CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

ESCAPING A DANGEROUS LIFE ONE NO LONGER WANTS TO LIVE



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HELPFUL TIP:

To understand why your character is driven toward a certain goal, get to know their positive and negative traits, as well as any significant emotional wounds that might be motivating them. Then you can explore the various kinds of conflict that could block them as they move toward their goal.
FORMS THIS MIGHT TAKE:
Extracting oneself from a criminal group (the mob) or one untouchable by law (a cartel)
Retiring as an assassin
Leaving a deep cover role as a detective
Extracting oneself as an advisor to a powerful, corrupt company or organization
Escaping a violent spouse or guardian
Leaving an environment that is lawless and violent
Leaving a prominent yet highly classified government group
Entering into protective custody in exchange for testifying against a high-profile criminal
Leaving a location that is overrun with crime and corruption
Escaping slavery
Leaving a cult
Breaking out of prison
Leaving a job in a high-risk field (toxic waste disposal, working in a coal mine, etc.)
Leaving a war-torn country or unstable political climate

HUMAN NEED DRIVING THE GOAL (INNER MOTIVATION):
There are five basic human needs that, when missing from a character's life, could motivate them to pursue this goal. The following needs are all possibilities, but only one of them should be the primary driver for any given character. For more information on the relationship between human needs and outer motivations, please see​ this ​Character Motivation tutorial.

Self-Actualization: When a character is constantly fighting to stay alive or maintain safety in a dangerous environment, they're unable to pursue the passions, beliefs, and ideals that would help them become fully actualized. When this lack reaches a tipping point, the character may take the leap to pursue actualization by freeing themselves of the people and forces that have trapped them.
Love and Belonging: A character who falls in love with someone but is denied a future with them because of their personal circumstances would do anything to escape and fully realize that love.
Safety and Security: If the character's lifestyle, choices, or circumstances put their loved ones in danger, the character may seek to regain that safety by making the necessary changes.

HOW THE CHARACTER MAY PREPARE FOR THIS GOAL:
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POSSIBLE SACRIFICES OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GOAL:
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ROADBLOCKS WHICH COULD PREVENT THIS GOAL FROM BEING ACHIEVED:
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TALENTS & SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THE CHARACTER ACHIEVE THIS GOAL:
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WHAT'S AT STAKE IF THIS GOAL ISN'T MET?
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