Menagerie Pet

You grew up as part of an exotic menagerie. The property of a powerful noble, rich merchant, or influential organization. Treated as little more than a pet. Perhaps your race is rare. Perhaps you have some sort of physical abnormality they wished to ogle. Perhaps your owner simply thought you were especially cute or beautiful. But whatever the case you grew up knowing nothing but your gilded cage and the gawking eyes of your owner and their guests. But no longer. Now whether by your own hand, the intervention of an outside party, or the mercy of your master you are free. Or as free as anyone can be.

Skill Proficiencies: You spent your formative years being stared at by the wealthy and powerful. But what they didn’t realize is that you were staring back. Watching and learning from them. You are proficient in perception and insight.

Tool Proficiencies: Practical skills are hardly encouraged for pets. But you may have been taught to perform a trick, or observed your owners hobbies. You may be proficient in either one type of musical instrument or one type of gaming set.

Languages: You were mostly taught language so that you could understand commands. As such your language skills are often limited. You know no bonus languages.

Equipment: You have either the instrument or gaming set in which you are proficient, a set of fine clothes or a costume you wore in captivity, and a pouch containing 5 gp. You also have one small trinket (such as a ring, a small work of art, or a small book) that serves as a token of your freedom. This may either be a trophy you took during your escape, a momento of the one who rescued you, or a parting gift from your master. 

Suggested Characteristics

Much of your life has been defined by captivity and relative isolation. You might never have left your owner’s palace or estate before you were freed. As such much of what you know about the outside world is what you can glean form your master, their guests, their family, and their servants. This sort of upbringing, if it can even be called that, may lead to some extreme and even conflicting personalities. Often a mixture of being totally jaded and shockingly naive.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I have been gawked at more than enough for one life time. So dislike being the center of attention.
2	The outside world is so big! I want to see it all!
3	I’m still used to others taking care of me.
4	After so much mistreatment I am very slow to trust. And even slower to let people in. (Or maybe it’s just that no one measures up to my former master.)
5	I’m fairly easy to trick with false information about things like history or distant lands. But it’s not my fault! No one taught me this stuff!
6	I dislike confined spaces. It makes me feel… caged.
7	I’m a little desperate for the affection I was denied in captivity. (Or to replace the affection my former master showed me.)
8	I often initially dislike nobles and others like them. And I’m not always able to hide my vitriol.

d6	Ideal
1	I am owed. So much was taken from me. I will take it all back and more. (Evil)
2	Empathy. My treatment has left me scarred and saddened. I don’t want others to suffer as well. (Good)
3	Vengeance. This injustice can not go unpunished. Those who hurt me will not escape retribution. (Any)
4	Freedom. I am finally free. And I will not allow the laws of men, nor gods, put me back in my cage. (Chaotic)
5	Belonging. Now that I am part of the outside world, I want to belong. So I will need to integrate into society. (Lawful)
6	Novelty. This new life of mine offers new knowledge, experiences, and opportunities. And I plan to take full advantage of that. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I have to believe that somewhere out there I have a family. A people. Somewhere I belong. I want to find it.
2	People often have loose tongues in front of their pets. I know a secret about my former master. One that still binds us. And might put us both in potential danger.
3	I was once in love. One of my former master’s children or servants was always kind to me. We had planned to elope, but something went wrong. Now we are separated, but I still wish to fulfill that promise.
4	I owe my freedom to the one who helped me escape. If they need my help I will provide it. Regardless of what they need.
5	Slavery is unacceptable. I will not sit idly by while others suffer in chains. One day I will free them all. I swear it.
6	Religion has helped me cope and priests have always been charitable and kind to me. I will aid the faith that has helped me so much. I refuse to believe my life has no greater purpose than a pretty ornament in some palace.

d6	Flaw
1	I was never allowed alcohol or other drugs as a pet. Now that I’m free I have a bad habit of overindulging in both.
2	I become lonely rather easily. And this makes me quite clingy with my friends.
3	In times of hardship I cant’ help but romanticize my former master. They took care of me. Protected me. And now facing the dangers of the outside world a pitiful part of me wishes to return to my cage.
4	I can have a hard time asserting myself. So I will often depend on my friends to give me guidance.
5	I panic when captured or even threatened with capture. There’s no telling what I might try then.
6	Please don’t look at me! I’m painfully shy. I don’t want to talk to strangers. I barely even want to make eye contact.