Soulweaving, soulthreading, soulsparking... It is known by many names. It is the process in which a soul comes to inhabit a body. Sometimes a Soulforge is needed.

This process is very different for every species and most have no significant control over their subsequent body upon birth. Some species are simply soulwoven without passing through a soulforge.

The Race of Man is one such species that does not require a soulforge to come to inhabit a body. They are more heavily influenced by physical factors that determine their appearance, abilities and illnesses- though the soul certainly has an effect upon it as they age.

Elves often retain just enough of their memories of the afterlife to know of some decisions they've made for themselves. This results in a culture that struggles to understand the somatic difficulties of other species; They effectively choose their bodies after spending time in the Scholary of Stars and may often have some preternatural idea of their future interests and talents.