Monk: Way of the Siphon

Monks who take part in the Way of the Siphon have intricately studied the body and the living energy that creatures have within themselves. With this knowledge, they have learned to read and manipulate their foes’ ki and the life force tied to it. This training has given them the ability to focus their mind in ways that harness the life force given off by a creature when it is damaged or even killed. That harnessed energy can then be used in a variety of ways, whether to temporarily strengthen your defenses, amplify your health, or give yourself a boost of adrenaline.

Empathic Knowledge

Whenever you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your ability to understand the ki that flows through other living creatures allows you to better read their emotions and body language. Due to this, you gain advantage on Insight checks.

Strike of Absorption

Starting at 3rd level, you learn to strike in a way that absorbs portions of your enemy’s life force. Whenever you deal damage to a creature using your Unarmed Strike or Monk weapon, you can choose to spend 1 ki point to activate one of the effects listed below. You may spend additional ki points to activate more than one effect at a time.

Defensive Entity. The extracted life force creates a small field of protection around you. For the next attack made against you, your AC gets +2. This effect increases at higher levels with a +3 at 6th, +4 at 10th, and +5 at 14th. (Note that this effect can not be stacked.)

Bolstered Vitality. The extracted life force merges with your own, giving you temporary hit points equal to half the damage dealt (rounded up) + your wisdom modifier. (minimum of 1)

Radiant Knuckles. The extracted life force forms a glowing barrier around your hands, giving your next Unarmed Strike +2 to the attack roll. This effect increases at higher levels with a +3 at 6th, +4 at 10th, and +5 at 14th.

Extract Adrenaline

Starting at 6th level, your ability to extract the life force of a creature extends past your immediate vicinity. You have learned to pull ki from creatures that have died and use that to give yourself a boost of energy. Whenever a creature dies within 30 feet of you, on your next turn you can use the Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, or Step of the Wind feature without expending a ki point.

If you were the one to make the final blow on that creature, on your next turn you can instead use the Stunning Strike feature without expending a ki point.

Cunning Exchange

Starting at 11th level, you have further practiced your ability to read someone’s emotions and body language, giving you a better idea at how to manipulate conversations to your own benefit. Whenever you make a Deception, Persuasion, or Intimidation check, you can spend 1 ki point to gain advantage on the roll.

Refined Extraction

Starting at 17th level, you have perfected the ability to put all of a creature’s life force to use. Whenever a creature dies within 30 feet of you, you can absorb that energy to regain 1 ki point. If you were the one to make the final blow on that creature, you regain 3 ki points instead.