- Art: Character Art owned by Pazio
- Background: Mountain Study by David Frasheski
Way of the Wu Jen
Monks of the Way of the Wu Jen are among the most dedicated to knowledge and self mastery. These monks seek to master their ki, aiming to use the power of their minds to shape their bodies and the world around them. Known as Wu Jens, these monks cast their minds into the world, seize control of its fundamental principles, and rebuild it.
In practical terms, wu jens excel at controlling the forces of the natural world. They can hurl objects with their minds, control the elements, and shape their bodies into living weapons.
Spellcasting
When you reach 3rd level, you augment your martial prowess with the ability to cast spells. See Spells Rules for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the wizard spell list.
Cantrips. You learn three cantrips: prestidigitation and two other cantrips of your choice from the wizard spell list. You learn an additional wizard cantrip of your choice at 10th level.
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Ki Casting. You can cast spells by spending ki points equal to the spell's level + 1. You can spend additional ki points to increase the level of a wizard spell that you cast this way, provided that the spell has an enhanced effect at a higher level, as burning hands does. The spell’s level increases by 1 for each additional ki point you spend. For example, if you are a 5th-level monk and cast burning hands, you can spend 3 ki points to cast it as a 2nd-level spell (the spell’s base cost of 2 ki points plus 1).
There is a limit on the number of ki points you can spend to cast a spell. The limit is based on your monk level, as shown in the Ki Limit column of the Way of the Wu Jen spellcasting table. For example, as a 3rd-level monk, you can spend no more than 2 ki points on a spell each time you cast it, no matter how many ki points you have.
Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher. You know three 1st-level wizard spells of your choice, two of which you must choose from the evocation and transmutation spells on the wizard spell list.
The Spells Known column of the Way of the Wu Jen Spellcasting table shows when you learn more wizard spells of 1st level or higher. Each of these spells must be an evocation or transmutation spell of your choice, and must be of a level with a cost that does not exceed your ki limit. For instance, when you reach 5th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
The spells you learn at 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level can come from any school of magic.
Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of the wizard spells you know with another spell of your choice from the wizard spell list. The new spell must be of a level with a cost that does not exceed your ki limit, and it must be an evocation or transmutation spell, unless you’re replacing the spell you gained at 3rd, 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level from any school of magic.
Way of the Wu Jen Spellcasting
| Monk Level | Cantrips Known | Spells Known | Ki Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 5th | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 7th | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 9th | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 10th | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| 11th | 4 | 8 | 4 |
| 13th | 4 | 9 | 5 |
| 15th | 4 | 10 | 5 |
| 17th | 4 | 11 | 6 |
| 19th | 4 | 12 | 6 |
| 20th | 4 | 13 | 6 |
Spellcasting Ability. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your wizard spells, since you cast through your Ki, even though learn your spells through study. 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 wizard spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell Save DC
Spell attack modifier
Elemental Attunement
Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to channel the elements into your unarmed strikes.
Whenever you target a creature with an unarmed strike, you can make it an elemental strike. An elemental strike deals acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage (your choice) instead of the normal bludgeoning damage.
Additionally, when you use the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to cause your elemental energy lash out from your fists and feet. Your reach with your elemental strikes increases by 10 feet for that action, as well as the rest of the turn.
Arcane Arts
At 6th level, you gain the ability to further blend magic with your martial arts. Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point as a bonus action to cast a cantrip that has the casting time of 1 action and deals acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage.
Priming Strike
At 11th level, you learn how to manipulate a creature's ki to reduce their resistance to your spells. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, that creature has disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes against a spell you cast before the end of your next turn.
Shift the Weave
At 17th level, you gain the ability to channel your Ki to redirect magic directed toward you.
Immediately after a creature casts a spell that targets you or includes you in its area of effect, you can use your reaction to make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, you negate the spell's effect against only you and you seize control of the spell.
If you seize control of the spell in this way, you can spend 1 ki point per level of the spell seized (minimum of 1) to cast the spell as part of the same reaction. The spell counts as a Way of the Wu Jen spell for this casting.
Once you use this ability and succeed on your ability check to seize control of a spell, you can't do so again until you finish long rest.
- Art: Firespawn Mystic by Ben Guldemond