What Are Goals?

Goals give your character purpose beyond just adventuring. They help shape your journey, interactions, and personal growth within the world. Your goals should be specific, actionable, and flexible enough to change as the story unfolds.

• Short-Term Goals (1-3 Sessions) → Immediate objectives that your character can start working toward right away.
• Medium-Term Goals (3-10) → Bigger ambitions that take time, effort, or resources to accomplish.
• Long-Term Goals (Campaign-Spanning) → The ultimate dreams or legacy your character wants to achieve.

1️⃣ Defining Your Character’s Motivations

Before setting goals, think about what drives your character.

• Why did your character become an adventurer?
• What do they value most (power, knowledge, revenge, justice, wealth, belonging, etc.)?
• What haunts them from their past?
• Who or what do they care about most?
• What is something they have always wanted but never had?

These motivations will help shape your goals.

2️⃣ Setting Goals

Short-Term Goals (1-3 Sessions) - 2 Goals

What is something your character wants to accomplish soon?

• Must be something achievable with immediate effort.
• Should involve NPCs, locations, or story elements in play.
• Might be personal, faction-related, or skill-based.

Examples:

• Win a duel to prove my strength.
• Convince an NPC to give me information.
• Find new supplies, a spell, or magic item.
• Earn 50 gold to pay off a small debt.
• Gain the trust of a noble or faction.

Medium-Term Goals (Several Sessions or a Story Arc) - 2 Goals

What is something your character is working toward but can’t achieve immediately?

• Should require planning, teamwork, or multiple steps.
• Might have challenges, requiring problem-solving or resources.
• Should move your character toward a major turning point.

Examples:

• Start a thieves' guild in town.
• Find a legendary sword lost in ancient ruins.
• Learn a new powerful spell from a mentor.
• Uncover the truth behind a conspiracy.
• Restore my family’s honor by proving their innocence.

Long-Term Goals (Campaign-Spanning) - 1 Goal

What is your character’s ultimate dream or destiny?

• Must be significant enough to shape their legacy.
• Likely evolves over time as the campaign unfolds.
• Might involve moral dilemmas, major choices, or world-changing events.

Examples:

• Become the ruler of a kingdom.
• Avenge my fallen mentor by hunting down their killer.
• Break a powerful curse affecting my homeland.
• Discover the secret of immortality.
• Find my lost sibling who vanished years ago.

3️⃣ How Will You Work Toward These Goals?

Now that you have your goals, think about:

• What obstacles or dangers might stand in your way?
• Who (NPCs or factions) might help or hinder you?
• What skills, spells, or knowledge do you need to achieve them?
• How do these goals connect to other party members?