Born to it or otherwise, you are held a slave to the pits. Forced to fight for the entertainment of wealthy nobles and haggard peasants alike all you know is blood and sweat and dirt. The arena is your home, your family is your fellow slaves. You know nothing else. You want for more.

The clash of weapons and the scent of blood is too familiar. 

Fights in the pit are often loud and brutal, blood and sweat the only thing you smell for days after. The jeering of the crowd drowned out by the clanging of steel. It’s up to you after a fight to mend your wounds and stitch your tattered clothes, and while the slave pens are the only family you have, loyalty is hard to come by.  Guarding your food like a dog, when you are fed. Sleeping with one eye open, if you even sleep. The loyalty you do garner can be stripped in seconds out in the arena. It’s often best to not get attached, though if you’re lucky lasting bonds can be achieved.

Through repeated abuse and recovery you’ve come to know your body well and survive.

Strength of will is often the only thing keeping you from giving up. Perhaps you were told you would earn your freedom. Perhaps you were not told anything. Perhaps you yearn for the family you never knew. Or barely knew. Every won battle is one step closer to your freedom.

Maybe out of your own power, maybe out of luck, but whatever keeps you holding on leads you out of this place and into something grander.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from: Athletics, Medicine, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Gaming set: Dice

Languages: One of player’s choice

Equipment: A pouch that contains 10gp, memento of some sort (Trophy, good luck charm, gift from a friend, etc), a set of common clothes,  a unique weapon

Suggested Characteristics

Wary and hardened, arena slaves don’t know much other than pain and survival. As such the bonds they are able forge in the slave pits are lasting and the enemies they make are ruthless. The unquenchable thirst for freedom burns strongly in them. Slaves that are lucky enough to live and escape can be overwhelmed by the experience. Many don’t know what to do with their freedom, revenge is a common goal, and many fall back on violence as a familiar comfort. 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I distrust others with my belongings, I will always keep them with me
2	I am wary of people, it’s hard to get to know me
3	Years of cruelty have left me gruff, but kind, I don’t want others to experience that pain
4	I like to keep my weapons close, I always have at least one hidden on me no matter how small
5	I never really learned how to act in social situations, interacting with others is awkward or uncomfortable
6	Violence has always been my life, now that I’m free I see no reason to stop that
7	The people who prove their friendship and loyalty to me, I will die for
8	The world was never kind to me, so I don’t feel the need to be kind to the world

d6	Ideal
1	Freedom. Freedom is of the utmost importance, everyone deserves to live the life they choose
2	Respect. Everyone deserves basic respect, but if you want to be treated as an authority you need to earn it
3	Change.The people high in society have too much power, they will learn what it’s like to be low
4	Retribution. Revenge is best served as soon as possible
5	Aspiration. I don’t want anyone to suffer the way I have.
6	Self.I do not suffer disrespect-I’ve been treated as a pawn too long, never again.

d6	Bond
1	I owe my life to my weapon, it has always been reliable
2	An older slave in the pits taught me everything I know, I wouldn’t be here without them
3	I escaped captivity in the fighting ring, but now they’re looking for me
4	I had few friends in the arena but the few I did I will be loyal to for life
5	The person that helped me after I escaped was so kind, I’d do anything to repay that debt
6	I don’t know what happened to my family, but I want to find out

d6	Flaw
1	I would rather die than be captured again.
2	Now that I’m free, I find myself indulging in vices in excess
3	I often react with violence when violence is not needed
4	Sometimes, flashbacks to my days in the pit leave me immobile during battles
5	My emotions can be unpredictable and can leave my companions on edge
6	After a life of nothing it’s hard for me to part with belongings, even if I no longer need them