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Monastic Tradition
Way of the Head of John
*"An internal style focused on hardening the self. After preparation and training, practitioners block the flow of ki at precise points. The chief feature of this style is using the head as a blunt weapon.* *I have seen acolytes shatter bone with their headbutts in practice and an elder monk break a temple wall with the fierce application of his forehead. Little more must be said on its raw martial power."* *-* Manual of Hands and Feet, Musko Reeve --- Monks of the way of the Head of John forgo even the traditional tools of monks; ignoring their hands and feet in favour of pure brute force from their heads. Practice and meditation grant supernatural resilience and power behind their headbutts. Even with their hands tied up, their unusual style allows them to remain deadly combatants.
Head of John Features
| Monk Level | Feature | |:---:|:-----------:| | 3rd | Brutal Application, Stubborn Technique | | 6th | Worldly Might | | 11th | Astute Observation, Thickened Skull | | 17th | Godly Projection |
Brutal Application
Starting at 3rd level you can project an intense amount of force through your forehead. Whenever you make an unarmed attack you can choose to instead perform a brutal headbutt. Make an attack roll against the creature as normal. On a hit roll the target has disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. You can also choose to force the target to make a strength saving throw or be pushed back 15ft. Such reckless fighting wears down your body. Take an amount of force damage equal to half the damage dealt (minimum of 1) . Alternatively, before you roll to determine damage dealt and taken you can expend 1 ki points to forgo the self-inflicted damage. You can make a brutal headbutt only once per round.
Stubborn Technique
At 3rd level your dedication to this unusual martial style has granted you several benefits. You gain advantage on any saving throws made to resist being stunned or knocked unconscious. Additionally, the length of time you are able to hold your breath for is doubled. \columnbreak
Worldly Might
From 6th level the force behind your headbutts become supernaturally empowered. Such blistering force allows you to recklessly strike and damage your opponents. You gain the following benefits: --- **Concussive Blast:** Whenever you make a brutal headbutt against a target you roll two die instead of one when determining damage dealt. --- **Thoughtful Heading:** When you use the Deflect Missiles feature, you can choose to headbutt the projectile instead of throwing it as normal. If you choose to do so, roll an additional die (the type of which is determined on the Martial Arts column of the Monk class table) and add the result to the damage dealt.
Astute Observation
Starting at 11th level your brain has been toughened from regular abuse, granting you deep insight into the workings of the mind. If you choose to use Astute Observation, you are made instantly aware of the intentions of people within the room at a basic level. You choose a number of creatures up to your wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) within 30ft that you can see; the DM must tell you if they are hostile, neutral, or friendly towards you. No other information can be gleaned using this feature. Once you use Astute Observation you must complete a long rest before you are able to use it again.
Thickened Skull
From 11th level your head and mind become ever more resilient towards external threats. You gain immunity to the stunned condition, as well as advantage on saving throws against being blinded or deafened.
Godly Projection
At 17th level no martial force can compare to a strike from the head you make with pure destructive intent. You can use your action to use godly projection and force each creature within a 15ft cone in front of you to take 4d10 force damage. You can choose a number of targets within range of you Godly Projection - up to half your monk level. Expend a number of ki points equal to the number of targets and force each of them to make a constitution saving throw. On a failure each target is knocked prone and stunned until the end of their next turn. Once you use Godly Projection you cannot do so again until you complete a short or long rest.
> ##### Credit > This monastic tradition is an adaptation of the Head of John martial style from the webcomic Kill Six Billion Demons, created by Tom Parkinson-Morgan.