CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

SEEKING DEATH (DARK)



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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.
NOTES:
There are varying degrees of subtlety to this motivation. A character who knows that they wish to die will actively be trying to make that happen. Others who aren't aware of this desire may subconsciously engage in destructive activities that are likely to bring it about. Most characters pursuing this goal will do so in isolation, but if they have an axe to grind or blame others for their pain, their end-of-life plans may include taking those people out at the same time.

FORMS THIS MIGHT TAKE:
Deliberately planning one's suicide or final transition
Engaging in progressively risky or dangerous behaviors with the subconscious hope that it will end one's life

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.

Esteem and Recognition: If a character's low self-esteem leads to loathing or hatred for him or herself, death could become a way to end the pain or make a statement about their perceived lack of value or worth.
Love and Belonging: A character suffering enough isolation, abandonment, or rejection may be driven by their lack of love and belonging to end the pain.
Safety and Security: A character whose existence is chronically unsafe (with their physical or emotional wellness continuously being threatened) may seek death as an escape.
Physiological Needs: A character who believes their days are already limited (such as a terminally ill patient) may choose to speed up the process by pursuing this motivation.

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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WHAT'S AT STAKE IF THIS GOAL ISN'T MET?
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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