CONFLICT THESAURUS

REALIZING ONE IS AT A DISADVANTAGE



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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:
Increased pressure and ticking clocks, failures and mistakes, moral dilemmas and temptations, duty and responsibility, loss of control, losing an advantage, ego-related conflict

NOTES:
In any society, people exist with different qualities, talents, experiences, and backgrounds. While differences make people unique and interesting, an unfortunate reality is that society tends to cater to a specific type of person, putting those outside of that type at a disadvantage. Differences in education, skills, mobility level, cognitive abilities, popularity, etc. can create an inequity in opportunity and may mean those people will be treated differently. In addition to this, perceived differences cause biases and discrimination, creating further inequities. As a result, a disadvantaged character will have additional challenges and face specific types of conflict.

EXAMPLES:
The character discovering that a perceived difference (skin color, sexuality, lack of magical powers, etc.) is the reason they are being ostracized, marginalized, or limited in opportunity
The character realizing their dreams are unattainable because they lack the necessary finances
Lacking the skills or training necessary to achieve a goal
Lacking the measure of talent needed to prevail
Recognizing a trait the character thought was beneficial is actually a flaw and responsible for many of their troubles 
Being associated with someone who puts the character at a disadvantage (because they're unpopular, a criminal, a racist, etc.)
The character realizing certain events from their past, should they be made public, will make it difficult for them to succeed
Having a mental challenge, such as a panic disorder, PTSD, or a mood disorder that others do not 
Losing one of the five senses
Receiving a medical diagnosis for a degenerative or terminal condition, such as cancer, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis
Being injured in a way that will lead to lifelong memory issues or cognitive struggles
Being labeled with a hurtful stereotype that is unfair and limiting
Having a belief system others can't accept (practicing witchcraft, being openly agnostic in a faith-based society, being part of a group marriage, etc.) and being ostracized for it 

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Feelings of anger or despair at not being able to change the disadvantage
Anger for being targeted for reasons outside of one's control
Having to find new ways of working to accommodate for the situation
Dealing with pity, bias, and small-mindedness
The character constantly having to affirm their value to others and fight for equality
Adjusting to new routines, such as remembering to take medications on a specific schedule
Having to work twice as hard to be respected or achieve desired results 
Experiencing losses because of the disadvantage (losing a competition, not getting into college, not making a sports team, missing out on promising opportunities at work, etc.)
Trying to hide the (real or perceived) disadvantage to make things easier

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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