Way of the Volcano (5e Subclass)
Way of the Volcano[edit]
Monk Subclass
The Way of the Volcano is a tradition of both destruction and grace. Hailing from a nation of islands off the main continent, its style of combat can appear more like a dance or ritual than a martial art. Each kick, every punch has a deep meaning and is a form of expression and devotion. The Way of the Volcano allows practitioners to harness the power of its namesake and become forces of unbridled destruction. However, with great destruction comes mighty rejuvenation. The philosophy of this monastic tradition, is to destroy that which must be destroyed, so that something even greater may grow from the ashes.
- Mark of the Mantle
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Performance skill, or expertise if you are already proficient.
You also gain a special tattoo that represents the expression of your power. This tattoo starts from the center of your back and extends to your shoulders and waist. You determine its appearance, or generate it randomly by rolling on the Mark of the Mantle table.
| 1d6 | Mark Appearance |
|---|---|
| 1 | Volcano |
| 2 | Lava Lily |
| 3 | Phoenix |
| 4 | Tsunami |
| 5 | Dancer |
| 6 | Wings |
- Poino Hula
At 3rd level, the earth begins to rumble as you perform your dance of destruction. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 Ki Point to begin your Poino Hula. When you do so, your Mark of the Mantle begins to glow like fire.
This dance lasts for 10 minutes, or until you fall unconscious or die.
While you perform your dance, you gain the following benefits:
- Your unarmed strikes and any monk weapon you are wielding, deal extra fire damage equal to a roll of your martial arts die.
- You have advantage on Performance checks and Dexterity saving throws.
- You have resistance to fire damage.
- War Haka
At 3rd level, your movements cause fear to rumble in the hearts of your enemies. As an action, you can spend 2 Ki Points to force all creatures of your choice within 30ft of you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature is frightened of you for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. Once a creature succeeds their save against this effect, they are immune to it for the next 24 hours.
- Smoldering Spirit
When you reach 6th level, your dance becomes more ferocious and dangerous. As a bonus action, or as part of beginning your Poino Hula, you can spend 1 Ki Point to cause your entire body to burn hot like lava. It ends early if you fall unconscious or die. While Smoldering Spirit is active, any hostile creature that hits you with a melee attack, or starts its turn within 5ft of you, takes fire damage equal to a roll of your martial arts die.
- Obsidian Soul
Starting at 11th level, you begin the final stage of your deadly dance. When performing your Poino Hula with Smoldering Spirit, you can unleash your Obsidian Soul performance (no action required). This stage of the dance causes your skin to char and shine like obsidian as you gather more Ki. While in this stage of the dance, you gain the following benefits:
- You are immune to fire damage.
- You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
- Erupting Heart
Starting at 17th level, your dance comes to a climactic finale, turning you into an unbridled force of destruction. As a bonus action, you can spend 5 Ki Points to summon the power of every stage of your Poino Hula. This grand performance lasts for 10 minutes, or until you fall unconscious or die. While Erupting Heart is being performed, you gain the following benefits:
- You are put under the effects of Ashardalon's Stride without requiring concentration. Its fire damage also equals your martial arts die.
- Any fire damage you deal from this tradition's abilities ignores resistances and treats immunities as resistance.
- You can use Flurry of Blows without spending a Ki Point.
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Character Options → Subclasses