CONFLICT THESAURUS

HAVING TO DECIDE TO HELP OR DO NOTHING



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, 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, failures and mistakes, relationship friction, duty and responsibility

NOTES:
Your character will likely encounter situations where they're able to come to someone's aid. But it's not always easy deciding whether or not they should. Scenarios that include an element of danger for the character—or for others—and those that involve moral implications can cause them to pause, uncertain whether or not to act.

EXAMPLES:
Deciding whether or not to intervene in a physical fight between strangers on the street
Witnessing discrimination or racism at work and deciding whether to say something or not
Suspecting a child is being trafficked but not being certain or having proof
Wavering about telling the truth in a legal investigation that implicates a friend 
Suspecting illegal activity may be happening next door and struggling with the decision to get more involved and discover the truth
Trying to decide if one should stage an intervention for a family member who will not appreciate the attention
The character not knowing if they should tell their parents about a sibling's secret that involves self-destructive thoughts or behaviors
Wanting to aid a homeless person but having too many responsibilities as it is
The character having to decide if they should relocate their family to remove their child from a dangerous situation or if they're fine staying where they are
Seeing an animal in distress but not wanting to endanger oneself to help it 
Being asked for money by a friend whose poor financial decisions result in constant need

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
The situation worsening while the character tries to make up their mind
Trying to help someone who doesn't want help
The person in need being upset at the character's reluctance to do what was asked
Making sacrifices that cause problems for the character
An unexpected complication that requires more effort or sacrifice
Choosing to help, then being overwhelmed with similar requests from others
Helping someone who expects the character to continue providing aid
The character learning they're being scammed
Family members pressuring the character into ignoring the situation because they don't want to be inconvenienced
Choosing not to help, then regretting the decision

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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