u/FreeArmorTrim

Hey all, I started cutting about a year ago with the intention to slim down to 180. I had no real physique goals at the time, but once I hit 180 and realized I had control over my weight, I set the goal of visible abs.

I started doing weighted cable crunches 3 times a week with progressive overload along my usual weightlifting, calorie deficit, and 10k steps a day. I fell into the common trap of thinking I was starting out with much more lean mass than reality, and now I feel I’ve actually gotten too small. I’m not looking to get 10% shredded, but I’m hoping to see some ab definition in the right lighting which sounds to be in the ~15% body fat range. Now I’m at a point where I’m too small, but I think my body fat percentage is probably still higher than my goal BF%.

So, with all this in mind, should I start a bulk to put on some more muscle and really focus on the hypertrophy of my abdominal muscles before cutting again, or stick with the cut now and the abs will come in due time?

Referencing this from the Lich entry of the Monster Manual: “Rejuvenation: If it has a phylactery, a destroyed lich gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.”

Initially, I assumed if the Lich has a phylactery it would respawn regardless of means of death, but after reading this from the Astral Projection spell: “Your astral body resembles your mortal form in almost every way, replicating your game statistics and possessions. The principal difference is the addition of a silvery cord that extends from between your shoulder blades and trails behind you, fading to invisibility after 1 foot. This cord is your tether to your material body. As long as the tether remains intact, you can find your way home. If the cord is cut-something that can happen only when an effect specifically states that it does-your soul and body are separated, killing you instantly.”

Now I’m torn. I think the intent of the rejuvenation ability is immortality dependent on the status of the phylactery, but it specifically mentions the body and not the soul. In the event of a severed cord by astral projection, the issue is not a lack of body but a separation of body and soul.

What do you think? How would you rule this play out at your table?

Is it time to start bulking?

If the cord of an Astral Projected Lich is severed, do they respawn?