Way of the Runes

Monks of the Way of the Runes are ascetic scholars of the magic runes. They spend years meditating on the deeper meanings of these symbols, hoping to find the hidden secrets that are hidden within. They are then able to use these insights to grant themselves elemental boosts in combat.

Some monks spend their entire careers delving into the shrouded meanings of a single rune, others focus on their crafts as runescribes with chisel or brush, yet others study ancient documents and stelae to learn the recorded history and lore of the world.

The Carver's Retreat on Kiniden is the largest monastery following this monastic tradition. Initiates there live a secluded lifestyle, but once they reach Novice rank they go out into the world to learn from it. The initiation rituals include finding the perfect piece of wood to craft a personal inscribed bo staff, which along with their grey garb, their carving tools, and a small food bowl are the only personal possessions the are allowed until they reach higher ranks. By forsaking material things, their spirit hardens into a weapon to rival any sword.

When you make a monk following this tradition, consider how their artistry is expressed. Do they chip runes into great stone stelae, or use fine calligraphy brushes and rare inks? Perhaps they use their staff to scribe runes in the sands of a desert or beach, only to have their ephemeral work erased by the winds or waves? The opportunities are endless, and do not be afraid to take an unconventional path.

Rune Strike

3rd-level Way of the Runes feature

You have started your journey to understanding the magic of the runes. During a short or long rest, you can meditate on the meaning of a rune to gain the power of its associated damage type as a runic focus.

Once per turn when you hit with a monk weapon, you can spend 1 Ki point in order to deal additional damage of the type associated with the rune you have focused on (if your focus is associated with multiple damage types, you choose each time you hit). The damage equals one roll of your Martial Arts die plus your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1).

If you deal a critical hit on an eligible attack, you can use Rune Strike for free on that attack, even if you have already used it this turn.

The Runic Focus Table

Rune	Damage type	Runic Meditation effect
s Sowilo	Fire	You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet
i Isaz	Cold	The range of your monk weapon attacks increases by 5 feet
x Thurisaz	Thunder/Lightning	When you use Step of the Wind, you gain a flight speed equal to your walking speed until the start of your next turn
k Kauna	Poison/Acid	Targets you hit with Rune Strike have disadvantage on attacks until the start of your next turn
p Pertho	Necrotic	Targets you hit with Rune Strike cannot regain hit points until the start of your next turn

Scholar of the Runes

3rd-level Way of the Runes feature

Diligent study of the runes and their deeper meaning have given you insights into the world. You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice from Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. Whenever you make an Intelligence ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Intelligence modifier.

Additionally, you gain proficiency in Mason's Tools, Woodcarver's Tools, or Calligrapher's Tools.

Protective Runes

6th-level Way of the Runes feature

Your understanding of the runes have deepened, letting you utilize not only their offensive magic, but also use them for defensive purposes.

When you meditate during a rest, you can focus on the warding meanings of a rune (it does not need to be the same rune as your Rune Strike focus). You gain resistance to the damage type(s) associated with that rune, as indicated in the Rune table.

You can also recall previous insights earned during your meditation. As an action, you can switch one or more of your current runic foci. Once you do this, you need to finish a long rest before you can do so again (you can still change your foci during a short rest).

Runic Meditation

11th-level Way of the Runes feature

You have gained a deep understanding of the meaning of runes. You gain a third runic focus, which gives you an additional effect depending on which rune you focus on.

Additionally, the damage of Rune Strike increases to two rolls of your Martial Arts die plus your Wisdom modifier.

Master Runecarver

17th-level Way of the Runes feature

The secrets of the runes have been laid bare to you. As a bonus action, you can become an avatar of the runes for one minute. Illusory runes swirl around your body and your eyes glow while it is active.

While in this form, your Rune Strike does not cost Ki and deals 5 Martial Arts dice of damage (you choose the damage type from any of your runic foci). You focus on all the defensive runes at once, gaining all their resistances, as well as +2 AC. You also gain all the Runic Meditation effects at the same time.

This effect ends early if you become Incapacitated or die and once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest, unless you expend 10 Ki points to do so.