Background: Escaped Slave

 

"Freedom is just another kind of danger."

 

You were born into bondage—property, a tool, or even a pet to those who saw themselves as your betters. Whether under the cruel lash of a tyrant, the rituals of dark cults, or the strict command of a dragon whose will was law, your life was not your own. You learned to listen, to obey, to survive. You learned that silence kept you alive, and that cleverness—quiet, careful cleverness—was the difference between punishment and praise.

 

But something changed. Maybe you fled. Maybe someone freed you. Maybe your master died, and no one came to claim you. Now, for the first time, you walk your own path. Freedom is strange. Terrifying. Exhilarating. You don’t quite know who you are without chains—but you intend to find out.

 

You might still feel the ghost of obedience tug at your mind, or maybe you dream of turning the tables on those who held you down. Whether you're seeking revenge, redemption, or simply a place to belong, your past will always follow—but it no longer defines you.

Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Insight

Tool Proficiencies: Tool Proficiencies: Thieves’ tools or one artisan’s tool of your choice (used in servitude)

Languages: Languages: One of your choice (often that of your former masters)

Equipment: Equipment: A small token from your past (a broken chain, stolen trinket, or master's sigil), a set of common clothes, a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Personality Traits

 

 

 

1. I flinch at sudden movements and loud voices.

 

 

 

 

 

2. I obey orders quickly—even if no one's in charge.

 

 

 

 

 

3. I see opportunity in everything, even scraps.

 

 

 

 

 

4. I constantly check exits and watch others’ hands.

 

 

 

 

 

5. I quietly test people’s limits—what they’ll let me get away with.

 

 

 

 

 

6. I talk too much when nervous, which is often.

 

 

 

 

 

7. I hate silence. It reminds me of waiting for punishment.

 

 

 

 

 

8. I speak in a mix of praise and pleading, even when I don't mean it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ideals

 

 

 

1. Freedom. No one deserves chains—not even the weak. (Chaotic)

 

 

 

 

 

2. Hierarchy. Order keeps the world safe; I just need to be higher in it. (Lawful)

 

 

 

 

 

3. Vengeance. One day, I’ll make them pay. (Evil)

 

 

 

 

 

4. Service. I’m happiest when I have someone to serve. (Lawful)

 

 

 

 

 

5. Survival. Principles don’t feed you. I do what I must. (Neutral)

 

 

 

 

 

6. Hope. If I made it out, anyone can. (Good)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

1. I still wear the mark of my former master—and I intend to erase it.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Someone helped me escape. I would die for them.

 

 

 

 

 

3. I keep a piece of my chains to remind me never to go back.

 

 

 

 

 

4. I dream of freeing others, starting with someone I left behind.

 

 

 

 

 

5. I believe my former master will hunt me to the ends of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

6. I serve a new cause now—willingly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flaws

 

 

 

1. I panic if I feel trapped.

 

 

 

 

 

2. I sometimes obey orders without thinking, even from enemies.

 

 

 

 

 

3. I hoard food and supplies obsessively.

 

 

 

 

 

4. I don't trust kindness—it always has a cost.

 

 

 

 

 

5. I’ll betray others if it means I live another day.

 

 

 

 

 

6. I secretly want to go back. The world was simpler in chains.

d8	Personality Trait
1	1. I flinch at sudden movements and loud voices.
2	2. I obey orders quickly—even if no one's in charge.
3	3. I see opportunity in everything, even scraps.
4	4. I constantly check exits and watch others’ hands.
5	5. I quietly test people’s limits—what they’ll let me get away with.
6	6. I talk too much when nervous, which is often.
7	7. I hate silence. It reminds me of waiting for punishment.
8	8. I speak in a mix of praise and pleading, even when I don't mean it.

d6	Ideal
1	1. Freedom. No one deserves chains—not even the weak. (Chaotic)
2	2. Hierarchy. Order keeps the world safe; I just need to be higher in it. (Lawful)
3	3. Vengeance. One day, I’ll make them pay. (Evil)
4	4. Service. I’m happiest when I have someone to serve. (Lawful)
5	5. Survival. Principles don’t feed you. I do what I must. (Neutral)
6	6. Hope. If I made it out, anyone can. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	1. I still wear the mark of my former master—and I intend to erase it.
2	2. Someone helped me escape. I would die for them.
3	3. I keep a piece of my chains to remind me never to go back.
4	4. I dream of freeing others, starting with someone I left behind.
5	5. I believe my former master will hunt me to the ends of the world.
6	6. I serve a new cause now—willingly.

d6	Flaw
1	1. I panic if I feel trapped.
2	2. I sometimes obey orders without thinking, even from enemies.
3	3. I hoard food and supplies obsessively.
4	4. I don't trust kindness—it always has a cost.
5	5. I’ll betray others if it means I live another day.
6	6. I secretly want to go back. The world was simpler in chains.