Umbra's Tome
Monk Monastic Tradition
Way of the Ethereal Soul
Monks of the Way of the Ethereal Soul are those who dedicate their lives to the preservation and health of their spirit. They learn to weave their soul in and out of the Ethereal Plane, appearing like a spirit or ghost.
Otherworldly Jaunt
Beginning at 3rd level when you choose this Monastic Tradition, you may spend an additional Ki point when you use your Step of the Wind feature.
When you do, you enter a semi-spectral form, reminiscent of a phantom. You gain the following benefits:
- If you choose to disengage, all attacks made against you are made with disadvantage until the start of your next turn.
- If you choose to dash, the next attack of opportunity made against you is made with disadvantage, and you can pass through objects and creatures up to 10 feet of width. If you end your turn within an object, you take 1d10 force damage.
- You may choose to both dash and disengage. If you do, you do not gain the additional benefits above.
Ghost Soul
Starting from 6th level, you become more spectral in nature, allowing you to shift into in out of a ghostlike form. You have advantage on all death saving throws.
In addition, you can spend 2 Ki points to cast the misty step spell at 1st level, or spend 3 Ki points to cast the blink spell. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Ethereal Stun
Upon reaching level 11, you learn how to strike at a creature’s soul. Whenever you use your Stunning Strike feature with an unarmed attack, choose one of the following effects.
- The target takes additional force damage equal to your martial arts die.
- The target remains stunned for 1d4 minus 1 rounds.
- In addition to being stunned, the target is knocked prone.
Master of Body and Mind
When you reach 17th level, your control of your soul reaches even beyond death. When you drop to 0 Hit Points, you can choose to have your soul continue fighting. Your body remains unconscious and you roll death saving throws as normal.
At the end of this turn, your soul rises from your person as a spirit, and remains active until you regain consciousness or die. You keep the same attributes, but cannot hold or pick up any items and can pass through objects and structures up to 10 feet in width.
While in this form, you have immunity to force, radiant, necrotic, cold, and non-magical weapon damage. Only non-hostile creatures of your choice can see you. If you take any damage as your spirit form, you vanish back into your body, still unconscious.
Umbra's Tome
This is the first in a line of upcoming homebrew character options for 5e. At some point, when enough content has been created, I will release a collection of all of these creations known as Umbra's Tome.
Image: "Kalashtar", Wizards of the Coast, Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron