Undead themed monk archetype (not hungry ghost)

[Rocky Williams 530]

Howdy! I'm part of a group playing an evilish (kinda up for debate on some characters) campaign where we're all worshipers of the god of the undead. Not really relevant why, but we're currently creating a monastery dedicated to the god, where undeath can be researched, and his monks can reside and contemplate the perfection of undeath.

I'm trying to create an archetype of monk to go with this theme. Hungry ghost is neat and all, but I'm looking for something that's MORE undead themed. Maybe even replacing the 20th level ability with one that turns him into either one of the intelligent undead, or possibly a unique intelligent undead. Anyone have any advice? Tips? Possibly a whole archetype waiting in the wings to be delivered into my lap??? I'll post mine up here once I'm past the initial brainstorming and hmm stages.

Thanks for anything you can give!

[+5 Toaster]

well acquiring the half-undead type over time, possibly replacing some of those "physical enlightenment" abilities like wholeness of body, tongue and moon, and maybe diamond soul. truth be told, and i never noticed this before, but monks get a lot of the undead immunities. i simply change the capstone by swapping out all references to outsider with undead. i would call it one with death. just some thoughts. ooh last second brainstorm, tongue of sun and moon should be replaced with permanent speak with dead!

[Rynjin]

Weeeel, lessee here. Perhaps think of a specific KIND of Undead that fits the Monk theme.

I think a variant Vampire or perhaps something like a JuJu Zombie would be appropriate.

So something like:

-Replace Stunning Fist with something like a Plague Touch or similar that infects the person injured by them with various sorts of virulent diseases, chosen by the user? Mechanically it could give conditions such as Nauseated which Stunning Fist already does, but instead of Stun or Blind/Deafen it allows you to do various ability damages as you level up (Dex/Str/Con most likely).

-Replace/augment Quivering Palm so it allows you to make an Undead Spawn of some kind after killing someone with it.

-Replace Diamond Soul, Wholeness of Body, Still Mind with a scaling "Undead Ascension" ability where the Monk, over the levels, takes on Undead Traits. Something like this:

--Still Mind replaced with Fearlessness (immunity to Fear Effects).

--Diamond Soul replaced with Undead Constitution, a bonus to saving throws against death effects, paralysis, sleep effects, and stunning.

--Wholeness of Body replaced with Undead Energy Affinity (healed by negative energy, harmed by positive energy) and the Monk gains Darkvision.

-Replace Timeless Body/Perfect Self (at level 17) with full Undead Immunities (Effectively bumps Fearlessness up to immunity to Mind-Affecting effects, Undead Constitution goes to full immunity) and give him channel resistance.

-Keep Diamond Body/Purity of Body, Slow Fall, High Jump, and Empty Body, they're thematically appropriate.

-Remove Tongue of the Sun and Moon (Though Toaster's idea may have some merit...) and Abundant Step.

Sound good?

[Rocky Williams 530]

Thank you all very much for your assistance. Rynjin especially so. I've basically just copied his suggestions, and tidied them up a bit. How does this sound? Not sure if some of the modifications I made make it too powerful or not. I really didn't want him to get to the 20th level ability, and have it where he'd have been better of just figuring out some way to become a JuJu zombie instead.

The Monk of Undeath seeks perfection through emulation of the undead. As he progresses upon the path, he begins to take more and more aspects of the undead he strives to emulate. Ultimately he realizes his goal, actually becoming an undead creature very similar to a JuJu zombie.

Stunning Fist: Functions as normal for the monk, except at 16th level, he can do 2 points of damage to a targets Str/Dex/Con. The monk must choose the type of damage at the time he chooses to use stunning fist. At 20th level, the monk can do damage to all three stats with one attack.

Undead Energy and sight: At 7th level, the monk gains negative nergy affinity, causing him to be healed by negative, and harmed by positive energy. The Monk also gains Darkvision. This ability replaces Wholeness of Body.

Undead Constitution: At 13th level, the monk gains a bonus to saving throws against mind-affecting effects, death effects, paralysis, sleep effects, and stunning equal to 1/4 his monk level. This ability replaces Diamond Soul.

Undead Immunities: At 17th level he acquires most of the Undead Traits, though since he is still alive at this stage, he does not lose his constitution score. He is immune to all mind affecting affects. He also now has channel resistance = 1/4 monk level, fire resistance = 1/2 monk level, as well as immune to electricity and magic missile. This ability replaces Timeless Body

Undeath Perfection: At 20th level the monk makes the final transition to undead status. His type becomes undead, and is affected by all spells and abilities as the undead. The monk gains DR 10/Law and Slashing. He also loses his constitution score, no longer being alive. As with all undead, his charisma modifier is now used for any effect needing constitution, possibly causing hit points to be recalculated, and he gains the remaining Undead Traits he did not get previously. He also gains +4 Str, +2 Dex, as well as receiving the Improved Initiative and Toughness feats as bonuses, if he does not already have them. Finally he gains a +8 racial bonus to the climb skill. Initially, his appearance is unchanged. Over time, his skin begins to take a more weathered appearance, eventually coming to look like tanned or aged leather stretched tight over his frame. This abilit replaces Abundant Step, Tongue of the Sun and the Moon, and Perfect Body.

[+5 Toaster]

one problem you flip con for chr as bonus hp at level 20. this is going to be a huge problem if you reach that high. con is a very important stat for monk survival, and charisma is almost always their dump stat. would recommend scaling it back to 5th level and replacing slowfall and highjump. then it's a little more palatable.

[+5 Toaster]

ooh new thought but you should swap out the wisdom ac bonus for a charisma deflection bonus.