Vestimancy

One of the few casting arts which can be achieved by non-casters, vestimancy, also more commonly known as the ability to astral project, involves the temporary detachment of an individual’s soul vessel from their physical body.

Learning Process
In order to learn how to perform a vestimantic projection an individual must have their soul vessel manually detached from their body from/by an external source first. After the vessel has been completely detached by said external source the user may attempt to replicate the detached state.

Learning to replicate the state has been described as learning to move without moving one’s body. At the early phases of learning it is advised to bind one’s body to a location to avoid actual movement while practicing, and also as a safety precaution as when projecting the body falls into a coma like state.

To reconnect back with their physical body the individual only needs to touch any part of their original body, and therefore is the easiest aspect of projection to learn.

Casting Characteristics
In a projected state an individual is unable to interact with the physical world and has limited senses, with the only ones available being hearing and sight. Even with these two senses they are inherently dulled, i.e. sounds will be muffled, and colour can only be seen in the environment around them up to roughly 5 feet, with the remaining outside environment only being outlined by soul essence if present. However if the projected individual concentrates, the senses will be restored to a level of competence akin to what they would see, or hear in their physical body.

Despite the inherent limits to common senses, projection presents its own unique sense known as ‘the third eye’, this sense works similarly to sight in that the individual projecting can see and feel; others also projecting even when they are invisible to the world, the presence and use of essence, and runes glowing through objects.

Another feature of projection is that the individual may be visible or invisible to others in the world. Visibility itself is typically an unconscious process, but with practice can be a conscious decision. One’s appearance when projecting will always be a translucent white shape which resembles their physical body, but with simplified characteristics, i.e. no irises, hair outline, etc.

Projected individuals may move or float in any direction they choose, however they are limited as to how far they may move away from their physical body. This is known as the ‘tether distance’, and it can vary on an individual basis. With practice the tether distance may be increased, however the typical distance is around 20 feet.

Due to a lack of physical presence, projecting individuals are able to pass through objects, however while going through an object, more specifically the head, the individual will feel a sensation of being unable to breathe. This lack of breath limits how long an individual may attempt to pass through or hide in an object, if their limit is reached the individual will be forced back into their body.

Casters are still able to expend their essence in the same way as they could in their physical body, however the essence available while projecting is inherently less as the minimum essence capacity remains with their physical body to keep it functioning.

Uses

 * Explore hazardous environments safely
 * Spy on locations or people
 * Communicate with others in private
 * Continue training or studying

Trivia

 * While projecting the coma like state an individual’s body undergoes cannot enter REM sleep, meaning that it is not a suitable replacement for sleep.
 * An individual’s ability to pass through thicker surfaces, or barriers correlates with their ability to hold their breath in their physical body.
 * The ability 'Astral Projection' in non-casters is considered taboo, as the main way for non-casters to get their soul vessels initially detached is through devoid possession.