[RPG] Would the Gate spell summon the physical body of someone using Astral Projection or summon their projection

dnd-5espells

Would the spell gate summon the physical body of someone (either the caster or a party member) using astral projection, or would it summon their projection? (Or both).
To add on to that, would someone know that their physical body had been summoned if they were astrally projected?

Best Answer

Both, Neither, or Physical Body are all possible outcomes

Astral Projection states:

Your astral form is a separate incarnation. Any damage or other effects that apply to it have no effect on your physical body, nor do they persist when you return to it.

Gate states:

When you cast this spell, you can speak the name of a specific creature (a pseudonym, title, or nickname doesn't work). If that creature is on a plane other than the one you are on, the portal opens in the named creature's immediate vicinity and draws the creature through it to the nearest unoccupied space on your side of the portal.

Because of Astral Projection creating a "separate incarnation", there are two specific creatures which could have the same name: your soul and your body. A DM should be free to rule which form is affected, that both are affected, OR that since there's not a single specific creature with that name, that the spell fails (which isn't very fun), or that the forms have different names ("The physical body of Mordoc Salanmere" and "The Astral form of Mordoc Salanmere").

If the soul is the target, however, both the soul and body are returned because Gate pulls the creature's Astral Form from the Astral Plane, and when the creature leaves the Astral Plane, it's body and possessions are returned to it as stated in Astral Projection

If you enter a new plane or return to the plane you were on when casting this spell, your body and possessions are transported along the silver cord, allowing you to re-enter your body as you enter the new plane.