The Way of the Frayed Knot is a Monk subclass that attempts to feature some Western fantasy tropes. The most common of these is Friar Tuck from Robin Hood, but there are other studious, religious types that fought alongside rogues and pirates.

Some ignored their ideals. Others felt that the ideals of the gang or troop were more in common with their religious beliefs. In the magical settings of most versions of D&D the Way of the Frayed Knot will have some amount of overlap with a Cleric. While these Monks commonly use bludgeoning weapons, it is not required mechanically, though I’m tempted to make it so.

This is a work in progress for a subclass of Monk. Language still needs adjustments to meet 5e. My purpose in sharing is to garner feedback about the concept as it fits the description and entertainment within most 5e paradigms. A lot of the power is wrapped up in Cleric spells as rituals.

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Cloistered Student

At 3rd level, when selecting this Monastic Tradition, you gain proficiency in Religion (or another Intelligence skill if you already have Religion) as well as a proficiency in one of the following artisan tools — Brewer’s Supplies, Calligrapher’s Supplies, Mason’s Tools, Painter’s Supplies, or Woodcarver’s Tools.

Circle of Life

At 3rd level you gain access to the ability to Channel Divinity. You have one use per short or long rest at this level. At 8th and 18th level you gain an additional use of this ability.

Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals your spell save DC (8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier).

The Channel Divinity options available are Preserve Life and Sacred Weapon (with Wisdom being the attribute connected to that Paladin ability). You may also use 3 Ki Points towards a Channel Divinity. This cost replaces the per rest cost for that specific usage.

You may pay 1 Ki Point to cast the following Cleric spells as Rituals at 3rd level;

• Ceremony (XGtE)
• Detect Magic
• Detect Poison and Disease
• Purify Food and Drink

At 5th level you gain access to the following Rituals, at the cost of 1 2 Ki Points;

• Gentle Repose
• Silence

At 9th level you gain access to the following spells as a Ritual, at the cost of 1 4 Ki Points;

• Feign Death
• Water Walk

At 13th level you gain access to the following spell as a Ritual, at the cost of 1 7 Ki Points;

• Divination

At 17th level you gain access to the following spell as a Ritual, at the cost of 1 11 Ki Points;

• Commune

Live to Fight

Starting at 6th level you are able to cast Prayer of Healing at the cost of 2 Ki Points. Your spellcasting ability modifier for this Prayer is Wisdom.

The use of an additional Ki Point increases the spell level by 1, granting an additional 1d8 of healing to the spell.

You also gain proficiency in Healer’s Tools if you do not have this proficiency. If you do have this proficiency, you are granted double your proficiency bonus on checks for this tool.

Submission

At 11th level your blows are now so potent that Stunning Strike no longer costs a point of Ki.

Kneel Before the Gods

At 17th level when you Stun a creature they fall Prone. You also gain an additional two blows from Flurry of Blows. Those blows can be against any target within your reach.