Background, Indenture

After your exile, you were forced to endure a year of hard labor under the authority of a plantation overseer in Botany Bay. Though you were promised your freedom upon the completion of this time, it wasn’t an easy road. The labor was harsh, and the conditions grueling, but how you responded to it, and what you learned or suffered as a result, shaped who you are today. Each of you found different ways to survive, and now, after your release, you are free once more.

Here are several ways your time in servitude may have shaped you. You are encouraged to select the one that best suits your character, but if you prefer, you can roll a d8 to determine your experience by finding the resulting number below.

1. Hard Labor & Discipline

Pro: The relentless work has instilled in you an unshakable discipline. You rise early and work late, always pushing yourself to the limit. Your body is fit, and you’ve gained impressive endurance over the past year. Whether you were working in the fields, mines, or on construction, your resilience is unparalleled.
Con: The long hours, grueling work, and harsh conditions have left you with scars, both physical and emotional. The dehumanizing treatment has taken a toll on your mental health, leaving you suspicious and wary of people in positions of power. You’re haunted by the memories of the overseer and his cruel demands, and it’s hard to trust anyone in authority now.

2. Fighting for Control

Pro: During your servitude, you found a way to wrestle control back from the overseer’s tyrannical rule. Perhaps you led a small group of fellow servants in a quiet rebellion, or you used your wit and resourcefulness to win small freedoms within your bounds. You’re skilled at working within oppressive systems and know how to manipulate the rules in your favor.
Con: Your constant need to fight back has made you combative and unwilling to back down from a challenge. This has led to conflicts with fellow exiles, some of whom see you as a troublemaker. Your tendency to push against the system might also make it difficult for you to work within group dynamics, as you often take charge, even when it’s not your place.

3. Isolation & Self-Reflection

Pro: With little to do other than work, you found solace in your own thoughts. This period gave you the space to reflect on your life, your actions, and your exile. You’ve become more philosophical, and have perhaps even found some spiritual peace through meditation or introspection. This self-awareness has led to greater clarity on your purpose and how you want to approach the world now that you’re free.
Con: Your long hours of isolation have made it difficult to interact with others. While you've gained wisdom, it often comes at the cost of meaningful connection. You're now someone who keeps to yourself, perhaps overly so. You find it hard to open up or trust others, as your time spent alone has reinforced a belief that relying on others is often more trouble than it’s worth.

4. Learning a Trade

Pro: The overseer put you to work doing a specific craft, perhaps you were a smith, a tailor, or worked with animals. After a year of being forced into it, you’ve learned a valuable skill that you can now use to earn a living and support yourself. You’re competent in your craft and have built a reputation for your work, which could open doors in the future.
Con: Your time as an indentured servant left you stuck doing the same work day in and day out. You’ve grown weary of your craft and feel trapped by it. You’re excellent at what you do, but you dread the thought of ever working in that field again. Your Skills have left you with an emotional connection to the work that’s hard to shake off, leading to occasional bouts of frustration or even self-loathing.

5. Bonding with Fellow Servants

Pro: You formed close bonds with your fellow exiles. In the depths of your shared misery, you became a part of a close-knit group that supported one another. Perhaps you’ve even become a leader or advisor to others who went through the same struggle, offering wisdom, guidance, and camaraderie. You know how to make allies, and your ability to create strong personal connections has proven invaluable.
Con: Those bonds were formed out of necessity, and not all of them were healthy. There were moments when the stress of servitude caused these relationships to sour. You’ve seen betrayal and cruelty up close, and now, you struggle to trust those who were once your closest friends. The line between ally and enemy became blurred, and that confusion haunts you.

6. Endurance Through Suffering

Pro: You learned how to endure the worst life has to offer and survived. You can thrive even in the harshest of environments and take pride in your ability to handle physical and emotional pain. Your mental fortitude is unmatched, and you can push through almost anything.
Con: While your endurance is impressive, it has come at a cost. You’ve suppressed emotions for so long that now, you struggle to process them in healthy ways. You bottle up your feelings and avoid confrontation, unwilling to deal with your past trauma. This could lead to bouts of anger or sudden breakdowns when the pressure finally becomes too much.

7. Rebellion and Revenge

Pro: Throughout your time, you plotted your revenge. Whether you planned to one day take down the overseer, sabotage their operations, or get even with those who wronged you, you’ve sharpened your mind for that moment. You’ve grown clever and resourceful, honing your Skills for when the time is right.
Con: Your obsession with revenge has consumed you. The anger you feel towards those who wronged you has made it difficult to see the bigger picture. You find it hard to let go of your desire for vengeance, and it can cloud your judgment in situations where forgiveness or compromise might be the better path.

8. Enduring Unseen Violence

Pro: You learned how to handle violence in ways that most people can’t imagine. Whether you were forced to defend yourself from other servants or fought back against your overseer, you now know how to deal with conflict in a way that others find terrifying. You can take a punch and give one back with no hesitation.
Con: The violence has changed you. You’ve become desensitized to pain, suffering, and cruelty. This has made it hard to connect with others who haven’t gone through similar experiences. You find it difficult to empathize with those who are less hardened, which can cause friction in social situations.