The reincarnate spell can be… interesting at times.

What is the Reincarnate spell?

For those who don’t know, the reincarnate spell is a 5th level spell learned by Druids, that allows you to resurrect someone into another body of a randomized race.

On paper, this spell isn’t the best, as it might entirely mess up your playstyle depending on the race you are given.

But using this spell as a part of your backstory leads to all sorts of possibilities!

Why this concept could be good for a backstory

This backstory is good because it allows your character to start a campaign in a body not their own. For example, an elf who is known for hunting orcs is suddenly reincarnated into an orc herself when she died. Or a dying human striking a deal with an unknown being to start a fresh life in a new body, and then they get their wish.

Backstories like these can lead to all sorts of amazing character arcs.

Example character using this concept: Cornelius, the Elf Ranger reincarnated as an Orc

Backstory: Cornelius was an elf known for a great hatred of orcs, and has been hunting them for centuries. Eventually, however, the orcs managed to get to her, and in a cruel sense of irony, an orc druid casted Reincarnate on him, and caused him to reincarnate into an orc. Now in a body of his most hated race, Cornelius sets out as an adventurer, struggling to keep his hatred in check.