CONFLICT THESAURUS

HAVING TO BETRAY A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE



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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:
Relationship friction, moral dilemmas and temptations, losing an advantage

NOTES:
A betrayal occurs when loyalty is discarded, often for selfish reasons: possibly to satisfy a desire, get ahead, or put personal needs first. But your character may also choose to set aside loyalty for legitimate reasons—say, when a friend is a danger to themselves, a loved one needs help but won't take it, or the cost to others will be too high.

EXAMPLES:
The character turning in a loved who has committed a crime
Staging an intervention to confront a family member about their substance abuse problem
Telling a friend's spouse that the friend is cheating on them
Being blackmailed into revealing family secrets that will hurt a loved one's reputation
Revealing damaging information about a friend to avoid threats to one's own family
Reporting a friend's suicidal thoughts or plans to a counselor, teacher, or family member
Having a loved one in need of mental health intervention committed for evaluation
Suspecting a friend of child abuse and reporting them to the authorities
Telling a parent about a sibling's dangerous behavior
Refusing to lie, provide a false alibi, or break the law so a family member can avoid jail time 

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Awkwardness around the other person
Spending valuable time providing proof of wrongdoing
Being dragged into a couple's marital dispute or custody hearing
Friends and family members choosing sides when the betrayal causes a rift
Having to take personal time from work to make statements or file paperwork
Having to defend oneself to others when the betrayed person lies about the situation
People in the character's support system rejecting them for speaking out
Being constantly pumped for information by gossipy friends and family

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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