Managing conflict in mercenaries’ game (QUA-M3-02-EN)

• To train conflict resolution skills and decision making which could help individuals develop effective communication strategies, active listening in online of face-to-face disagreements, constructive language, and negotiation skills.
• To support those with little conflict experience, shy or with communication problems

• Students
• Adolescent youth

BEGINNING: Facilitator splits the group in two smaller groups. He prepares two scrolls with decisions for each route and for two turning points (see decision scrolls lower in this description part).

STEP 1: Facilitator invites participants to imagine that they are in a game where they should choose what their group will do. Facilitator will read the beginning of the story. In the moment, when decision should be made, both groups read their scrolls of knowledge.

In order to support their cooperation skills, both groups are asked to create their flag and name for them before the game.

STORY: Both of your parties got hired by a wealthy merchant to escort a caravan and his family to another city. You must protect them at all costs. You would gain reward upon arrival to the destination with sum 100 golds. You will encounter situations along the way in which you must make decisions to make sure that your expedition is a success.

Route 1

1. Checkpoint: Wizard of the bridge. You have been travelling for 2 days. The autumn weather is unpleasant and cold, it is raining heavily on your group. You have arrived at a bridge and an old man with a staff stands in your way. There is another way that would take more time to cross the river, but you need to go further. Your team has information how to react. Make a decision.

• Team A’s scroll of knowledge: You have heard stories from the village you passed that this man is a powerful mage who destroyed armies and powerful monsters in the past. If you anger him unimaginable things could happen. The weather seems to settle, and sunny days are ahead one more day of travelling doesn’t seem that bad. You also heard that a few weeks ago the local knights made the way clear from the creatures of the night.
  • if they go on the detour. The weather is indeed better, and it is true that there are no monsters, but you are attacked by bandits. The merchant is injured on the arm, and part of the caravan is damaged, he is furious. He wants to get to the other city as quickly as possible.
• Team B’s scroll of knowledge: You only see an old man, almost beggar, in front of you. His eyes are grey from disease, his hands are shaking, and he is mumbling to the air. You could easily push him aside. The weather is really bad and one more day of traveling seems disastrous. Also, it is said that the other route is dangerous - with bandits and goblins.
  • if they cross the bridge. The weather is getting even stormier, you indeed need to cross the river as soon as possible. The old man is not bothered at first but one of the B’s party member insults him, and he casts a spell on the caravan, everybody gets sick, their skin is covered in rashes and they have a fever, the merchant’s son seems even sicker, he is furious, he wants to get the other city as quickly as possible.

2. Checkpoint: You need to stop and take the supplies and have a rest. You can either choose a nearby city’s oportunities or stay camping in the nearby clearing. Make a decision.

• Team A’s scroll of knowledge: Going in the city is insane. It is well known that the city is the city of thieves, and they are going to rob you blind in the night. The clearing seems nice, and the weather is perfect for camping. From the nearby forest you could gather supplies for the last part of the journey.
  • if they stay in the clearing: Indeed, you gathered all the fruits of the forest wild boar meat, berries, wild honey, and water from the clearest fountain that you ever seen. However, you were wrong with the weather a shivering cold rain came, you barely slept and even under the best tents you and the merchant got soaked.
• Team B’s scroll of knowledge: You’re sick and tired of camping you did this for days and you want to take a good rest. You know that the other team’s leader has a personal conflict with the city’s gangs, and he/she is scared to go there. Also, your supplies are running short, and you really want to have decent food.
  • if they go to the city: The gossips were fake and the city welcomed you with open arms, you had your best night of sleep-in week. However, the city did another kind of thievery on you. The supplies you bought seemed worthy for a king but when you left city turned out that it was all rotten and inedible.

Route 2

1. Checkpoint: Festival of the woods. As you walk in the enchanted woods there is a strange, charming music that whispers in your ears. On hills of two you see tents, stages, and carts full of druids, fairies, and fauns having a huge festival in the honor of the gods of this ancient wood. Your merchant decides that you must participate to praise the gods. How to behave?

• Team A’s scroll of knowledge: You read in the local paper, that they just discovered drugs and they’re very popular among people. If you go to the festival, you have a high chance, that the mergent will be drugged.
  • if they leave the festival: as they are advancing in the forest, the forest is getting more and more hostile. Animals damaging the caravan. Tree trunks are getting in the way of the caravan, so you cannot move, losing three days.
• Team B’s scroll of knowledge: You know that in this festival you can find the merchant’s long-lost wife. He has been looking for her for over 10 years.
  • if they stay at the festival: You have a great time at the festival, but you have been drugged. And you also didn’t find the merchant’s wife, so the merchant is angry, he is now threatening that he’s not going to pay if you don’t find the wife. You lose three looking for her

2. Checkpoint: The huge wall. You come upon a huge wall; you cannot go around it. You have to make a decision.

• Team A’s scroll of knowledge: You know that next to the wall, there’s a seller, who can give you a hiking equipment to go over the wall. This equipment is very expensive.
  • if you go over the wall: You have to pay for the equipment, but you don’t have enough money for it, so you ask the merchant to pay for it. He does, but he is angry that he had to pay for this, so he cuts your wages by 10 gold.
• Team B’s scroll of knowledge: You know that you have hidden inside the caravan a bag of dynamite. You can easily blow up the wall.
  • if you blow up the wall: When you blow up the wall, you can see that it was protecting a city full of people. Nobody got hurt, but the city is furious, so they claim 10 golds to repair the wall.

After that there were no challenges left. There were only a few days of travelling left. Finally, you did it! After all the hardship you have arrived at the final destination. However, the merchant is not that pleased there was too many things to blame on you. He cuts 30 golds from both teams.

Facilitator explains that the thing is if they choose any of the options they get a benefit but one bad drawback as well. If they don’t think about a third creative outside the box solution, they need to live with the consequences. And in the second route there is thing to blame the other group. Never mind what they choose, at the end the merchant will cut the money just like in the real life the decisions have positives and negatives. There’s no “perfect compromise”, or a ”perfect outcome”. You just have to cooperate.

STEP 2

Facilitator will more deeply explain the rules for cooperation and conflict solving (see advice for facilitator). Discussion follows.

• Scrolls with decision points,
• paper, coloured pencils or additional material for the flags

• Roleplay
• Discussion

STORY: Both groups are mercenaries who get hired to protect a merchant to travel from one city to another. On the road, they will encounter two turning points where groups must decide for the safety of the merchant.

PREPARATIONAL WORK:

• Divide them in two groups. They are mercenary guilds now. Let them time to make their own banner, short backstory (maybe we can give them one), their leader, and their own quote.
• Prepare scrolls with decisions (take them from Description part) or if you would like, you can adapt it to meat your groups needs and knowledge.

AFTER STORY: prepare a presentation on tips about how to better compromise – see following example or choose another source.

• Identify the source and nature of the conflict: The first step in resolving a social media conflict is to understand what caused it and what kind of conflict it is. Is it a factual error, a difference of opinion, a personal attack, or a troll? Is it a public or a private issue? Is it affecting your brand reputation, your customer satisfaction, or your internal communication? By identifying the source and nature of the conflict, you can decide how to respond and what tone to use.
• Acknowledge and empathize with the other party: The second step in resolving a social media conflict is to acknowledge and empathize with the other party. This means showing that you have heard and understood their point of view, their feelings, and their concerns. You can do this by using phrases like "I appreciate your feedback", "I can see why you are frustrated", or "I apologize for any inconvenience". This can help to defuse the situation, build rapport, and demonstrate respect.
• Provide accurate and relevant information: The third step in resolving a social media conflict is to provide accurate and relevant information that can address the issue and clarify any misunderstandings. You can do this by using facts, data, examples, or testimonials that support your position or solution. You can also link to credible sources, policies, or guidelines that explain your actions or decisions. This can help to establish trust, credibility, and authority.
• Offer a solution or a compromise: The fourth step in resolving a social media conflict is to offer a solution or a compromise that can satisfy both parties and resolve the problem. You can do this by proposing a specific action, a refund, a discount, a correction, or an alternative that can meet the needs and expectations of the other party. You can also ask for their input, feedback, or agreement on the solution or compromise. This can help to create a win-win outcome, restore goodwill, and prevent future conflicts.
• Follow up and monitor the situation: The fifth step in resolving a social media conflict is to follow up and monitor the situation to ensure that the solution or compromise has been implemented and that the conflict has been resolved. You can do this by sending a confirmation message, a thank you note, or a survey to the other party. You can also check the social media platform for any further comments, questions, or reactions. This can help to maintain communication, evaluate the results, and improve your performance.
• Learn and improve from the experience: The sixth and final step in resolving a social media conflict is to learn and improve from the experience. This means reflecting on what went well and what went wrong, what you learned and what you can do better, and what you can change or improve in your social media strategy, policies, or practices. You can also share your insights, feedback, or best practices with your team, your peers, or your audience. This can help to enhance your skills, knowledge, and reputation.

What are the key elements of a social media conflict resolution strategy? 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-key-elements-social-media-conflict-resolution

Conflict-management and compromise making. 2023. Retrieved and adapted from: https://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/toolbox_tool_download-file-3280/COMPROMISE_MAKING_TOOL.pdf

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