Goal Repeatability · Game Master's Laboratory

Sep 13 in Advice

Goal Repeatability

Many of my players are struggling with meaningful failure of their goals, in the form of repeatability.

Kill my first undead
Steal 5 items
Find a lead about where my mentor went
Use runemagic to protect an innocent
Craft/upgrade a weapon in the party

I feel like the root cause is no "why" or "stakes" attached. I don't want failure to mean my players are sad and repeat attempting the same goal over again. I'm trying to come up with some actionable guidance to give these players.

Maybe attaching these goals to an ongoing conflict, either in the world or internally with the character would help?

Kill my first undead: So I can be inducted into the Order of Kellos
Steal 5 items: To pay off a debt I imminently owe
Find a lead about where my mentor went: because I need their wisdom to stop the blight
Use runemagic to protect an innocent: (from the undead plague) because if I don't, the undead army will grow
Craft/upgrade a weapon in the party: to prove my craftsmanship worthy and secure my entry to Grayhaven

Am I being too hard? Would the suggestion to tie these goals to ongoing conflicts help you if you were in their shoes? Do you have any other recommendations for these goals?

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