disperse other magical energies as with the effects of Dispel Magic.  

Fierce Sword Glare

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 bonus action  

Requires 11th level monk, External base, External technique, and advanced External technique

Lasts for up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Fueled by your spiritual energy, your sword glare shines brilliantly. The next time you hit a creature with your spiritual weapon during the duration, it flares with bright light and deals an extra 2d6 of its damage type. Additionally, the target must succeed on a Con saving throw or be blinded until the Array ends.  

For every additional ki point spent after the initial cost you can deal an extra d6 of damage to the original target or to the next target you hit with your attack action.  

Flowing Spirit

Cost: At will  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Through your training, you are keenly aware of the energies within and without and can direct their flow to a small extent. This simple Array has the same effect as the Gust cantrip.

Guiding Verse

Cost: At will  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires the Internal base  

Drawing upon your understanding of the spirit, mind, and body gained in your study of scriptures and sutras, you gain or grant the effect of Guidance.  

Harmony

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 bonus action  

Requires 11th level monk, Internal base, Internal technique, and advanced Internal technique  

Relying on the resonance of your spiritual tool, you send forth a wave of energy healing up to six creatures around you as with the effects of Mass Healing Word.

Heavenly Inquiry

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk, Internal base, Internal technique, and advanced Internal technique  

Channeling ki through your spiritual tool, you call on celestial spirits to inform you of a person, place, or object as with the effects of Legend Lore.

Ki Blade

Cost: 3 ki  

Cast Time: 1 bonus action  

Requires 6th level monk, External base, and External technique  

Lasts up to 1 minute, requiring concentration  

You will your ki to manifest into a blade of pure spiritual energy in your hand. This blade last until the Array ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 force damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). If you drop the weapon or throw it, it dissipates at the end of the turn. While the Array persists, you can use a bonus action to cause the blade to reappear in your hand.  

Ki Transference

Cost: 1 ki for spiritual or 3 ki for resentful

Cast Time: 1 action  

You channel your spiritual or resentful energy into a creature you touch. If you channel spiritual energy into the target, it is healed for 1d6 + your wisdom modifier. If you have cultivated one of the Demonic base, technique, or advanced technique you can only channel resentful energy into the target and must make a melee spell attack roll against the creature. On a hit the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage.  

For every additional ki spent after the first add an additional d6 to the healing or damage.  

Life Cursing (t)

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 11th level monk, Demonic base, Demonic technique, and advanced Demonic technique  

Last up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Through touch, you force resentful energy into a creature cursing it as with the effects of Bestow Curse.  

Personal Warding (t)

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Lasts up to 10 min, requiring concentration  

You imbue a willing creature with your ki, protecting them from harmful energies and spirits as with the effects of Protection from Evil and Good.  

Resentful Curse (t)

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires the Demonic base  

Lasts up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Imbuing up to three creatures of your choice resentful energy that pollutes their spirit, you cast an Array with the effects of Bane.

Resentment Dispersal

Cost: 3 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 6th level monk  

By circulating ki through a person or an object, you cast an Array with the effects of Lesser Restoration.

Shield

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 reaction  

As a reaction you can erect a brief defensive Array that has the effect of the Shield spell.

Soul Inquiry

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 11th level monk, Internal base, Internal technique, and advanced Internal technique  

Channeling ki though your spiritual tool, you rouse the residual spiritual energy of a corpse to answer questions as with the effects of Speak With Dead. Unlike Speak With Dead, however, it may be used on otherwise mute undead within the other parameters of the spell.

Spirit Bolstering

Cost: 4 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 11th level monk, External base, External technique, and advanced External technique  

Lasts up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Spiritual energy surges from you, stirring the energies in your allies. This Array has the effects of Crusader’s Mantle.

Spirit Confounding (t)

Cost: 3 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 6th level monk  

Lasts up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

Projecting your spiritual or resentful energy outward to disrupt the spirit of a person, you cast an Array with the effects of Hold Person.

Spirit Flame (t)

Cost: At will  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Lasts 10 min  

Using your ki as a spark, you can ignite a blue, golden, or green flame that flickers in your hand for the duration or until you extinguish it with an action. While in your hands it harms neither you nor your equipment, though it can be used to light flammable material that’s not worn or carried. You may also use the flame to attack, when you ignite it or as an action on a later turn, by using it to ignite the energies in a creature within 30ft of you. The target must make a Constitution saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  

This damage increases when you reach 6th (2d8), 11th (3d8), and 17th (4d8).  

Spirit Inquiry

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 min  

Requires the Internal base  

You call upon the spirit of an item or creature to determine what energy resides within and what purpose it serves. This Array has the effects of Identify.  

Splitting Arrow

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

You throw or fire a dart or arrow, imbuing it with ki, as you cast this Array. Just before the projectile is launched, two more ethereal copies of the projectile appear beside it. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 extra of the weapon’s damage type.  

For each additional ki used to cast the Array, the target takes 1d6 more damage.

Steel Wind Strike

Cost: 6 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk, External base, External technique, and advanced External technique  

Spiritual power surges both within your expertly honed body and your spiritual weapon, allowing you to cast an Array with the effect of the Steel Wind Strike spell.  

Sword Glare

Cost: 2 ki  

Cast Time: 1 bonus action  

Requires the External base  

Lasts up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

The next time you hit a creature with your spiritual weapon, you inflict 1d6 more damage of that weapons type. For every additional ki point spent to cast the Array, you can deal another d6 of damage to that creature or any others you hit as a part of the same attack action.

Temporary Seal (t)

Cost: 5 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk  

Last up to 1 min, requiring concentration  

You create a physical manifestation of your spiritual or resentful energy in order to suppress the spirit of one creature as with the effects of Ottiluke’s Resilient Sphere. This manifestation may take on the form of a bell, ceramic jar, or some other vessel you or your monastery, sect, or clan used to seal spirits.

Warning (t)

Cost: 1  

Cast Time: 1 min  

Setting up a series of small Arrays or talismans, you create a system of spiritual energy that will alert when it is disturbed such as with the effect of the Alarm spell.

Wave of Resentment

Cost: 6 ki  

Cast Time: 1 action  

Requires 17th level monk, Demonic base, Demonic technique, and advanced Demonic technique  

You send a wave of resentful energy at a creature, overwhelming its spirit in an attempt to disperse any spiritual energy and fill it with resentment. This Array has the effects of Negative Energy Flood.