I am the slavemaster of Lord Ruerl, and that is all you pitiful wretches need to know of me. Gone are the days when your lives were made complex by the choices that freedom allowed you. Your life will be simple now: obey me or die. There is often a scene in which the character is sold in the Slave Market , showcasing all the evils of slavery; the protagonist will witness how families are torn apart, will have to undress and be examined like an animal , and will perhaps be beaten.
Artists are particulary fond of the undress and be examined stage, for some reason. Especially for young women. If he looks strong, he will be told that he will go to the galleys or the mines β a Fate Worse than Death β or perhaps to the Gladiator Games. If she or occasionally he is attractive, she will be told that she will make a buyer very happy indeed If they're lucky, slaves will be bought for a certain skill or craft they possess.
If they're really lucky, they will be bought by someone who intends to set them free when no one is looking. If they're unlucky, they'll be bought by someone who works his slaves to death or by a lecher or end up as gladiators. If the character is female, this trope will probably lead to Go-Go Enslavement. This is a common plot element in hentai and doujinshi, where the victims are usually either blackmailed, drugged, or brainwashed into becoming Sex Slaves to their tormentors.
This usually results in breaking the victims until they resign themselves to their fate or they snap and learn to love it. When a sorcerer or a supernatural entity forces the protagonist into servitude, the trope overlaps with Muggle in Mage Custody.
When it's done to an entire race, see Slave Race. Indentured Servitude is a specific form. Senri is the only one sold at a slave market though. The Ancient Magus' Bride : Chise is enslaved in the first episode. In a twist, she sold herself entirely willingly, as a last, desperate attempt to find anyone who valued her in any way.
