Monastic Tradition - Way of the Greenbriar

Among the Elves of Ethren's forests are a number of “Flower Schools” or martial styles that borrow heavily on the behavior of trees and plants. Many are little more than forms of dance, like the Path of Willows or the Way of Swaying branches. These have come down from the beginning of recorded history and are revered amongst the monks of the wood. However, The Way of the Greenbriar distinguishes itself among them as a particularly deadly and effective one, focusing on holds, short blows, and in some cases, poisons. 

 

Bonus Proficiencies

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain advantage in the Athletics (Climbing) skill. In addition, once a grip can be found on a wall or climbing surface, these monks can remain attached no matter what other conditions would cause someone untrained to fall or slip.

The Grasping Vine

At 3rd level, you’ve learned the most effective way to grab on to an opponent. As a part of your flurry of blows, when you hit you’re able to make a grapple check at advantage.

Thornstrikes

Starting at 6th level, your very hands become much deadlier and can do extra damage.

Piercing Thorn. As a part of your flurry of blows, you can add your proficiency bonus to the damage for each strike. This counts as piercing damage.

Spines of Pain. When a creature makes an unarmed melee attack against you or grapples you, you can spend a ki point to quickly use the sharpest parts of your body (elbows, fingers, etc.) to create a series of tiny blows causing 1d4(x Proficiency bonus) to them.

Twising Ivy, Flying Thorn

Starting at 11th level, it seems impossible to constrain these very fluid and dangerous monks.  By spending 2 ki points, the monk can instantly evade a grapple as a free action.

Additionally, ranged attacks within the five feet of opponents are made normally and if they spend a ki point, the monk can gain advantage on the attack. (This will NOT, however, give a multi-classed rogue advantage for sneak attack.)

The Deadly Nettle

As a part of their diet, these monks eat small quantities of poisonous berries, which contribute not only to their poison immunity but their ability to exude a poisonous sweat. At 17th level, their very skin becomes poisonous. When grappled, and by spending a ki point, they can force an opponent to make a Constitution saving throw vs. poison. By spending 3 ki points, this poison is so virulent, it causes opponents to additionally become blinded (lasting a number of minutes equal to the monk’s wisdom bonus).