CONFLICT THESAURUS

FACING A THREAT WHILE UNARMED



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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:
Dangers and threats, duty and responsibility, loss of control, losing an advantage

EXAMPLES:
A police officer losing their firearm in a fight with a suspect
Having to fight off a kidnapper without a weapon
Being attacked by a bear or cougar while hiking
Being attacked by a shark during a dive
Being assaulted in a dark alley 
A weaponless character facing down an armed home intruder
Being mugged at gunpoint
The character facing an assault while they're vulnerable (in the hospital following surgery, at home with a broken leg, while they're intoxicated, etc.)
A mild confrontation turning violent when the other party pulls a knife or gun

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Being caught off guard and so even more vulnerable
Clothing choices that put the character at a disadvantage (having to run in flipflops, the attack happening while they're in their pajamas or naked, etc.) 
Not being able to pinpoint the attacker's location (because it's dark, the attacker is hiding, etc.)
Having to find a place to hide
The character struggling to silence their own rushed breathing so they can hear or hide
Needing to stay still in an uncomfortable position
Being with someone who is likely to make the situation worse (because they're impulsive, confrontational, macho, or foolish)
Needing to stay calm in a high-emotion situation
Being responsible for someone (a child or elderly parent) and needing to protect them, too
Being alone with no hope of aid from anyone else
Sustaining minor injuries in the attack (cuts, scrapes, a black eye, etc.)

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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