You are some kind of slave or indentured servant. You are or were controlled entirely by another person or group of people. You don’t have to be a slave in the traditional sense; an abused and isolated child, a tortured prisoner, or an underpaid servant or worker, all could also take this background.
You can choose whether you bought your freedom, were freed by someone else or even your master/mistress, escaped and are on the run, or if you still actually serve them but are travelling on your own for one reason or another.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight
- Languages: Any one of your choice, but you only speak it. You cannot read it or write it.
- Equipment: A pair of manacles you at one point wore, a simple memento from your family or a fellow slave, something you used to do your job as a slave, and a pouch with 5 gp.
As a slave, you had some kind of job. Roll a d8 on the table to determine that job.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Menial labor |
| 2 | Field worker |
| 3 | Sex slave |
| 4 | Musician |
| 5 | Advisor |
| 6 | Healer |
| 7 | Gardener |
| 8 | Cook |
You are used to bowing, scraping and apologizing for even slight offenses. While more prideful slaves are loathe to do it, you can earn enough through begging to live a Poor lifestyle in most cities, and you can usually find someone who is willing to take you in.
Suggested Characteristics
Slaves will have been shaped by the way they were treated, and what kind of work they did. Their treatment and their relationships to both other slaves as well as their masters/mistresses affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be a side effect of the trauma of their slavery.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am shy, rarely speak, and avoid eye contact. |
| 2 | My manners are spot on; I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 3 | I'm sick of biting my tongue, and am purposefully rude to those I dislike. |
| 4 | I am rather uncouth, with little understanding of social etiquette. |
| 5 | Sometimes I misinterpret requests as orders. |
| 6 | I don’t take commands from anyone. |
| 7 | I am subservient and servile. |
| 8 | I prefer to be in charge. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Subservient. Just follow the rules and do what you’re told, and everything will be alright. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Release. No one should suffer slavery as I have. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom. Everyone should be allowed to do as they please. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Autonomy. I just want to live my life undisturbed. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Power. It would be nice to be the one holding the whip for once. (Evil) |
| 6 | Wander. I wish to see the world that I’ve never been able to see. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My master treated me well, and I consider them to be my family. |
| 2 | I ran away from my old master; they’re still looking for me. |
| 3 | I am still in service to my master. |
| 4 | Slavery separated me from my family; perhaps I’ll find them again. |
| 5 | Someone I love is still a slave; I want to free them. |
| 6 | I owe my life, and my freedom, to the one who freed me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am terrified of authority figures. |
| 2 | I often will just do whatever others tell me to. |
| 3 | I refuse to listen to anyone else, or take any advice. |
| 4 | My scars, both mental and physical, still cause me great pain. |
| 5 | I have little pity for slaves that have accepted their fate. |
| 6 | I have an extreme fear of confinement and punishment. |
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