Scales of Conflict
Conflicts, without them what keeps readers hooked? What motivates our characters to fight, grow, or strive to protect what they love? Conflict is a fundamental element of storytelling, yet we rarely discuss the different types of conflicts that shape a narrative. This week, like last, I’m diving deeper into the lore of Project Shenanigans to explore how I approach conflict and create both high stakes and subtle shifts in my stories.
In Project Shenanigans, conflicts fall into three broad categories: world conflicts, guild conflicts, and personal conflicts. Each plays a unique role in shaping the timeline, specific characters, and locations, weaving together to create a rich and immersive story.
World conflicts encompass large-scale events that affect the entire world. One of the most significant examples in my series is the Draconic Civil War, a devastating war sparked when a younger dragon prince killed his brother, the king, and usurped the throne. This betrayal led to dragons waging war not just amongst themselves but against the world as well. Dragons, being an ancient and powerful race, wield magic beyond the understanding of younger races like humans and beast folk. When they clashed, the devastation was catastrophic. Millions perished, and centuries-old civilisations were reduced to ruins in mere months. The war changed the very fabric of the world. It altered how races interacted, turning some kingdoms more reclusive and others power-hungry. Though the Draconic Civil War is now part of history, its consequences continue to shape the world, its characters, and ongoing conflicts throughout the series. These world-altering events affect everyone and create stakes that ripple across the entire series.
Painting: The fall of the Dwarven Empire
Guild conflicts, by contrast, are smaller in scale but still vital. Morgana and Welt, the two main characters of the series, are part of an adventuring guild that faces its own challenges. Whether it is a mission last-minute goes wrong, members go missing, or internal politics, these challenges create tension within the guild. These conflicts don’t impact the entire world like the Draconic Civil War, but they still play a significant role in driving the story forward. Some of these challenges span a single book, while others persist across the series, affecting the guild as a whole or key individuals within it. Guild conflicts add tension and keep the narrative dynamic, acting as stepping stones between the grand world events and the deeply personal struggles of individual characters.
Even in a fantasy world brimming with magic, battles, and adventure, personal conflicts remain at the heart of the story. Every character has a past, and every character embarks on a personal journey. Whether it’s a romantic arc, a quest for revenge, or a struggle to overcome fears and past mistakes, personal growth and challenges add emotional depth to the story. For instance, Morgana is on a path of self-discovery, haunted by PTSD from a mistake that left her cursed by the gods. Welt, while outwardly confident and regarded as one of the world’s greatest war strategists, hides his alcoholism and wrestles with a past he continues to flee. Even Steve, the skeleton introduced last week, has his own personal stakes. Despite being dead, he has sworn allegiance to Death. But why is he so loyal to Death? What drives his devotion to protecting Morgana? And why does he keep stealing Welt’s boots?
Every character faces struggles that connect them to the larger narrative. The repercussions of world-shaking events like the Draconic Civil War ripple into the guild’s challenges, which in turn affect individual characters’ lives. These layers of conflict don’t exist in isolation—they intertwine, shaping the plot and pushing the characters to grow and change in meaningful ways.
What types of conflicts shape your life? Are there personal battles you’ve faced that have helped you grow? Are there shared struggles that connect us all? Conflict drives not only stories but also the way we experience and navigate life. Let’s continue exploring how the conflicts we create in fiction—and the ones we face in reality—shape who we are.
