What They Don't Tell You About The Astral Plane - D&D

Summary

This video dives deep into the mysterious and dangerous nature of the Astral Plane in Dungeons & Dragons. It explores key aspects like the effects of aging, hunger, and the absence of interdimensional spaces in the Astral. The ease and risks of magic, including addiction and magical psychosis, are discussed, along with the limitations of magic items like bags of holding. The video also touches on the potential dangers of spellcasting in the Astral, where magic becomes addictive and destabilizing. Upcoming topics will delve into Astral projection, dead gods, and the Githyanki.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aging in the Astral Plane doesn't happen while you're there, but once you leave, time catches up with you quickly, and you will age rapidly.
• 🍔 Hunger is a well-known effect after leaving the Astral, but it doesn't cause death. Travelers often seek food from vendors near portals for profit.
• 🛏️ Despite most bodily functions being eliminated in the Astral, sleep remains necessary because it is a mental function.
• 📦 Interdimensional spaces, such as bags of holding, do not work in the Astral Plane, as it is not a physical location but rather a 'lack of location'.
• 🚫 Spells related to the ethereal realm, inner planes, or shadow magic do not function in the Astral Plane.
• ⚡ Magic in the Astral Plane is quickened, meaning spells are cast much faster than normal, often as bonus actions or in half the usual time.
• 🧠 Spending extended time in the Astral can lead to an addiction to casting magic due to its ease and pleasurable nature, resulting in reckless spell use.
• 😈 Spell addiction in the Astral leads to a compulsion to cast spells even in non-threatening situations, with users prioritizing magic over other activities.
• 💥 Magical psychosis is a greater risk for spellcasters in the Astral, where the combination of magic and mental energy could cause homicidal, paranoid, and schizophrenic behavior.
• ⚖️ Magical psychosis and spell addiction can only be cured through magical means, such as restoration spells or other insanity-curing enchantments.
• 🌌 Future videos will explore further topics related to the Astral Plane, such as Astral Projection, dead gods, and the Githyanki race.

Q & A

What happens to travelers' age while they are in the Astral Plane?

Time does not pass in the Astral Plane, so travelers do not age while there. However, when they leave, they experience rapid aging, where every single day spent in the Astral is felt in just a few minutes.

Can you experience hunger in the Astral Plane?

Yes, hunger still catches up with travelers in the Astral. Though nobody has died from hunger in the Astral, the ravenous hunger felt upon leaving the plane is well known, with food trucks often set up near popular portals to cater to travelers.

Is sleep required in the Astral Plane?

Yes, sleep is required in the Astral Plane, even though other physical needs may be diminished. Sleep remains a necessary function of the mind in this plane.

How does magic work differently in the Astral Plane?

Magic is significantly easier to cast in the Astral Plane, with spells being quickened and cast as bonus actions. Spells that normally take longer, like 10-minute rituals, will be cast in half the time.

Do magic items like bags of holding work in the Astral Plane?

No, magic items such as bags of holding either do not function in the Astral Plane or may open into their full sizes, becoming impractical. For example, a bag of holding could appear as large as a room, akin to a giant parachute.

Why can't extra-dimensional spaces exist in the Astral Plane?

The Astral Plane is not a physical location but rather a lack of a defined space. As a result, creating extra-dimensional spaces like planes or interdimensional areas is impossible, as the required power is considered monumental and beyond the reach of anyone except possibly a greater deity.

What is 'magical addiction' in the Astral Plane?

Magical addiction occurs when spellcasters become addicted to the ease and pleasure of casting spells in the Astral Plane. This addiction makes them constantly crave the magical feeling and leads them to cast spells frivolously, even when not needed, causing negative consequences once they leave the plane.

What is magical psychosis, and how does it affect spellcasters?

Magical psychosis is a condition where the combination of magic and mental energies in the Astral Plane drives a spellcaster insane. Those affected may become paranoid, homicidal, or schizophrenic, and this condition requires magical healing to cure.

Why do deities avoid the Astral Plane?

Deities avoid the Astral Plane because marking their territory there could lead to a deific war. The Astral is seen as a 'no-man's land,' and any god trying to claim a space could potentially ignite a conflict among the gods.

What are the next topics to be covered in future videos about the Astral Plane?

The next topics will include astral projection, dead gods (whose corpses fall into the Astral when they die), and the Githyanki, a race associated with the Astral. These will provide deeper insights into the Astral Plane and its mysteries.