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Astral projection (psionic)

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This article is about the psionic power. For the spell of the same name, see Astral projection.

Astral projection was a psionic power of the psychoportation discipline[1][2] that allowed a manifester to project themselves[1][2][5] and a number of companions into the Astral Plane for the purposes of traveling to other planes of existence.[1] In some respects it was similar to a cleric's astral spell[5] and the power probability travel.[2][6]

Effects[]

Astral Plane

Some travelers in the Astral Plane, tethered by their silver cords.

Unlike probability travel, which physically transported a manifester into the Astral Plane,[2][3][6][7] astral projection created an astral form,[2][3] a translucent, white projection of their own body[8] and all possessions on their person, leaving the physical body behind in a state of suspended animation.[1] And unlike both the astral spell and probability travel, a manifester could only transport themselves into the Astral Plane,[5][9] though in the late 14th century DR this distinction was found to have disappeared. When transporting others, the manifester and their passengers had to be linked together in a circle at the time of manifestation. Passengers had to remain with the manifester at all times, lest they risk being stranded on the Astral Plane. The power took a total of 30 minutes to manifest, but had an indefinite duration, terminating whenever the manifester desired. Negate psionics being manifested upon either the physical body or the astral form would terminate the power.[1]

This astral form was solid on the Astral Plane and behaved in most situations as though it were a physical body,[8] but its actions could only effect other things in the astral.[1][8] Much like the astral form created by the astral spell, this form was connected to the manifester's physical body by a silver cord,[1][2][3][8][10] which was visible for the first 5​ to ​10 feet (1.5​ to ​3 meters) that stretched out from the astral body[2][3][8][11] before merging with the plane,[11] fading out into an invisible and intangible state[2][3][8]

When an astral body finally reached a destination outside of the Astral Plane with a color pool, a temporary physical body was formed. This resembled the manifester's original body down to the exact detail,[2][3][12] including physical and mental abilities,[3] though lacked any of their physical possessions[3] except for magic items[2][8] and items under a spell effect,[8] and was still tethered to the physical body by the silver cord.[2] Due to the principle of "planar dissonance",[3] it was impossible for a manifester to enter and form a temporary body on the same plane of existence as their physical body,[2][3] not even by entering through a color pool,[12] nor could they direct magical or psionic powers into that plane.[2] The version of astral projection used in the late 14th century DR seemed to lack these restrictions.[1]

If either this second body or the astral form were to be destroyed, the silver cord and the manifester's consciousness would return to their physical body,[1][2][9][10] reviving it from its state of suspended animation.[1] There were no lasting consequences to this, although reports existed of subsequent wariness and severe headaches in the worst cases.[13]

If the nearly indestructible silver cord was somehow severed, the manifester would be simultaneously killed both astrally and materially,[9][10][14][15] with the astral form left to dissolve into the Astral Plane itself.[9] This death was irrevocable,[3][9][14][15] only possible to undo through powerful means such as the wish spell.[9]

For older versions of astral projection, a manifestation backfiring had the consequence of attracting the attention of some powerful entity within the Astral Plane.[2]

Displays[]

This power exhibited no display when manifested.[1]

Significance[]

The Dimensional anchor spell[16] and its psionic equivalent could prevent a manifester from using astral projection.[17]

Users[]

This power was knowable to psionicists[1][2][5] and wild talents.[4] It was particularly common as a wild talent among necromancers, whom were known for developing unusual mental abilities.[18]

Astral projection was exhibited as an innate psionic ability by baku,[19] ancient or older brainstealer dragons,[20] elder brains,[21][22] some githzerai,[23] psionic illithids,[24][25][26] adult intellect devourers,[27][28] opinicus,[29] and shedu.[30]

Powerful shamans of the Great Worm tribe, who worshiped Uthgar's Great Worm beast totem, were capable of assuming a "great worm" form that conferred a number of psionic abilities, including astral projection.[31][32]

Known/Notable Users[]

Appendix[]

Background[]

When psionics were updated for 3.5th edition in Expanded Psionics Handbook, the designers opted not to carry over astral projection, instead replacing it with two new powers, astral caravan and astral traveler.[37]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier and Powers & Pantheons both state that the "great worm" form an Uthgar shaman can shapechange into confers a number of psionic powers. The powers listed are nearly the same as those that were originally detailed for Elrem back in The Savage Frontier, thus it can be inferred that Elrem's psionic powers are not unique to him.

Appearances[]

Adventures

Dungeon #94, "Spiral of Manzessine"

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

The Mines of Sarbreen • A Meeting of Brains

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Bruce R. Cordell (March 2001). Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 53–54. ISBN 0786918357.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 68. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 25. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 111, 114. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 116. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  7. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (March 2001). Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 94. ISBN 0786918357.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 60. ISBN 0880383992.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 61. ISBN 0880383992.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Monte Cook (1996). The Planewalker's Handbook. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR), p. 31. ISBN 978-0786904600.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Monte Cook (January 1996). A Guide to the Astral Plane. Edited by Miranda Horner. (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-0438-0.
  13. ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting, A DM Guide to the Planes. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 978-1560768340.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 120. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 118. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
  16. ↑ Richard Baker (1996). Player's Option: Spells & Magic. (TSR, Inc), p. 171. ISBN 0-7869-0394-5.
  17. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (March 2001). Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 0786918357.
  18. ↑ Steve Kurtz (April 1, 1995). The Complete Book of Necromancers. (TSR, Inc), pp. 27–28. ISBN 0-7869-0106-3.
  19. ↑ Allen Varney, ed. (June 1994). Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-1560768623.
  20. ↑ Kevin Baase, Eric Jansing, Oliver Frank, and Bill Halliar (November 2005). “Monsters of the Mind – Minions of the Mindflayers”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #337 (Paizo Publishing), pp. 26–27.
  21. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
  22. ↑ Richard Baker, James Jacobs, and Steve Winter (April 2005). Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 145. ISBN 0-7869-3657-6.
  23. ↑ Don Turnbull (1981). Fiend Folio. (TSR Hobbies), p. 45. ISBN 0-9356-9621-0.
  24. ↑ Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 70. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  25. ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 251. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  26. ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
  27. ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 117. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
  28. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 64. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
  29. ↑ Monstrous Compendium included in Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). City of Delights. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
  30. ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 119. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “The Wilderness”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 33. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  33. ↑ Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
  34. ↑ Kevin Melka, John Terra (March 1995). “Adventure Book”. In David Wise ed. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc.), pp. 43–44. ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
  35. ↑ R.A. Salvatore, Michael Leger, Douglas Niles (1992). Menzoberranzan (The Houses). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.
  36. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
  37. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (April 2004). Expanded Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 76–78. ISBN 0-7869-3301-1.
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