Dotandra is a Solku native who was taken off the street by gnolls at 14 and shipped to the market in Katapesh, where it was expected that she would fetch a lucrative amount from a slave trader who would take her to the north. However, her stubborn streak was evident at the market, and she sold for much less to a local noble instead. Throughout her
"career" as a slave, her masters found her to be more trouble than she was worth. She wouldn't smile at guests, she'd pay too much for food when sent out shopping, she'd start fights with other slaves, and other minor offenses that would frustrate her master until she would be sold to some other local. This was a conscious plan on her part. She realized that slaves represent an investment to their master, so most masters are hesitant to kill a slave if they can sell them off instead. She also knew that slaves were considered property, and the Pactmasters punished those who destroyed valuable property in Katapesh, so that also discouraged masters from imposing capital punishment on her, as long as she did nothing to cross the line, such as attacking her master or trying to escape.
She had been obedient to her last master, however. She stayed with him for 8 years. Not because she had any fondness for him (though he didn't treat his slaves poorly). She stayed because she struck up a close friendship with an enslaved Varisian thief her master bought shortly after her. His name was Ruminsky, and he would tell her stories of his exploits before coming to Katap, as he called it, and would teach her the tricks of the thief. She always marveled that he could keep his sense of humor about the hand they took when they caught him stealing in Katap.
Eventually, their master's bad investments caught up to him. He had to liquidate much of his assets, including selling most of his slaves. Though Dotandra and Ruminsky were both sold to the city government, they were separated and she hasn't seen him since. Though she joined this mission to gain her freedom, she also hoped she'd see him among the other slaves who volunteered.
