Way of the Cultivator (Monk subclass)

# Monk: Way of the Cultivator

Made by drsooz

Among the ranks of martial artists, where the energies of serenity and intensity intertwine, there exists a path known only to those who seek total mastery of the Universal Energies, Ebb and Flow. The Cultivators, practitioners of an ancient form of ki manipulation, dance alongside the dynamic flux of Ebb and Flow, where every action carries the weight of cosmic equilibrium.

Through disciplined meditation and rigorous training, Cultivators harness the Universal Energies, mastering the art of periodicity between the state of serenity, Ebb, and the state of intensity, Flow. By embracing the nature of these cyclical universal forces, they become conduits of the Ebb and Flow, wielding their ki with grace and purpose.

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As they journey further towards enlightenment, Cultivators continue their study of the Universal Energies by delving into the mystic practice of Zen Talismans, infusing mundane objects with ki. With each stroke of the brush or scrawl of the pen, they weave intricate sigils and symbols, channeling the Universal Energies into these powerful talismans that change the tides of battle.

Accomplished Cultivators further their understanding of the Unviersal Energies through the sacred art of Trascendent Talismans, ascending to unprecedented heights by using these artifacts to harmonize or disrupt the balance between the Universal Energies. Masters of harmony and discord may transcend the limitations of the Universal Energies by abandoning them in their entirety, fundamentally changing the fabric of reality around them.

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### Ebb and Flow

At 3rd level, your mastery of your ki has enlightened you to the cyclic nature of the universe. Learning to harness the periodicity of life, you learn to control your Ebb and Flow.

You are permanently in either Ebb State or Flow State. Whenever you are in Ebb State, you gain certain benefits and penalties and are able to use Low Tide and Mighty Torrent. Whenever you are in Flow State, the benefits and penalties of Ebb are reversed, and you are able to use High Tide and Tranquil Guard. These benefits and penalties are listed below.

You can use your bonus action to meditate and change your state from Ebb to Flow, or from Flow to Ebb.
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#### Ebb State

While in Ebb State, you gain the following benefits and penalties:

- You gain a +1 bonus to your AC and all saving throws.
- You suffer a -1 penalty to all attack and damage rolls.
- You gain access to the Low Tide and Mighty Torrent features.

At 6th, 11th, and 17th levels, the bonus to your AC and saving throws increases to +2, +3, and +4, respectively (the penalty does not change).

##### Low Tide

While in Ebb State, you may spend your bonus action to immediately gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the roll of 1 Martial Arts die + your proficiency bonus.

##### Mighty Torrent

When you take the Attack action while in Ebb State, you can spend 1 ki point to enter Flow State immediately. You also immediately gain the benefits of High Tide, and gain advantage on all attack rolls made as part of your Attack action this turn.

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#### Flow State

While in Flow State, you gain the following benefits and penalties:

- You gain a +1 bonus to all attack and damage rolls.
- You suffer a -1 penalty to your AC and all saving throws.
- You gain access to the High Tide and Tranquil Guard features.

At 6th, 11th, and 17th levels, the bonus to your attack and damage rolls increases to +2, +3, and +4 respectively (the penalty does not change).

##### High Tide

While in Flow State, you may spend your bonus action to enter a state of heightened focus until the end of your next turn. During this time, you add your proficiency bonus to the damage you deal with your attacks as part of your Attack action.

##### Tranquil Guard

When you take the Attack action while in Flow State, you can spend 1 ki point to enter Ebb State immediately. You also immediately gain the benefits of both Low Tide and either the Dash action or Disengage action.

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### Zen Talismans

At 6th level, you learn how to infuse your ki into mundane objects for later use, creating Talismans. Talismans are typically pieces of paper with ki-infused sigils painted onto them, but they can take many different forms, which are up to the player.

Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can create any number of Talisman at a cost of 1 ki point per Talisman, choosing any combination of the three Talisman listed below. Talismans lose their effect upon being used, or upon completing your next short or long rest.Whenever you use a Talisman, you may change your state from Ebb State to Flow State or vice versa.

#### Talisman of the Titan

The Talisman of the Titan bestows the user with the fortitude of a titan. As an action, you may use this Talisman and choose up to two creatures you can see within 30 feet of you. You and the chosen creatures gain temporary hit points equal to half your Monk level, rounded up.

#### Talisman of the Prodigy

The Talisman of the Prodigy bestows the user with the ingenuity of a prodigy. When another creature within 30 feet of you misses an attack or fails a saving throw, you can use your reaction to activate this Talisman, adding your Wisdom modifier to the roll. If this turns the roll from a failure to a success, you gain advantage on your next attack roll before the end of your next turn.

#### Talisman of the Saint

The Talisman of the Saint bestows the user with the healing ability of a saint. As a bonus action, you may use this Talisman and touch another creature to restore a number of hit points equal to a roll of your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier.

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### Talismanic Artistry

At 6th level you also gain proficiency with your choice of calligrapher’s supplies or painter’s supplies.

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### Transcendent Talismans

At 11th level, you learn how to create Transcendent Talismans. Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can create one Transcendent Talisman at no cost. Transcendent Talismans lose their effect either upon being used or upon completing your next short or long rest.

When you create a Transcendent Talisman, you choose one of two Transcendent Talisman:

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#### Transcendental Talisman of Harmony

The Transcendental Talisman of Harmony bestows the user with the ability to balance the Ebb and Flow, temporarily gaining absolute control over both. The Harmony State acts as a constructive combination of the Ebb and Flow states.

As a bonus action, you may use this Transcendental Talisman to enter the Harmony State for half a minute (equivalent to 5 rounds). While you are in Harmony State, you gain the following benefits and penalties:

- You gain the benefits and penalties of both the Ebb and Flow states.
- You are unable to use High Tide, Mighty Torrent, Low Tide, or Tranquil Guard.
- Once per turn, when you roll a d20, you may reroll it.
- You are unable to leave Harmony State until the duration ends.

When the Harmony State ends you immediately return to either Ebb State or Flow State and take force damage equal to twice your Monk level.

#### Transcendental Talisman of Discord

The Transcendental Talisman of Discord bestows the user with the ability to combine the Ebb and Flow, temporarily filling their body with the resulting chaotic energy. The resulting Discord State acts as destructive combination of the Ebb and Flow States.

As a bonus action, you may use this Transcendental Talisman to enter the Discord State for half a minute (equivalent to 5 rounds). While you are in Discord State, you gain the following benefits and penalties:

- You gain neither the benefits nor penalties of the Ebb and Flow states.
- You are are able to use High Tide, Mighty Torrent, Low Tide, or Tranquil Guard without spending the required ki points.
- Once per turn, when any other creature within 30 feet of you rolls a d20, you may reroll it.
- You are unable to leave Discord State until the duration ends.

When the Discord State ends you immediately return to either Ebb State or Flow State and take force damage equal to twice your Monk level.

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### Nothing

Starting at 17th level, you can create both Transcendental Talisman during a short or long rest. As an action, you may use both Transcendental Talisman simultaneously to completely remove the Ebb and Flow from your body, entering the Nothing State for one minute. While you are in the Nothing State, you gain the following benefits and penalties:

- You gain neither the benefits nor penalties of the Ebb and Flow States.
- You are unable to use High Tide, Mighty Torrent, Low Tide, or Tranquil Guard.
- When any creature within 30 feet of you rolls a d20, you may spend 1 ki point to reroll it.
- You gain an additional action on each of your turns.
- Once per turn, when you spend any number of ki points, immediately regain them.
- You are unable to leave Nothing State until the duration ends.

When the Nothing State ends, you immediately return to either Ebb State or Flow State. You then drop to 0 hit points but remain conscious and stable. Additionally, you reduce your ki points to 0.

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# ART CREDIT

| Page  | Artist |
|:---:|:-----------:|
|  1  | [Jung Shan Chang](http://jung-shan.blogspot.com) |
|  2  | [Jung Shan Chang](http://jung-shan.blogspot.com) |
|  3  | [Jung Shan Chang](http://jung-shan.blogspot.com) |
|  4  | [Jung Shan Chang](http://jung-shan.blogspot.com) |
|  5  | [Jung Shan Chang](http://jung-shan.blogspot.com) |