You are an “Old Soul” - both figuratively and literally. It is not just your recurring sense of déjà vu, your incredible intuition or your inexplicable fears - your soul has led multiple lives, diverse and yet uniquely you. Be it by blessing or curse, fate or chance, your soul is destined to be delivered into a new vessel once your old one has expired.
Work with your Dungeon Master to determine the extent of your background. Or, alternatively, leave these details to the discretion of your DM.
Below are just a few questions you, and your DM, might want to consider:
Do you know you have been reincarnated?
Do you know what has caused your soul to enter the cycle of reincarnation?
Do you remember anything from your past life/ lives?
When were you first reincarnated? Who were you in your first - and what should have been last - life?
With or without the knowledge of your reincarnation - how do you view the world?
Does your soul strive to achieve a certain goal?
Do you hope for the cycle to end someday - are there certain conditions which could be met that would allow it to be so?
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among History, Investigation, Insight, or Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one set of Artisan’s Tools reflecting your current occupation.
- Languages: Choose one language learned in a past life - or leave it to the discretion of your DM.
- Equipment: A set of Artisan’s Tools, a set of common clothes, 5gp and one trinket of special significance (this may be left to the discretion of your DM).
Some extraordinary event has allowed your soul to forever wander. Roll or choose from the table below to decipher this source of reincarnation. Alternatively, create one yourself or leave it to the discretion of your DM.
| d8 | Source of Rebirth |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am a warrior of the divine - I am blessed to continue to live, strive and die for them. |
| 2 | I have been cursed to never receive eternal rest for grievous crimes that I do not remember committing. |
| 3 | I have a mission to achieve - this stubborn soul will not rest until it is fulfilled! |
| 4 | I made a pact with the darkest of entities, one that will last for all of eternity. |
| 5 | My soul was tainted by an abominable force of magic which doesn’t seem to be resolving any time soon. |
| 6 | I unlocked the secret to immortality through years of ruthless dedication and study - this gift is only meant for others on my level. |
| 7 | I danced with death once - she said to come back and dance with her again sometime! |
| 8 | I do not know and I am both excited and terrified to find out. |
There are moments when the uncanny recognition of your surroundings goes beyond coincidence - you swear you have been here before, or heard a name in passing that is instantly recognizeable to you - though you may not understand how or why. At your DM’s discretion, certain pieces of information may spring to your mind regarding the area you are currently in, a person or creature you have encountered or a specific item that has crossed your path which relates to an incident from a former life.
Suggested Characteristics
You have always felt out of place. Your sense of detachment urges you to seek the truth. You hope to form real and meaningful connections with those around you.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep my “condition” secret. I am fearful of being judged for things that I do not understand/ cannot explain. |
| 2 | I like to read and re-read familiar books and poetry. It keeps me grounded and calm, bringing me fleeting moments of happiness. |
| 3 | I am always on the look out for something I’ve never seen or experienced before - new things are so exciting! |
| 4 | I’m a daredevil - what is there to be fearful of? I live for thrills and excitement alone. |
| 5 | I don’t talk about the things that torment me - too much knowledge is a dangerous thing, and I’d rather not burden others with my curse. |
| 6 | I have an irrational fear that causes me to freeze-up on sight. |
| 7 | I yearn to travel to far away places, to make new discoveries and explore the world! |
| 8 | I put no trust in divine beings or the flawed notion of “fate”. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am in a unique position - I can afford to help those in need. (Good) |
| 2 | I have a goal to achieve - my soul will not rest until it is complete. (Any) |
| 3 | Live and let live - other people’s business is of no importance. (Neutral) |
| 4 | So much time and yet so little to do - best I make my own fun! (Chaotic) |
| 5 | I have a world-changing duty to fulfill, regardless of current affairs (Lawful) |
| 6 | Mortals are so feeble-minded and weak - they need a capable leader who is all-knowing and will rule with an iron fist. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep my most private thoughts and discoveries in a journal. |
| 2 | I would sacrifice many of my own lives to protect the innocent and unwitting. |
| 3 | I have always felt like I’m missing someone - but who? I must find out! |
| 4 | A terrible guilt consumes me. I will find redemption, no matter the cost. |
| 5 | Strangely, I have never truly felt like a part of my family. |
| 6 | I carry the lives of all of my former companions in my memory - I will immortalize them and tell their story. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them. Traditions are meant to be kept. |
| 2 | Times change, people don’t - I have seen, and will assume, the worst in people. |
| 3 | I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones. |
| 4 | I am often detached and/ or disinterested in mundane affairs. |
| 5 | I speak to spirits that no one else can see. |
| 6 | I frequently have an existential crisis - what is the meaning of a life that has no end? |
Your breadth of worldy experience is incomparably vast - you have encountered the most terrifying and frightful of creatures, witnessed the victories and losses of nations at war, been privy to social scandal and political intrigue. At the discretion of your DM, when faced against a peril that you have encountered in a previous life you are able to maintain your composure, for there is little fear when there is little unknown to you.
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