Way of the Astral Self (5A)

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This is a Monk monastic tradition for 5A.

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.

Greyhawk: Somewhat popular in Zindia, a curiosity elsewhere, this tradition is so esoteric that it will probably never become common.

Source: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

Monastic Tradition Features

Arms of the Astral Self

At 3rd level, 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.

For 10 minutes, these astral 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 astral arms are present, you gain the following benefits:

• Astral Arms. You can use the astral 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.
• Astral Barrage. Whenever you use the Flurry of Blows feature to attack, you can instead attack two times if both the attacks are made with your astral arms.
• Mind over Body. You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength modifier when making Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
• Immaterial Arms. The astral arms cannot hold objects, including weapons.

Visage of the Astral Self

When you reach 6th level, 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 astral visage covers your face like a helmet or mask. You determine its appearance.

While the astral 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. You also gain the benefits of See Invisibility.
• Wisdom of the Spirit. You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
• 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

Starting at 11th level, 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 astral body covers your physical form like a suit of armor, connecting with the arms and visage. You determine its appearance.

While the astral body is present, you gain the following benefits.

• Deflect Energy. You have resistance to acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, and thunder damage.
• Empowered Arms. You become a Large creature but your reach and the space you occupy does not change.
• When you take acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, and thunder damage, you can use your reaction to deflect it. When you do so, the damage you take is reduced by 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier (minimum reduction of 1).
• 'Once on each of your turns when you hit a target with the Arms of the Astral Self, you can deal extra damage to the target equal to your Martial Arts die.

Awakened Astral Self

Starting at 17th level, your connection to your astral self is complete, allowing you to unleash its full potential. When you have your astral arms, visage, and body summoned, you can spend a bonus action and 1 ki to awaken your astral self for 10 minutes. To save time you can spend more ki to summon all parts at once 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.

While your astral self is awakened, you gain the following benefits.

• Armor of the Spirit. You gain a +2 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.
• Spirit Walk. You can cast Etherealness. Unless you expend 8 points of ki when doing so, the spell only lasts until the start of your next turn.