Way of the Painted Self

Monks of the Way of the Painted Self follow a tradition of artistry that channels and focuses their ki into unique tattooed patterns that empower their bodies and minds. These monks follow no monastery but instead work in pairs of master and student. Through practice and discipline, the artistry of the painted self can shine through the skin for all to see as vibrant tattoos that often detail the journies and beliefs of each individual.

Adorned in Art

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your body becomes a canvas to display your life's work. You gain proficiency in Tatooer's Kit and gather the necessary components to begin your artistic journey.

Additionally, you craft the start of your adornment. Choose two tattoos from the Tattoo Adornment section below. While you must adhere to the location requirements of the tattoo, at your option, the tattoo can take on any style you deem appropriate. You may only have one tattoo for each location with the obvious exemption of arms, legs, and hands. In these instances, any desired effects must be declared prior to any roll made.

You gain one additional tattoo of your choice at 6th, 11th, and 17th levels. Given the magical nature of your inks, whenver you adorn your body with a new tattoo, you may force the old ink out and replace one existing tattoo with another from the Tattoo Adornment section.

Mystic Henna

At 6th level, you gain the ability to imbue your allies with temporary gifts of power through henna adornment.

Over the course of a short rest, you may adorn yourself or one ally with your art, foregoing any benefits of your short rest, including the recovery of expended ki. Select one of the benefits from the Henna table. This benefit remains in place until your next short or long rest or until you adorn another ally. Only one henna benefit from this feature can be in effect at a time.

Starting at 11th level, you may adorn up to three allies with the same henna effect over the course of a short rest.

At 17th level, you may, over the course of a long rest, adorn up to ten allies. All allies adorned benefit from the same effect regardless of variation in artwork and the effect remains until your next long rest.

Henna

Name Effect Heart of Ki Bearer gains temporary hit points equal to your Monk level. Focus of the Mystic While worn, the bearer is considered under the effects of the guidance cantrip. This effect does not require concentration. Body of Ki While worn, the bearer is considered under the effects of the resistance cantrip. This effect does not require concentration. Ki's Third Eye While worn, the bearer is under the effects of the darkvision spell. Soul's Tether While adorned, you always know the direction, distance, and overall health of the bearer as long as they are on the same plane of existence as you.

Tattoo Adornment

The tattoo adornaments are presented in order of required location. If a tattoo requires a level, you must be that level in this class to apply that technique.

Head and Face

Air of the Ancestors (Requires Level 11). Your face is adorned with images of elemental air. You no longer need to breathe to survive as your mystical ink absorbs, filters, or generates air from your surroundings, even in areas of little or no air such as underwater.

Mind's Eye (Requires Level 6). An image of mystical sight or an eye adorns your forehead. You may cast augury as a ritual without providing material components. You are gifted with a strong feeling that reflects the results of the spell.

Wind's Whisper. Mystical emblems of spiritual connection adorn your neck, scalp, or face. You may cast the message cantrip at will.

Aura of Ki. You adorn your scalp and face with images of flowing ki. You may expend 1 ki point as a bonus action on your turn to see the faint ki auras around even hidden and invisible creatures for 1 minute. Only you are able to see these auras.

Mystic Awareness. (Requires level 6). Decorations of connected threads, glowing suns, or other forces of illumination adorn your face and neck. Your awareness blossoms, when you roll initiative, you can treat a roll of 9 or lower as a 10.