Let's say the PC's help a semi-primitive culture (who may or may not be the Sathari from Chronicles of the Gatekeeper) throw of the yoke of a tyrannical ruler (who may or may not be the villain of the first Act of said adventure). Assuming the Big Bad guy doesn't die in the fighting, he will likely be captured by the freedom fighters, who will drag him before a hastily assembled ruling council to judge him for his crimes. Facing a life sentence in a dungeon, our villain will, of course, invoke an ancient law of the culture.

Ah yes! Righteousness will guide the hand of the victor! And only through death will guilt or innocence be decided! And it makes for darn good entertainment! And, of course, none of the villagers will have the courage to challenge him, so it will fall to one of the PCs.

But wait... The choice here is to let an evil man go free, or to kill him. Yeah, he's a bad guy, but in all likelihood, his immediate power is broken. On the other hand, is it giving in to Fear to let him intimidate his way out of this? Will he eventually return to wreak havoc on the town? Mmm... this is ripe with delicious conflict!

How much, though, and for what actions? I think engaging in the duel would be worth at least a point or two, and killing the enemy once defeated would be many more (though I would give the character a sense of foreboding for that part). Letting him walk free might be a little bit as well, unless someone steps up with some nice rhetoric. "Enough blood has been spilled on your account! If the laws of this land demand your freedom, then take it and go! Your hold on these people is broken; do not return, as I doubt you will find mercy a second time!" One of my players is a Guardian with Justice/Cruelty as his virtue, and the most skilled in melee. Would it be fair to hit him with a "fear" check? Not for actual Fear, of course, but a Discipline check with similar mechanics to reflect that need to see Justice done at any cost?

The light side approach: attempt convincing him it's better if he is imprisoned. If he still insists on combat, take the challenge, beat him unconscious & deliver him to be jailed.

You can call for the Discipline check if it feels appropriate. I typically just explain in as much detail as I can in-character and if the players still aren't getting it, I explain out of character very plainly "this is what's happening right now". It's on them to act in-character and according to their Moral Strength/Weakness.

Agree with the first response. Attempting to convince him otherwise then if failed accept the trial and simply knock him out and no conflict is necessary. I don't think there should be many (if any) situations where there's no choice but to gain conflict, there should always be a way to avoid it, albiet more often than not a difficult one.

As for what amounts? Maybe 1 for accepting the challenge without first trying to talk him down, 10 for killing him once unconscious and maybe 4 or so for simply walking away knowing the residents will suffer for this. Given though the native populations factions in that adventure itching for power I played more on the power vacuum and potential ensuing violence that might occur if they didn't help install a new leader or pacify both families.

4 minutes ago, Dark Bunny Lord said:

I don't think there should be many (if any) situations where there's no choice but to gain conflict, there should always be a way to avoid it, albiet more often than not a difficult one.

This. It's more difficult because he's geared up in his mind to fight already, so the social checks should be harder. Also, if you do fight, he won't be holding back & will be trying to kill you, while you are presumably trying not to deal any serious injuries to him.

Also, personal opinion here but murder should never be just 10 Conflict. It's not 100% likely that you will kill him while trying to stop him in the combat, you'd have to defeat him then go and end his life when he's no longer a threat. There's a reason the suggestion in the book says 10+. I usually put murder at around 20 Conflict, more for especially cruel and unnecessary killings.