You come from the lowest of positions, a prisoner. Bound in service, or in chains. Whether through slavery, servitude, or imprisoned for a crime you did (or did not) commit. You spent longer than anyone would have wanted to spend in bondage. You were ordered, and punished by your masters. You learned how to survive like this, doing as you were told, or by remaining unseen while misbehaving.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life?
- Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Athletics
- Tool Proficiencies: One set of tools of your choice
- Equipment: A small knife, a set of manacles, a rusted key, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 5 gp
You know how to get by when under the thumbs of someone greater than yourself. When imprisoned, or captured, you can often make small requests of your captures, a skill you gained from years of dealing with guards or brigands. The requests can be small luxuries, or food and drink, or that you be held elsewhere. This charm can extend to your friends.
Suggested Characteristics
Prisoners are those who have either committed a wrong, or were plain unlucky. Bound by forces greater than themselves. Sometimes this imprisonment makes them chaotic, and obsessed with freedom, never wanting to live in chain again. Sometimes it shapes them, into lawful and obedient adults. Sometimes the punishment for their crimes, or the generosity of a slaver releasing them forms them into good and kind people. Sometimes the cruelty of their keepers, and unjust conditions can turn them to crime - and revenge
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. |
| 2 | I never ask questions. |
| 3 | I can't sleep with the door closed |
| 4 | I hesitate to take things, even if given permission |
| 5 | I eat like a pig and have bad manners. |
| 6 | I think anyone who’s nice to me is hiding evil intent. |
| 7 | I don’t like to bathe. |
| 8 | I can't speak blunty. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Penance. The world is full of good and evil, I choose to be good (Good) |
| 2 | Obedience. The world may seem chaotic, but chaos is dangerous. We have to follow rules, and orders to stay safe. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. No matter what happens, or how my life turns, I will not live in chains again. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Scorned. The life I endured was not right, and the world is full of people who facilitated it and stood by. Now I will stand by while they are beaten and burned. (Evil) |
| 5 | Purpose. I have a new life, and need to spend it somewhere — doing something. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I’m going to prove that I’m worthy of a better life. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I met someone during my bondage, they helped teach me how to survive. I would say I owe my life to them, but they're dead. |
| 2 | I will never return to the place where I was bound. |
| 3 | I had a loved one whom I was separated from, I intend to find them again |
| 4 | One of the people who oversaw me, was kind, and merciful. I will never forget their kindness, when they had every chance to be unkind. |
| 5 | I escaped captivity, now the people who bound me, are hunting me. |
| 6 | No one else should have to endure the hardships I’ve been through. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If I’m outnumbered, I will run away from a fight. |
| 2 | Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and I’ll do just about anything for more of it. |
| 3 | I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. |
| 4 | I’d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
| 5 | It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else. |
| 6 | I was bound once, I don't mind being bound again. Nothing short of death scares me. |
You were not only bound to a cell or the service of someone else, but you were owned, likely from birth. your life was forfeit on the drop of a hat. You couldn't speak unless given permission, and your body was not your own. Your only hope at freedom, was to be released by your owner, or to buy it.
You can carry yourself as a slave does, quiet and unsuspecting. Often people can ignore your presence if you want them to. Infiltrating a ballroom, or a brothel is no challenge for you.
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