Observe the modern wage slave. Packed into cubicles, offices, and behind service desks, they engage in a life-or-death struggle with boredom, impossible deadlines, impatient customers, and sadistic supervisors. They trek home on sketchy subways and vandalized buses to their coffin apartments, spending their meager paychecks on garbage instant noodles, barraged with endless attention-grabbing advertisements along the way.

They devote their precious free hours to watching comfortingly bland sitcoms and playing whatever game is most popular before passing out well after they should have gone to bed. They dream of success, of wealth, of fame, and other things they can never have.

The next day, the cycle begins again.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Deception, Persuasion, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A set of common clothes, a cheap employee of the month award, a set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), and a credit stick with 500₵.

Suggested Characteristics

Being kept on a constant financial treadmill, where a wage slave’s continued employment allows them to just barely keep up with their bills, can do funny things to a person’s head, especially when there is little chance of improving their station. Often their lives are marked by a mix of desperation, drudgery, and boredom. While the vast majority of wage slaves are content just to survive, some few may try to pursue their escapist dreams.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I'm usually quiet, and speak when spoken to.
2	I’m probably the world’s biggest fan of...
3	The emotions I bottle up will eventually escape explosively
4	I’m diligent and hardworking, and that’s why people like me.
5	There’s always more ways to save money if you look hard enough.
6	I’m constantly slacking off on the job.
7	My free time is precious, and I hate when people waste it.
8	I’m afraid of dying alone.

d6	Ideal
1	Fate. The world wasn’t designed for me to succeed. (Any)
2	Compassion. At least I can make someone else’s day a little brighter. (Good)
3	Citizen. The best way to get by is to keep your head down. (Lawful)
4	Desperation. I’ve got nothing to lose. (Chaotic)
5	Ruthlessness. I’d do anything to improve my standard of living. (Evil)
6	Passion. I’m a creature of obsession. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	Important people forget that I’m there, so I overhear a lot of juicy secrets.
2	I’ve got a goal for retirement, but it won’t be easy to reach.
3	When I’m in charge, there’s going to be some changes around here.
4	I was fired from my job and I want revenge against my employer.
5	I’m drowning in debt and I’m willing to go to extremes to get out of it.
6	I’ve been waiting my whole life for my time to shine. Finally, I’ve found my chance.

d6	Flaw
1	I can’t get through the day sober.
2	I freeze up when I’m the center of attention.
3	I don’t care what happens to me, my life is pointless anyway.
4	I’m about as gullible as they come.
5	I crave approval from others and I’ll do anything to get it.
6	Everyone knows I’m a nobody, and who am I to disagree?