CONFLICT THESAURUS

RULES CHANGING TO ONE'S 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:
Losing an advantage, loss of control, increased pressure and ticking clocks, moral dilemmas and temptations

EXAMPLES:
Participation requirements (weight, height, drug testing, etc.) shifting for a competitive sport 
The interest rate of a loan going up
The requirements for professional accreditation changing
A contract or lease being updated to include new costs or stricter terms
Membership requirements becoming more stringent
Work policies being altered (promotion requirements, scheduling expectations, etc.)
The character's child custody arrangement changing against their will 
A grading system being tweaked 
A significant other wanting to change the way the relationship operates 
A loved one updating their legal will or trust to include other beneficiaries 
School entry requirements being made more difficult
New laws being passed that restrict the character's freedom to marry, vote, travel, become a citizen, have autonomy over their own body, etc.
A loosening of the rules allowing new competitors to flood a marketplace

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Wasting time navigating new processes or filing more documents
Needing to pay more money than under the previous rules
Losing a perk
Seeing a benefit shrink and having to decide whether it's still worthwhile
A decreased chance of promotion
No longer being qualified to compete in a competition
Rising taxes or fees resulting in less overall pay
An increased risk for certain transgressions 
Having to change preparations for a test, career path, or entry into a school
Being fined for failing to follow updated rules
Needing to find another place of leisure or worship
Having to find another source of income
Losing an established social circle
Trying to appeal the change

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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