Traveling through the Astral Plane by means of the astral projection spell involves projecting one’s consciousness there, usually in search of a gateway to an Outer Plane to visit. Since the Outer Planes are as much spiritual states of being as they are physical places, this allows an individual to manifest in an Outer Plane as if he or she had physically traveled there, but as if in a dream. An individual's death-either in the Astral Plane or on the destination plane-causes no actual harm. Only the severing of a character’s silver cord while on the Astral Plane (or the death of his or her helpless physical body on the Material Plane) can result in the character’s true death. Thus, high-level characters sometimes travel to the Outer Planes by way of astral projection rather than seek out a portal or use a more direct spell.
Only a few things can sever a traveler’s silver cord, the most common being a psychic wind (described below). An individual who travels bodily to the Astral Plane (by means of the plane shift spell or one of the odd portals that leads directly there) has no silver cord.
Dreamers
Some on Orizon are born with a connection to the astral plane. Every night, when they go to sleep, they visit the astral plane. With training or practice they may become able to control themselves while they are there, otherwise they may simply believe that they are dreaming.
Dreamers are valued as seers and oracles for their ability to travel the astral plane and gain those insights. The stronger the dreamer, the clearer they can see within the astral plane, and the clearer the information they can obtain while in there.
Psychic Wind
A psychic wind isn’t a physical wind like that found on the Material Plane, but a storm of thought that batters travelers’ minds rather than their bodies. A psychic wind is made up of lost memories, forgotten ideas, minor musings, and subconscious fears that went astray in the Astral Plane and conglomerated into this powerful force.
A psychic wind is first sensed as a rapid darkening of the silver-gray sky. After a few rounds, the area becomes as dark as a moonless night. As the sky darkens, the traveler feels buffeting and shaking, as if the plane itself was rebelling against the storm. As quickly as it comes, the psychic wind passes, and the sky returns to normal in a few rounds.