Way of Fear

The Way of Fear

Monks of the Way of Fear believe that fear is what makes the world turn. Fear is the best way to control others, and one cannot truly be in control of oneself until one can control one’s own fear. Monks of the Way of Fear are sometimes called “Shiatu Naja” which translates roughly to common as “Followers of the Cobra”. The Shiatu Naja is not a well-known monastic order. They subscribe to the philosophy that fear makes the world turn. Fear is the best way to control others, and one cannot truly be in control of oneself until one can control one’s own fear. They therefore learn techniques to cause fear in others and ways to conquer their own. They do not worship any gods in the traditional ways, but they pay lip service to Bane and Varae (an aspect of Sseth).

The Chamber of Varae

As part of their initiation ritual, acolytes are taken to a cavern deep under the monastery in the desert. Cobras and other serpents numbering in the thousands cover the floor, slithering from cracks in the rocks. “There you will find what you need to find,” says the master, pointing down a passageway and handing the initiate a torch. “I will come back for you at dawn.” Even if the initiate has no fear of snakes, an unnatural terror begins to build within them. Left alone, the initiate must conquer their fear and venture down the snake-filled tunnel as the terror builds. If they are worthy to join the monastery, they will succeed in entering the Chamber of Varae, a cavern so huge the torchlight doesn't even begin to reach the far walls. The cobras are so numerous the initiate must wade through them. If the initiate still has not fled, they might encounter what they think at first is the far wall, until they realize with terror that it is made of giant scales rather than stone. An enormous cobra, twice as thick as a man is tall, coiled and sleeping. If the initiate has not given way to fear at that point, they do then. No initiate has ever seen the giant cobra and held their ground. The initiate flees in abject terror to be found likely still trembling by the master in the morning. Just reaching the Chamber of Varae is success in the ritual, however, whether the initiate encounters the cobra or not!

 

Fear Is the Mind-Killer

Controlling your own fear is the first step towards controlling others. When you select the Way of Fear at 3rd level, you gain advantage on saving throws vs fear effects.

 

Master Thug

Non-magical fear can be just as effective as magical fear. You gain proficiency with the Intimidation skill if you do not already have it, and you double your proficiency bonus with it.

Eye of the Serpent

When all else fails, use magic. By glaring at a creature within 30 feet and spending 1 ki point, you may cow them into submission for a brief time. The target must succeed at a WIS saving throw (DC = 8+WIS modifier+proficiency bonus) or be frightened until the monk's next turn.

Menace the Minions

At 6th level you can cast the spell Fear without material components by spending 2 ki points. This spell is always prepared.

Aura of Dread

Beginning at 11th level, you can enter a special meditation that surrounds you with an aura of dread. At the end of a long rest, you gain the effect of a sanctuary spell that lasts until the start of your next long rest (the spell can end early as normal). This ability counts as a fear effect for the purposes of saving throws and other resistances. The saving throw DC for the spell equals 8 + your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus.

Heart of Terror

When you have mastered fear at 17th level, you can cause such horror in a creature that its heart may stop. When you make eye contact with a creature within 20 feet, you can spend 10 ki points to fill them with terror. The target must make a WIS saving throw. If the target fails, it takes 20d10 psychic damage and is frightened of the monk for the next 24 hours if it is still alive. A successful saving throw results in half damage, and the target is only frightened for 1 round.

Since this ability requires eye contact, it only affects targets that have eyes and can see (blinded targets are immune.)