CONFLICT THESAURUS

BREAKING THE LAW FOR A GOOD REASON



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, relationship friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Moral dilemmas and temptations, duty and responsibility

EXAMPLES:
The character breaking the speed limit to get an injured person to the hospital
Stealing essential supplies for someone who is starving or suffering
Hunting to obtain food when it's not allowed 
Engaging in activist work to further social justice or rights for marginalized groups
Harboring an innocent fugitive from a corrupt regime
Lying under oath to protect someone who is being framed
The character escaping a closed country to gain a better life 
Leading a rebellion to overturn an oppressive government
Citizens arming themselves to fight against a tyrannical monarchy
Holding onto banned materials, such as books or a radio
People meeting in secret to worship
Spreading truth the government considers to be propaganda 
Refusing to obey a law that goes against the character's moral beliefs (reporting someone to authorities based on their religion or sexual preference, euthanizing the elderly, etc.)

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
The character having to explain their actions to a loved one
Minor health issues due to worry over being caught (insomnia, stomach upset, etc.)
Having to keep up a charade, such as a sham marriage or hiding people in your home
Being chastised by friends and co-workers who don't understand the character's choice
Receiving a reprimand at work
Making financial sacrifices to help others
Knowing if the character is caught, their family will suffer
Hiding one's beliefs and actions from loved ones who are blind supporters of a corrupt government or religion
Being questioned by police and having to lie convincingly

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
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IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
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WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
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POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
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