CONFLICT THESAURUS

A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION



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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:
Dangers and threats, failures and mistakes, duty and responsibility

EXAMPLES:
A vehicle breaking down
A cell phone battery exploding, rendering the phone useless (or a hazard)
A tool that breaks when it's needed most
An access panel shorting out
Life-saving equipment failing in an emergency
A boat motor dying or running out of gas in the middle of a trip
A parachute failing to open
A clip breaking while the character is mountain climbing
Landing gear that doesn't open
A gun jamming
An elevator breaking down while the character is on it 
A subway train stalling on the tracks
The power grid failing
A business's computer system crashing

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
A project or mission being delayed or put on hold
Arriving late to the destination
Other people being inconvenienced by the character's tardiness 
Having to ask someone for assistance
The failure causing the character embarrassment (because they're responsible)
Having to make a detour or find another way of achieving a goal
Having to think quickly 
Wasting time to secure a replacement
Spending money on repairs
Having to find a stopgap solution or rig a replacement that doesn't function as well
Being stranded until help arrives
Being stuck with strangers

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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