Fist of the Forest

There are some druids who, rather than transforming into animals, see it as a nobler goal to accept that they themselves are an animal, and attempt to transform into the ideal version of themselves. This has made their philosophy quite compatible with that of many monks, as there has been a cross-pollination of ideas as a result. The fists of the forest are the result of this, blending martial prowess with druidic mysticism to devastating effect.

Class Features

Diminished Spellcasting

A fist of the forests’ number of spells per day for each spell level is one less than normal (for example, a 4th-level fist of the forest can cast three cantrips, two 1st level spells, and one 2nd level spell per day). If this reduces the number of spells for a level to 0, she gains only the bonus spells for that level she would be entitled to based on her Wisdom score.

Unarmed Strike

At 1st level, a fist of the forest gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A fist of the forest may attack with fists, nails, elbows, teeth, knees, and feet. This means that a fist of the forest may make unarmed strikes with her hands full. A fist of the forest applies her full Strength modifier (not half) on damage rolls for all her unarmed strikes.

Usually, a fist of the forest’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but she can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on her attack roll. She has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.

A fist of the forest’s unarmed strike is treated as both a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that modify either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.

A fist of the forest also deals more damage with her unarmed strikes than others, dealing unarmed damage as a monk of the same level.

Martial Flexibility (Ex)

Starting at 4th-level, a fist of the forest can take a move action to gain the benefit of a combat feat she doesn’t possess. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The fist of the forest must meet all the feat’s prerequisites. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + 1/2 her fist of the forest level.

The fist of the forest can use this ability again before the duration expires in order to replace the previous combat feat with another choice.

If a combat feat has a daily use limitation (such as Stunning Fist), any uses of that combat feat while using this ability count toward that feat’s daily limit.

At 6th level, a fist of the forest can use this ability to gain the benefit of two combat feats at the same time. She may select one feat as a swift action or two feats as a move action. She may use one of these feats to meet a prerequisite of the second feat; doing so means that she cannot replace a feat currently fulfilling another’s prerequisite without also replacing those feats that require it. Each individual feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability.

At 10th level, a fist of the forest can use this ability to gain the benefit of three combat feats at the same time. She may select one feat as a free action, two feats as a swift action, or three feats as a move action. She may use one of the feats to meet a prerequisite of the second and third feats, and use the second feat to meet a prerequisite of the third feat. Each individual feat selected counts towards her daily uses of this ability.

At 12th level, a fist of the forest can use this ability to gain the benefit of one combat feat as an immediate action or three combat feats as a swift action. Each individual feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability.

At 20th level, a fist of the forest can use this ability to gain the benefit of any number of combat feats as a swift action. Each feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability.

This ability replaces wild shape.