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Astral Projection

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Astral Projection
  • Level: 9
  • School: Necromancy
  • Class: Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
  • Casting Time: 1 hour
  • Range: 10 feet
  • Components: V, S, M (for each of the spell's targets, one jacinth worth 1,000+ GP and one silver bar worth 100+ GP, all of which the spell consumes)
  • Duration: Until dispelled

You and up to eight willing creatures within range project your astral bodies into the Astral Plane (the spell ends instantly if you are already on that plane). Each target's body is left behind in a state of suspended animation; it has the Unconscious condition, doesn't need food or air, and doesn't age.

A target's astral form resembles its body in almost every way, replicating its game statistics and possessions. The principal difference is the addition of a silvery cord that trails from between the shoulder blades of the astral form. The cord fades from view after 1 foot. If the cord is cut-which happens only when an effect states that it does so-the target's body and astral form both die.

A target's astral form can travel through the Astral Plane. The moment an astral form leaves that plane, the target's body and possessions travel along the silver cord, causing the target to re-enter its body on the new plane.

Any damage or other effects that apply to an astral form have no effect on the target's body and vice versa. If a target's body or astral form drops to 0 Hit Points, the spell ends for that target. The spell ends for all the targets if you take a Magic action to dismiss it.

When the spell ends for a target who isn't dead, the target reappears in its body and exits the state of suspended animation.

Tactical Usage​

When to Choose Astral Projection:

  • Ultimate solution for interplanar travel and exploration
  • Essential for reaching planes inaccessible by other means
  • Excellent for reconnaissance missions to dangerous planes
  • Valuable for escaping deadly situations through planar travel

Risk Management:

  • Physical bodies remain vulnerable while projecting
  • Secure location essential for extended astral travel
  • Silvery cord represents critical vulnerability point
  • Plan for astral form death and emergency returns

Group Coordination:

  • Up to 8 allies can travel together
  • Each participant requires expensive components
  • Coordinate timing for synchronized projection
  • Establish communication protocols for astral travel

Spell Combinations​

Preparation Synergies:

  • Guards and Wards: Protect physical bodies during projection
  • Alarm: Early warning for threats to unconscious bodies
  • Glyph of Warding: Triggered defenses for projection site
  • Private Sanctum: Prevent detection of vulnerable bodies

Emergency Protocols:

  • Clone: Backup bodies in case of astral death
  • Contingency: Automatic responses to threats
  • Wish: Ultimate emergency escape or restoration
  • Plane Shift: Alternative return method if needed

Material Component Details​

Jacinth (1,000+ GP per target):

  • Rarity: Precious gemstone, difficult to obtain
  • Quality: Higher value increases astral form stability
  • Preparation: Must be attuned to each individual participant
  • Consumption: Completely destroyed in the casting process

Silver Bar (100+ GP per target):

  • Purity: High-quality silver essential for cord formation
  • Symbolism: Represents connection between body and soul
  • Weight: Substantial material component requirement
  • Cost: Significant investment for group projection

Roleplay Opportunities:

  • Describe the ritual preparation and component consecration
  • Reference the spiritual significance of soul-body separation
  • Use component cost as major campaign decision point
  • Emphasize the permanent nature of the magical investment

Creator Notes​

Adjudication Guidance:

  • Bodies remain physically present and vulnerable
  • Astral forms have full character capabilities
  • Silver cord can only be cut by specific effects
  • "Until dispelled" means potentially indefinite duration

Campaign Integration:

  • Opens access to entire cosmological planes
  • Enables high-level planar adventures and storylines
  • Creates opportunities for epic-scale conflicts
  • Allows exploration of fundamental D&D cosmology

Balancing Considerations:

  • 9th-level slot represents ultimate magical investment
  • Massive component cost prevents casual usage
  • Risk of permanent death balances incredible power
  • Hour casting time prevents tactical abuse

Environmental Interactions​

Astral Plane Properties:

  • Timeless realm where aging ceases
  • Thought-based movement and travel
  • Connection hub to all other planes
  • Inhabited by unique astral creatures

Planar Travel Mechanics:

  • Can exit onto any plane accessible from Astral
  • Instantaneous travel across vast cosmological distances
  • Bodies automatically follow when leaving Astral Plane
  • No environmental limitations on destination

Security Considerations:

  • Physical bodies completely helpless during projection
  • Astral forms vulnerable to plane-specific threats
  • Silver cord represents unique point of absolute vulnerability
  • Dispelling or disruption can strand travelers

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can astral forms carry extra equipment or bring back items? A: Yes, astral forms can manipulate objects and bring possessions back.

Q: What happens if someone dispels the magic on the unconscious body? A: The spell ends for that target, returning them to their body immediately.

Q: Can astral forms be affected by charm or mind control? A: Yes, astral forms are subject to all normal spell effects.

Q: How fast can astral forms travel? A: Movement in the Astral Plane is limited only by thought and will.

Alternative Applications​

Epic Campaign Uses:

  • Planar Diplomacy: Direct communication with extraplanar entities
  • Cosmic Exploration: Investigation of fundamental planar mysteries
  • Divine Quests: Missions assigned by deities or cosmic entities
  • Ultimate Escape: Flee threats that span entire material planes

Creative Problem-Solving:

  • Bypass impossibly dangerous material plane threats
  • Access information or resources only available on other planes
  • Establish permanent outposts on multiple planes
  • Coordinate multi-planar strategic operations

Planar Magic:

  • Plane Shift: Direct planar travel with specific destinations
  • Gate: Permanent portal creation
  • Banishment: Temporary planar removal
  • Etherealness: Travel through adjacent ethereal plane

Soul Magic:

  • Clone: Backup body creation
  • Magic Jar: Soul transfer and possession
  • Soul Cage: Capture and manipulation of souls
  • Resurrection Magic: Return from death

9th-Level Alternatives:

  • Wish: Reality alteration magic
  • Time Stop: Temporal manipulation
  • Meteor Swarm: Ultimate destruction
  • Gate: Planar portal creation

Scaling Analysis​

Character Level Requirements:

  • Level 17+: Only available to highest-level characters
  • Campaign Climax: Appropriate for epic-tier adventures
  • Ultimate Power: Represents pinnacle of magical achievement

Resource Investment:

  • Component Cost: 9,900+ GP for solo projection, 89,100+ GP for full group
  • Spell Slot: Most precious magical resource
  • Risk Factor: Potential permanent character death

Campaign Impact:

  • Fundamentally alters scope of possible adventures
  • Enables exploration of entire D&D cosmology
  • Creates opportunities for god-tier storylines
  • Represents transition from mortal to cosmic-scale concerns

Narrative Flavor​

Extended Description: For a full hour, you carefully arrange the precious components in mystical patterns while speaking words of power that reach beyond the material realm itself. As the final syllable echoes through reality, you feel your consciousness suddenly detach from your physical form, floating free as a translucent projection of your very soul. A gossamer thread of silver light connects you to your motionless body, while around you the familiar material world fades away, replaced by the infinite silver void of the Astral Plane—a realm where thoughts become movement and will becomes reality.

Sensory Details:

  • Spiritual: Profound sense of soul separating from flesh
  • Visual: Silver void filled with floating debris and distant portals
  • Temporal: Awareness of existing outside normal time flow
  • Cosmic: Sense of connection to fundamental forces of reality

Cultural Context: Astral Projection represents the ultimate achievement of spiritual magic, allowing mortal beings to transcend the limitations of physical existence. Different religious and magical traditions may interpret this differently—some seeing it as divine gift, others as dangerous overreach of mortal ambition. The spell embodies the eternal tension between body and soul, mortality and transcendence.