The Way of the Arcane Palm Class for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e)

Base Class: Monk

Monks of the Way of the Arcane Palm commune with magic and the weave using the energies of their bodies, and train with spells just as others might train with any tool or weapon, incorporating the motions and effort of spellcasting into the practices of martial arts. They seek out new understanding of magic through intense training, meditation, and perception of their surroundings. Just as some monks might look to nature to hone new methods to improve their prowess, these practitioners seek to observe and duplicate the stirrings of magical energies found in the universe around them, in hearty earth, capricious sea, boundless sky, majestic stars, turbulent winds, and blazing fires.

To followers of the Way of the Arcane Palm, learning and casting a spell is no matter of arcane calculation, nor connection to a higher power, nor even devotion to the cycles of nature, but rather the noble expression of uniting willpower and enlightenment. Where so many seek to attain magic through study or devotion, these monks seek an arcane illumination that can only come from the doing and the being of magic. Unsurprisingly, many find a sense of kinship among sorcerers and their practices, despite the source of their power coming from training and meditation rather than magical ancestry. For monks of the Way of the Arcane Palm every adventure is but another beautifully unfolding magical epiphany.

Special Note: Due to some facets of spellcasting being hardcoded into the DnDBeyond backend, the spells granted by the features of this subclass do not show higher level casting on the spell list and may not interact properly with certain feats or magical items. In particular, adjustments to spells from the Eldritch Adept feat or any item that increases spell attack bonus or spell save DC do not properly affect spells of this subclass. A similar problem even occurs with the Way of Four Elements official subclass.

Until some developer code is changed to fix the problem, you can adjust the values but customizing the spell's entry in the "actions" section of the character sheet, or treat the inconsistencies as a limitation of the character casting spells in such an atypical way. My intention, however, has always been that these spells work with magic related feats, magic boosting items, and benefits to casting granted by class features gained from multiclassing (just in case that factors into your decision).

Caster Kata

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn magical disciplines that incorporate the casting of spells into your martial arts. When you use your action to cast any spell, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action, or spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes with your flurry of blows. You also learn 2 cantrips of your choice from the Druid, Warlock, or Wizard spell lists, and learn 1 additional cantrip at 12th level. Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one cantrip you that know with another that you can learn.

Arcane Palm Cantrip

You learn a Druid, Warlock, or Wizard cantrip that you can weave into your martial arts.

Arcane Palm Cantrip

You learn a Druid, Warlock, or Wizard cantrip that you can weave into your martial arts.

Arcane Palm Cantrip

You learn a Druid, Warlock, or Wizard cantrip that you can weave into your martial arts.

Arcane Awareness

You gain proficiency with the arcana skill and learn the spell detect magic, which may be cast as a ritual or by expending 2 ki points.

Ki Casting

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn magical disciplines that allow you to learn and cast spells using your ki according the following rules:

Spells Known

You learn 4 spells from the Druid, Warlock, or Wizard spell lists of a level equaling your level in this class divided by 4 (rounded up), and learn a new spell every other level thereafter. Each time you gain a level in this class you can exchange 2 spells for others that are available to you.

Casting Spells

You cast spells by expending ki points equaling 1 + the spell level, which supplant the need for spell slots or material components that do not have a cost value, and you may still expend ki points to use other monk features on the same turn that you use ki to cast a spell.

Spellcasting Ability

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your spells, since you learn your spells through training and meditation. 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 spell 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