Monks of the Way of the Verdant Rhythm attune their souls to the heartbeat of nature, drawing upon powers akin to Druids while enhancing their own martial abilities. Monks of this path often become guardians of the natural world, heralds of secrets long kept within the groves of druids, or perhaps zen warriors seeking to tip the scales between civilization and the wilds they seek to defend.

These monks use their ability to communicate with nature's most silent denizens as a source of knowledge, peace, and to inform their techniques; their ki often manifesting in the form of vines, leaves and roots. Having a rare connection to all living things, some use this wisdom to become unparalleled empaths or abuse this ability to cause as much destruction as they could prevent. 

Robed in deep greens and earthy browns, walkers of the Verdant Heartbeat blend in with whatever natural landscape they best connect with, their smiles soft in the face of all adversity.

Voice of Leaf and Vine

At 3rd level, you can speak, read and write Sylvan, and can communicate basic ideas to plants and understand them in turn. In addition, at 6th level you may cast the spell Speak With Plants by expending 3 ki points as an action on your turn.

Wholeness of Body

Starting at 6th level, you learn to focus your vision to spot the auras alighting within every living thing. By spending 3 ki points, you can see all living creatures within 30 ft. of you, even through solid objects, their auras bright and green to your eyes. Undead are not visible. This lasts for 10 minutes. For every additional ki point you spend when you activate this ability, you can increase its range by 10 ft.

Nature’s Grasp

At 3rd level, your enlightened connection to the natural world has granted you a modest control over its flora. You can cast the Druidcraft and Thorn Whip cantrips without components, Wisdom being your spellcasting ability. If you cast Thorn Whip as an action, you may use your bonus action to make an unarmed strike as per your Martial Arts feature, as well as being able to use Flurry of Blows. On your turn, you may expend 1 ki point to cast Thorn Whip as a bonus action. You may add your Wisdom modifier to one roll of the Thorn Whip spell’s damage.

Starting at 11th level, you may replace one of your attacks from your Attack action with a use of Thorn Whip. If you do so, you cannot cast it as a bonus action on this turn.

Among the Trees

Starting at 6th level, through meditation and the fine honing of your martial prowess, you unlock powers borne from the hidden groves of the druids. You gain access to the following abilities.

Thirsting Roots. You have learned the art of sapping vitality from those you destroy. When a creature fails a saving throw against your Stunning Strike ability, you can force them to take additional necrotic damage equal to three rolls of your Martial Arts die, with you regaining hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt. Any additional necrotic damage caused by spells or other effects does not heal you. Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you do so again.

Coiling Vines. When you hit a creature with your Thorn Whip, you may choose to expend 2 ki points to entangle them in your thorny vines rather than pulling them towards you. The creature is restrained for 1 minute and takes an additional 1d6 piercing damage when hit by melee attacks while restrained. A creature restrained by the vines can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself. Once you use this feature you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Planted Stance

Starting at 11th level, you no longer have to expend ki to use your Patient Defense ability, and when you do your speed becomes 15 ft. until the end of your next turn and you cannot be knocked prone. In addition, your reach extends by 10 ft. until the end of your next turn as lashing vines of ki coil around your arms.

One with Nature

By 17th level, as an action, you may expend 5 ki points to simulate the effects of the Tree Stride spell (lasting up to 1 minute without concentration, you can end the effects at any time on your turn as a free action) and you may expend 7 ki to simulate the effects of the Transport via Plants spell. In addition, you know the Commune with Nature spell and may expend 3 ki points to cast it, Wisdom being your spellcasting ability.