Initiation Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You create a Large hand of whirling, forceful air in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. The gust lasts for the form's duration, and it moves at your command, mimicking the movements of your hands.
The gust is a tightly focused vortex of wind, and is an object with AC 20 and hit points equal to your hit point maximum. If it drops to 0 hit points, the form ends. It has a Strength of 26 (+8) and a Dexterity of 10 (+0). The gust doesn't fill its space. When you initiate the form, and as a bonus action on your subsequent turns, you can move the gust up to 60 feet and then cause one of the following effects with it.
Focused Strike. The gust strikes one creature or object within 5 feet of it. Make a melee ki attack for the gust using your game statistics. On a hit, the target takes 4d8 bludgeoning damage.
Forceful Push. The gust attempts to push a creature within 5 feet of it in a direction you choose. Make a check with the gust's Strength contested by the Strength (Athletics) check of the target. If the target is Medium or smaller, you have advantage on the check. If you succeed, the gust pushes the target up to 5 feet plus a number of feet equal to five times your ki ability modifier. The gust moves with the target to remain within 5 feet of it.
Howling Gust. The gust attempts to grapple a Huge or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. You use the gust's Strength score to resolve the grapple. If the target is Medium or smaller, you have advantage on the check. While the gust is grappling a target, you can use a bonus action to have the gust crush it. When you do so, the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 2d6 + your ki ability modifier.
Interposing Wind. The gust interposes itself between you and a creature you choose until you choose a new target. The gust moves to stay between you and the target, providing you with half cover against the target. The target can't move through the gust's space if its Strength score is less than or equal to the gust's Strength score. If its Strength score is higher than the gust's Strength score, the target can move toward you throw the gust's space, but that space is difficult terrain for the target.
At Higher Levels. When you initiate this form at a higher level, the damage from the Focused Strike option increases by 2d8, and damage from the Howling Gust option increases by 2d6 for each level above 5th.