Exslave

You were once someone else's property, with no rights, no say, and very little protection; bought and sold like cattle, viewed as and treated like vermin at worse or an object at best, and, in worse case scenarios, worked like and expected to die like a dog. But either by the grace of whatever-God-you-worship, the compassion of a rescuer, or through your own force of will, you are no longer a slave. But though your shackles are broken, the scars remain; some habits are hard to break, and now that you no longer "belong" to anyone, you must decide how to live your life and what you must do. But be warned, if you are not strong or careful enough, there's always a chance you might find yourself a slave again.

Work with your DM to come up with a past and determine who your owner was, how you were treated, and how it affected your character. Not all slaves had terrible lives, while many were treated horribly, some had good masters and were slaves in name only, usually for their own protection, others were more like (un)/willing indentured servants and were treated no different than the lower class, and some slaves were lucky enough to be born in cultures where certain rights and protections like education were mandatory for all classes/castes.

How did you become a slave?  How old were you when you were enslaved and how long were you a slave? What skills did you pick up? Were you born into slavery and lucky enough to have picked up a working knowledge of your owners' trade, culture (language, tools, the like), and/or race?  Did you have a life before your enslavement and had skills and knowledge that your owners either recognized and trusted you with tasks involving those skills and abilities? How did you get out of this life? Did your owners release you and why? Did someone rescue you and how? Did you escape, why and how?

Your past will also determine your present unenslaved life. How were you treated before being freed and how does it affect you now? What is your life like now that it's back in your hands? What are you like now? Are you a voice for the voiceless, fighting to make sure no one lives like you did? Are you so broken by your past that you've made yourself a slave in all but name to another, maybe even your rescuer, or did you become an enslaver yourself and renew the cycle? Was your past, while undesirable, so inconsequential or so similar to your life now that you don't see any difference between then and now? Is your past inspiration for everything you do or an excuse for being a terrible person?

Did you grow up with your family while enslaved, or were you taken from them? Did you return to them or are they killed/sold and transported somewhere else? What was your life like with/without them? Were they the ones who sold you? Rescued you? Did your owners become your family? Did you have any friends before being freed, fall in love? What were they like, what happened to them? Are you hoping to free your friends/family/lover(s)? Are do you have an "every man for himself" mindset?

Do you attach yourself to others easily or avoid them like the plague? Do you help others like you wished someone had helped you or look the other way just like everyone else did when you needed help? What do you fight for, live for? Are you always submissive? Nervous? Angry? Combative? Optimistic?  Are you living in fear or like there's no tomorrow? Do you trust your government and your god(s)? Will you recognize the signs that someone else is enslaved? Would you help them, yes, no, maybe?

 These details not only help establish your character, but also sociological features of the world of the campaign.

Suggested Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	I rarely speak unless spoken to or if I need to. Even then I might not speak, I don't want to make anyone hate me or laugh at me.
2	It's a new world for me and a fresh start. I'm not going to waste it.
3	I'm a person and my name is [character name], no one is going to call me anything else otherwise.
4	I'm always looking over my shoulder, my master might come back for me!
5	I'm my own master now! No one will ever order me around ever again!
6	What do you mean you hate your job? This is nothing compared to what I had to do.
7	Some days I can't tell if I'm free or still a slave.
8	The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of every potential escape route; you never know when you might need one.

d6	Ideal
1	Revenge. I was once someone's punching bag, soon they've be my punching bag! (Evil)
2	Liberation. My chains are broken, now I seek to break the chains of others. (Chaotic)
3	Moving on. My past might've shaped me, but it doesn't define me. (Any)
4	Looking Away. Misery and pain are a fact of life, why should I care that others are suffering; no one care when I suffered. (Neutral)
5	Grand Plan. Slavery is evil but it won't end overnight; I need to work with governments to end it. (Lawful)
6	Helping Hand. I know what it's liked to be caged, and I don't want anyone caged. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	I owe everything to the knight who took me away from my overlords.
2	Someone I care is still enslaved. I will do anything to free them.
3	I spent my life being put down and beaten. I will take on any bully I encounter.
4	I refuse to become a victim, and I do not appreciate being victimized.
5	I’m loyal to my friends, only my friends, and everyone else can jump in a lake for all I care.
6	No one is ever going to dominate me ever again... It's my turn.

d6	Flaw
1	My will and spirit were broken long before my chains were. I am nothing without a master.
2	I need to ask for permission before I do ANYTHING. It's an enforced force of habit.
3	Alcohol is my best friend. I can always turn to it to forget my past. I can dump it anytime I want.
4	I like to use my past to get what I want or out of trouble.
5	After everything I went through, I have trouble empathizing with anyone who struggling with mundane issues like "was violated," "almost died," or "lost everything".
6	Life as a slave taught me violence is the solution to any problem. You can't tell me otherwise.