Slave Start

[MacKenzie]

First if the dev happens to be reading this congrats on making a unique hardcore game, it's been a hell of a marathon

Now the game has the slave start I've always wanted. But I can't figure out how to escape. I've read some other posts that mention breaking out of cages but my squad is getting tied up to posts at night. I can right click the post and then click escape to keep trying until it works. But then once it finally does work neither of my squad members is able to move. Right clicking the squad member and having them try to pick their shackles or break free does nothing. How do I escape?

[Locklave]

It's bugged is the issue, your slave characters will forever have the slave job readded every time you reload the game.

https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=1293086033

edit:
Rebirth Start is the one you want if you want the normal slave start. Slave Traders one is way more brutal as the neutral towns are across dangerous lands.

Use this mod for a slave start, it's the same thing minus the slave job bug but only 1 character start.

As for escaping, you got lucky as I've played a stupid number of hours in slave starts.

1. Don't try and escape right away, slavery is the safest start and you want to build yourself up before escaping.

2. Lockpick, every single second you are in the cage at night lockpick the shackles/door. Take off your shackles and keep them in your inventory (they are super useful).

3. Labour, let them build the skill for you. Use this time to think about your coming actions, watch the guard patrols and/or grab a coffee/sandwich irl. If you need it later you'll be set. example, mining ore because you are broke and need cash for food.

4. Build strength like labour. Remember I said keep the shackles? The weight is 20 each and you need to load up your inventory with them for bonus strength gain.

5. Sneak out at night. Toss your shackles on the ground and steal food or anything to build up your sneak and thievery. If you get seen jump back in a cell asap.

edit:
Steak mode disables the slave job, so be in stealth or remove the job when you escape at night or your charcter will jump right back in his cell.

6. Get beat down. Attack other slaves (to avoid bounties with HN only attack slaves) and build martial arts/dodge/dex/str and toughness. Only do this at full health, don't wanna lose a limb if the guards get pissed. Sometimes they completely ignore you beating up other slaves.

Important
- If you don't get medical treatment pick the lock and crawl to a cage a guard can see if you have to, this is the only way to die. Be mindful of limb loss from untreated injury. Jumping in cages triggers patrolling guards to heal injured slaves.

7. Last night. Decided when you dump all your shackles collection and load up on stolen food/grog (Grog sell value is high). Maybe break out a slave or 2 that you wouldn't mind joining you, they may or may not, be mindfull you need to feed these people as that's rather impossible if you pull a mass escape. They might also wake up guards if they decided to steal a weapon from them when they are sleeping, which can be a huge problem.

8. Don't rush.

[MacKenzie]

Thanks! I'll give the mod a try and build up stats before making a break for it.

[Uraoen]

I just got the game and considering this as my first playthrough, but not sure now that you said its the safest.

[Locklave]

Originally posted by Uraoen:

I just got the game and considering this as my first playthrough, but not sure now that you said its the safest.

I see what you mean but consider these points.

- If injured someone will nearly always be there to bandage you can't run out of bangages or bleed out.
- You can't starve to death and can't run out of food
- Guards will kill anyone that might eat you

It's opressive/cruel as hell for sure but you can only get killed by screwing up really.

Even after escaping you are pretty safe despite the slave tags 100 hours thing, if you go north you can head to the Flotsam Ninjas and/or Tech Hunters base. Those 2 factions don't care about slave status so you can stick near them and wait till it's cleared then leave.

edit:

Those 3 reasons are why some slave freak out when you release them and refuse to escape.

edit 2:

If you are planning on being at war with Holy Nation from the start attacking guards as a slave is fine and the Flotsam are natural allies who will let you join them pissing off Holy Nation.