A Downside to Victory

The drawing on the preceding page depicts a moment from a hypothetical game. In this game, you play a character who has mastered some psychokinetic abilities. You've killed a sub-boss, and now you call your blade back to you.

But at this point in the game, your power is so great that some people are afraid of you. It doesn't matter that you've never harmed them; it doesn't matter that you've established a friendship with them by working together to overcome mutual foes. They're simply afraid of the power you wield, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Your victories have had a downside: You've frightened off some of those you hold close to you.

I call this "A Downside to Victory," but it could also be labeled "A Downside to Great Attainment." It's another Plot Deepening Technique.