Way of the Astral Self
A monk who follows the Way of the Astral Self believes their body is an illusion. They see their ki as a representation of their true form, an astral self. This astral self has the capacity to be a force of order or disorder, with some monasteries training students to use their power to protect the weak and other instructing aspirants in how to manifest their true selves in service to the mighty.
Forms of Your Astral Self
The astral self is a translucent embodiment of the monk's soul. As a result, an astral self can reflect aspects of a monk's background, ideals, flaws, and bonds, and an astral self doesn't necessarily look anything like the monk. For example, the astral self of a lanky human might be reminiscent of a minotaur-the strength of which the monk feels within. Similarly, an orc monk might manifest gossamer arms and a delicate visage, representing the gentle beauty of the orc's soul. Each astral self is unique, and some of the monks of this monastic tradition are known more for the appearance of their astral self than for their physical appearance.
When choosing this path, consider the quirks that define your monk. Are you obsessed with something? Are you driven by justice or a selfish desire? Any of these motivations could manifest in the form of your astral self.
Arms of the Astral Self
3rd-level Way of the Astral Self feature
Your mastery of your ki allows you to summon a portion of your astral self. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to summon the arms of your astral self. When you do so, each creature of your choice that you can see within 10 feet of you must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take force damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die taking half damage on a success.
For 10 minutes, these spectral arms hover near your shoulders or surround your arms (your choice). You determine the arms' appearance, and they vanish early if you are incapacitated or die.
While the spectral arms are present, you gain the following benefits:
- You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength modifier when making Strength checks, Strength saving throws and lifting capacity. You can use the spectral arms to make unarmed strikes.
- When you make an unarmed strike with the arms on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
- The unarmed strikes you make with the arms can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls, and their damage type is force.
Visage of the Astral Self
6th-level Way of the Astral Self feature
You can summon the visage of your astral self. As a bonus action, or as part of the bonus action you take to activate Arms of the Astral Self, you can spend 1 ki point to summon this visage for 10 minutes. It vanishes early if you are incapacitated or die.
The damage dealt when summoning the arms of the astral self increases to 4 rolls of your martial arts die.
The spectral visage covers your face like a helmet or mask. You determine its appearance.
While the spectral visage is present, you gain the following benefits.
Astral Sight. You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet. Additionally you can choose to see invisible creatures and objects as if they were visible, and you can see into the Ethereal Plane. Ethereal creatures and objects appear ghostly and translucent (no action required).
Wisdom of the Spirit. You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Intimidation) checks. In addition you may add your wisdom modifier to a skill check an number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest spending 1 ki point for each use beyond that number.
Word of the Spirit. When you speak, you can direct your words to a creature of your choice that you can see within 60 feet of you, making it so only that creature can hear you. Alternatively, you can amplify your voice so that all creatures within 600 feet can hear you.
Body of the Astral Self
11th-level Way of the Astral Self feature
When you have both your astral arms and visage summoned, you can cause the body of your astral self to appear (no action required). This spectral body covers your physical form like a suit of armor, connecting with the arms and visage. You determine its appearance.
The damage dealt when summoning the arms of the astral self increases to 8 rolls of your martial arts die.
While the spectral body is present, you gain the following benefits:
Deflect Energy. When you take damage, with the exception of bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage, you can use your reaction to deflect it. When you do so, the damage you take is reduced by 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier + your monk level (minimum reduction of 1).
If this damage only targets you, you can instead use your reaction to spend ki to make an ability check using your Wisdom modifier. The amount of ki spent is equal to 1 or the level of the spell if the damage is from a spell. If the spell makes multiple attacks, the amount of ki you spend is equal to the lowest level the spell can be cast at. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level or the DC of the effect if it isn't a spell. On a success you are not affected and instead redirect the effect to target another creature of your choice within the effect's range. This redirection uses the same attack bonuses and saves as the original, unless your attack bonus or ki save is higher.
Empowered Arms. When you hit a target with the Arms of the Astral Self, you can deal extra damage to the target equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Awakened Astral Self
17th-level Way of the Astral Self feature
Your connection to your astral self is complete, allowing you to unleash its full potential. As a bonus action, you can spend 5 ki points to summon the arms, visage, and body of your astral self and awaken it for 10 minutes. This awakening ends early if you are incapacitated or die.
The damage dealt when summoning the arms of the astral self increases to 12 rolls of your martial arts die.
While your astral self is awakened, you gain the following benefits.
Armor of the Spirit. You gain a +3 bonus to Armor Class.
Astral Barrage. Whenever you use the Extra Attack feature to attack twice, you can instead attack three times if all the attacks are made with your astral arms. You can spend additional ki points to gain additional attacks when activating this feature. For every 2 ki points spent, you can make an additional attack as part of the attack action.