Monastic Tradition: Way of the Fifth Essence
Among the monks who study the Way of the Four Elements, perhaps once in a century, a disciple reaches beyond the raw elements of the physical world and grasps a fundamental truth of the transcendent realities. They may have been touched by a celestial being, warped by eldritch energies, or awakened by some inner discovery. Their ki becomes charged with psionic energy that allows them to manipulate mind, matter, and space, and sets them on the road to enlightenment. Psionic monks are warriors and mystics, guardians of the mortal world, but forever outside it.
Disciple of the Bodhisattva
When you choose this tradition at third level, you learn magical disciplines that harness the psionic power of your ki and set you on the path of the Bodhisattva. You know the Attuned Mind discipline and two other psionic disciplines of your choice, which are detailed in the "Psionic Disciplines" sections below. You learn two additional psionic disciplines of your choice at 6th, 11th, and 17th level. Whenever you gain a monk level, you can replace one psionic discipline that you already know with a different discipline of an available level.
Casting psionic spells. Most psionic disciplines allow you to cast spells. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting. To cast one of these spells, use its casting time and other rules, but you cast it without material components unless otherwise noted below. You may also spend one additional ki point to cast the spell without vocal or somatic components, similar to the sorcerer's subtle spell metamagic.
Wisdom is your spellcasting ability. 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
Once you reach 5th level in this class, you can spend additional ki points to increase the level of a psionic discipline spell that you cast, provided that the spell has an enhanced effect at a higher level, as catapult 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 use Garuda's Strike to cast catapult, you can spend 3 ki points to cast it as a 2nd-level spell without components (the base cost of 1 ki point plus 1 for subtle spell and 1 for 2nd level).
The maximum number of ki points you can spend to cast a spell in this way (including its base ki point cost and any additional ki points you spend) is determined by your monk level, as shown in the Spells and Ki Points table.
Psionic Spells and Ki Points
| Monk Levels | Maximum Ki Points for a Spell |
|---|---|
| 5th-8th | 3 |
| 9th-12th | 4 |
| 13th-16th | 5 |
| 17th-20th | 6 |
Psionic Disciplines of the Student
These psionic disciplines are available to monks of 3rd level and above. They represent the first stirrings of the monk's psionic potential and the transformation of their elemental powers. A few of these disciplines are often mistaken for uncontrolled channeling of elemental air by their fellow students of the four elements. The monk may be viewed as a prodigy or a freak, and she may not be fully understood her abilities herself.
Arms of the Fifth Essence. When you use the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to cause psionic tendrils to emanate from your body. Your reach with your unarmed strikes increases by 10 feet for that action, as well as the rest of the turn. A hit with such an attack deals psychic damage instead of bludgeoning damage, and if you spend 1 ki point when the attack hits, it also deals an extra 1d8 psychic damage.
Attuned Mind. As long as you have at least one ki point, you can use your action to briefly manifest your psionic will, casting one of the following cantrips: friends, gust, message, or resistance.
Garuda's Strike. You can spend 1 ki point to cast catapult.
Glimpse of the Eternal Cycle. You can spend 1 ki point to cast cause fear.
Rod of the Dharma. You can spend 1 ki point to cast compelled duel.
Psionic Disciplines of the Winding Path
These psionic disciplines are available to monks of 6th level and above. Monks who attain these abilities have usually found masters that can help them control and cultivate the raw power of their psychic ki.
These mentors often charge their pupils to wander among humanoid populations, adjudicating conflicts and bringing peace to war-torn regions in order to hone their fortitude, insight, judgment, and compassion.
Claw of the Snow Lion. You can spend 2 ki points to cast Tasha's Mind Whip.
Grasp of Iron Will. You can spend 2 ki points to cast hold person.
Lotus on the Waters. You can spend 2 ki points to cast calm emotions.
Mind Trick. You can spend 2 ki points to cast suggestion.
Step of the Wind Horse. You can spend 2 ki points to cast levitate.
Whispers of the World Mind. You can spend 2 ki points to cast detect thoughts.
Psionic Disciplines of the Empowered Soul
These psionic disciplines are available only to monks of 11th level and above. These powers transcend simple manipulations of matter or mind and begin to influence the nature of reality. Their development is considered a sign that the monk is a reincarnation of an ancient sage returned as a gift to the world. Monks of this level are revered teachers and guardians of monasteries and whole kingdoms.
Chariot of the Thunderbolt. You can spend 3 ki points to cast thunder step.
Mandala of the Earth Serpent. You can spend 3 ki points to cast magic circle. Casting this spell requires powdered precious stones, metal and colored sand worth of at least 100 gp, which the spell consumes.
Version 2.0 by prodigal
玄奘 Tang Xuanzang by Yan Bilong, Master Rinn by Matt Forsyth , Black Monk by John Emmanuel.
Special thanks to the Dalai Lama, Roger Zelazny and that one guy on r/UnearthedArcana.
Made with GM Binder.
Quieting the Dream. You can spend 3 ki points to cast dispel magic.
Sutra of Reunion. You can spend 3 ki points to cast sending.
Veil of the Rainbow Lord. You can spend 3 ki points to cast hypnotic pattern.
Psionic Disciplines of the Bodhisattva
These ultimate psionic disciplines are available only to monks of 17th level and above. When these powers manifest, they are considered proof that the monk is the returned world savior, whose compassion and mercy have summoned her back from the transcendence to protect the planes from truly dire threats to all existence.
Gift of the Great Wheel. You can spend 5 ki points to cast awaken. Casting this spell requires an agate of at least 1,000 gp, which the spell consumes.
Hand of the Bodhisattva. You can spend 5 ki points to cast Bigby's Hand.
Mantra of the Binder of Worlds. You can spend 5 ki points to cast dispel evil and good.
Mind Blast. As an action, you spend 5 ki points to project a massive blast of psychic energy in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed in an Intelligence saving throw or take 4d8+Wis psychic damage and be stunned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Witness of the Ten Thousand Things. You can spend 5 ki points to cast scrying. Casting this spell requires a focus worth at least 1,000 gp, such as a crystal ball, a silver mirror, or a spinning prayer wheel.
