Way of the Yamabushi

Monks of the Way of the Yamabushi are ascetic mountain hermits who seek to harness supernatural powers by following the Tenets of the Gendō.

TENETS OF THE GENDŌ

The tenets of the Gendō have been preserved for uncounted centuries. This oath emphasizes the principles of balance above any concerns of law or chaos. Its four central principles are simple.

Hope. Where there is good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world, stand against the wickedness that would swallow it. Where life flourishes, stand against the forces that would render it barren.

Joy. Delight in song and laughter, in beauty and art. If you allow the light to die in your own heart, you can’t preserve it in the world.

Courage. You must be willing to do what needs to be done for the sake of balance, even in the face of overwhelming odds. If you don’t act, then who will?

Responsibility. You must deal with the consequences of your actions, and you are responsible for fulfilling your duties and obligations.

A Yamabushi sees the supernatural as something to be obtained, not merely revered. They believe that all gods were once mortals who used their power to ascend to a higher plane of existence.

Way of the Yamabushi Features

Yamabushi Weapon Training

At 3rd level, your training with the samurai has honed your ability to fight with a long blade (such as the katana). You gain proficiency with longswords if you don’t already have it. Longswords are also are monk weapons for you.

Spellcasting

Cantrips and Spells Known

You learn the guidance cantrip and your choice between the druidcraft, produce flame, sacred flame, shillelagh, spare the dying, and thaumaturgy cantrips. You learn an additional one of these cantrips at 11th level.

You also learn the 1st-level spell bless.

Creating Spell Slots with Ki Points

To cast one of your yamabushi spells, you must spend ki points. Each spell has a point cost based on its level. The Ki Point Cost table summarizes the cost in ki points of slots from 1st to 5th level. Cantrips don’t require slots and therefore don’t require ki points.

You expend a number of ki points to create a spell slot of a given level, and then use that slot to cast a spell.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell bless and have a 3 ki points available, you can cast bless as a 1st-level spell for 2 ki points or a 2nd-level spell using 3 ki points.

Ki Point Costs

Spellcasting Ability

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your yamabushi spells, since they are revealed to you as a part of your faith and your fellowship with other races and sages. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a yamabushi you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Spellcasting Focus

Due to your yamabushi training, your spirit functions as a spellcasting focus for your yamabushi spells.

Shillelagh

You learn the produce flame cantrip.

Druidcraft

You learn the druidcraft cantrip.

Produce Flame

You learn the produce flame cantrip.

Sacred Flame

You learn the sacred flame cantrip.

Spare the Dying

You learn the spare the dying cantrip.

Thaumaturgy

You learn the thaumaturgy cantrip.

Aspects of the Sages

At 3rd level, you internalize the wisdom and stances taught to you by many races, monasteries, and sages.

Aspects

You learn two of the following aspects, and learn two additional aspects at levels 6 and 11. You may assume an aspect you know as an action, and it lasts until you are incapacitated or assume a different aspect.

While you embody an aspect, you have certain bonuses granted by it. Additionally, when you learn an aspect, you also learn certain spells along with it.

Aspect of the Githzerai

The Githzerai are the thoughtful, yet indomitable, sages of Limbo. They pursue a path of peace in its chaos, and have developed formidable mental defenses against its horrors.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the comprehend languages and guiding bolt spells.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• Whenever you use Patient Defense, you may spend an additional 2 ki points to cast a cantrip as part of its Dodge action.
• You can cast any yamabushi spell you know as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag.

Aspect of the Kitsune

Distant cousins of the Hengeyokai, the Kitsune are the epitome of grace and subtlety. Few outsiders can call them friends, and fewer still have seen their homeland. But their friendship is worth the price.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the disguise self and hunter's mark spells.

While you embody this stance, you gain the following benefits:

• When you cast a spell, you can cast it without any somatic or verbal components.
• You have advantage on checks you make to disarm traps or open locks.

Aspect of the Monkey King

The Monkey King is the most enigmatic sage of the mountains. According to him, he has founded nations, slain gods, and looked into the expanse beyond the universe. Most frighteningly, it seems at least half of what he says is true.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the grease spell and a 1st-level spell from the ranger spell list.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
• You have a climb speed equal to your speed.

Aspect of the Samurai

The Samurai are the closest allies of the Yamabushi, and the most masterful swordsmen of all the planes. The Samurai share their knowledge of the blade, and in turn the Yamabushi share their knowledge of what lies beyond.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the divine favor spell and one 1st-level spell from the paladin spell list.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• You can add your proficiency bonus to your initiative rolls.
• You may spend 1 ki point as a reaction to immediately switch to a different aspect you know.

Aspect of the Seven Sages

The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove are the first Yamabushi to ascend to the higher plane. Revered for their ancient wisdom, they are masterful healers and skilled in a wide variety of arts.

When you learn this aspect, you learn two 1st-level spells from the cleric spell list and one 1st-level spell from the druid spell list.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• You have advantage on Wisdom checks.

Aspect of the Sōhei

The Sōhei are a monastic order of grace and balance, seemingly able to defy the laws of gravity and unparalleled in unarmed combat.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the absorb elements and longstrider spells.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• When you make a standing long jump or a standing high jump you can cover a number of feet up to half your walking speed.
• You gain a bonus to attack rolls made with your unarmed strikes equal to half of your proficiency bonus (rounded down).

Aspect of the Tortle

The Tortles are a nomadic people, eager to experience the ancient wonders of the world. Each generation preserves the skills and wisdom passed down from its parents, and is happy to share them with friends.

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the shield and speak with animals spells.

While you embody this aspect, you gain the following benefits:

• You know the distance and direction to the nearest accessible treasure hoard within 100 miles.
• You have a swim speed equal to your speed. This does not convey the ability to breathe underwater.

Greater Aspect of the Githzerai

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Githzerai

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the detect thoughts spell and a 2nd-level spell from the warlock spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Githzerai, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You have advantage on Wisdom saving throws.
• You have resistance to psychic damage and immunity to the charmed condition.

Greater Aspect of the Kitsune

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Kitsune

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the find traps and pass without trace spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Kitsune, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can see the true form of any shapechanger or creature concealed by illusion or transmutation magic while the creature is within 15 feet of you and within line of sight.
• You cannot be surprised.

Greater Aspect of the Monkey King

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Monkey King

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the spider climb and suggestion spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Monkey King, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You gain a +2 bonus to AC versus creatures that are Large or larger.
• You can add your Wisdom modifier to Charisma checks.

Greater Aspect of the Samurai

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Samurai

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the find steed and magic weapon spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Samurai, you gain the following additional benefits:

• When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and spend 1 ki point to make a melee weapon attack against the creature.
• You have blindsight out to a range of 10 feet. 

Greater Aspect of the Seven Sages

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Seven Sages

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the prayer of healing spell and a 2nd-level spell from the sorcerer spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Seven Sages, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can add your Wisdom modifier to Intelligence checks.

Greater Aspect of the Sōhei

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Sōhei

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the blur and mirror image spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Sōhei, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can hover (this does not grant you a flying speed).
• Whenever you use Step of the Wind, instead of taking the Disengage or Dash actions, you may teleport a distance equal to your walking speed.

Greater Aspect of the Tortle

Prerequisite: 6th level, Aspect of the Tortle

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the alter self and enhance ability spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Tortle, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time.
• You have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check to track and find Dragons, Humanoids, and Monstrosities, as well as on Intelligence checks to recall information about them. You can only be tracking one type of creature at a time.

Ultimate Aspect of the Githzerai

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Githzerai

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the find familiar and sending spells.

While you embody the Aspect of the Githzerai, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You have immunity to the frightened condition.
• You have advantage on Wisdom checks.

Ultimate Aspect of the Kitsune

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Kitsune

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the clairvoyance spell and one 3rd-level spell from the ranger spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Kitsune, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
• You can cast disguise self at will, without expending a spell slot. You can also add your Wisdom modifier to your Charisma (Deception) checks.

Ultimate Aspect of the Monkey King

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Monkey King

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the major image spell and a 3rd-level spell from the bard spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Monkey King, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can cast spider climb at will, without expending a spell slot.
• While you are wielding a quarterstaff, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach.

Ultimate Aspect of the Samurai

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Samurai

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the dispel magic spell and a 3rd-level spell from the paladin spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Samurai, you gain the following additional benefits:

• When another creature damages you with a melee attack, you can spend 2 ki points as a reaction to reduce the damage by your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.
• Whenever you use Flurry of Blows, you can replace your two unarmed strikes with two melee attacks from your longsword.

Ultimate Aspect of the Seven Sages

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Seven Sages

When you learn this aspect, you also learn a 3rd-level spell from the cleric spell list and a 3rd-level spell from the wizard spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Seven Sages, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn’t already include your proficiency bonus.

Ultimate Aspect of the Sōhei

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Sōhei

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the blink spell and a 3rd-level spell from the sorcerer spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Sōhei, you gain the following additional benefits:

• Whenever you use Flurry of Blows, instead of making two unarmed strikes as a bonus action you can make three.
• You gain a bonus to damage rolls made with your unarmed strikes and equal to half of your proficiency bonus (rounded down).

Ultimate Aspect of the Tortle

Prerequisite: 11th level, Greater Aspect of the Tortle

When you learn this aspect, you also learn the water breathing spell and a 3rd-level spell from the druid spell list.

While you embody the Aspect of the Tortle, you gain the following additional benefits:

• Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.
• Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
• Even when you are engaged in another activity while traveling (such as foraging, navigating, or tracking), you remain alert to danger.
• While tracking other creatures, you also learn their exact number, their sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.

Aspect of the Magi

Upon reaching 17th level, your spiritual clarity and training accumulate into your becoming the embodiment of yamabushi aspects. You learn two spells of 4th-level or lower from any class. Additionally, choose one of your aspects. You now embody that aspect at all times. Your other aspects operate as normal in addition to your chosen aspect.

Aspect of the Githzerai

Your Aspect of the Githzerai is always in effect.

Aspect of the Kitsune

Your Aspect of the Kitsune is always in effect.

Aspect of the Monkey King

Your Aspect of the Monkey King is always in effect.

Aspect of the Samurai

Your Aspect of the Samurai is always in effect.

Aspect of the Seven Sages

Your Aspect of the Seven Sages is always in effect.

Aspect of the Sōhei

Your Aspect of the Sōhei is always in effect.

Aspect of the Tortle

Your Aspect of the Tortle is always in effect.