You grew up as a slave to the blood and sand of the arena. Alone, orphaned, sold or taken from your parents for reasons no one ever cared to tell you, the only ones who looked out or provided for you, in any manner, were your slave masters and fellow slaves. You had to learn to fend for yourself and survive at an early age. You were forced to fight for survival, in and out of the arena, every day of your life and are constantly in the look out for treachery and attacks from other poor, desperate slaves. You've slept on the hard stone slabs of the slave pits most of your life, though if you performed well enough for the owners and crowds, you might be allowed to a blanket as recompense. You’ve survived despite all odds, and have done so so through cunning, strength, speed, and learning to never let your guard down.

You begin your adventuring career as an escaped fighter, or as one of the lucky ones who has earned his or her freedom. You have enough money to scrape a living 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: Survival, Acrobatics

Tool Proficiencies: leather worker's tools, smith’s tools

Languages: in the arena pits the predominant language spoken to slaves is common, though living in such close proximity with other races. Training, living and bleeding with dueling partners chosen for you can often lead, sometimes due to necessity,  to learning an additional way of communication. Choose another language that you've picked up, though this does not mean you are able to read or write in this second language.

Equipment: An exotic weapon, a token to remember your family by, a set of arena leathers, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Arena slaves live lives filled hardships and pain, both physical and psychological. These souls are driven and survivors by necessity. They often form strong familial bonds with their fighting partners and fellow slaves, and share a burning desire for a better life, a life of freedom — and maybe get some payback on those slavers and slave owners who saw them as nothing more than pawns for their entertainment.  

d8	Personality Trait
1	I need to always have a weapon near me, I always try to hide weapons somewhere in my person.
2	I'm always looking around for potential treats.
3	I like to sleep in smaller places, with my back to a wall, where no one else can sneak up on me.
4	I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
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 bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. You don't deserve respect, you have to earn it.
2	Community. We have to take care of each other, because no one else is going to do it. (Lawful)
3	Change. The low are lifted up, and those in power will be brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic)
4	Retribution. Those in authority need to be shown what life and death are like in the gutters.
5	People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
6	Aspiration. I’m going to prove that I’m worthy of a better life.

d6	Bond
1	My family or clan is my home, and I’ll fight to defend it.
2	I try to sponsor other slaves to attain their freedom to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure.
3	I owe my survival to another slave who taught me to live on the streets.
4	I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me.
5	I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and I’m wanted for it.
6	No one else should have to endure the hardships I’ve been through.

d6	Flaw
1	I despise running away from a fight, even If I’m outnumbered.
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 a one to one fight, A backstab is a cheap win.
5	It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
6	People who can’t take care of themselves get what they deserve.