There are many different kinds of quests that you'll end up sending your characters on, even in a single campaign of Dungeons & Dragons. On these quests they will fight deadly monsters, see miraculous sights, and change the world (hopefully) for the better. While most of these quests are a part of the main plot you have set out for them, you shouldn't overlook quests connecting to the players.

These personal quests are a part of advancing the personal goals or backstory of a character, and are crucial for making a seamless connection between the world you created and the character your players created. But what are some good ways to use these personal quests? Well, there are some surprising tips and dual purposes to a well-made personal quest.

Tie Them Into The Main Plot

Stories Within Stories

Art by Mark Zug

While this isn't always the case, sometimes with player characters, you can effortlessly tie some personal quests in with the main plot of your campaign. If you have the entirety of the storyline thought out, this can be harder, but usually, characters like paladins and clerics can be pretty easily called on to banish an evil that is already a main enemy of the plot, and so forth.

Think about the facets of the goals and backstory of the characters, and you can connect them to the main story to kill two birds with one stone. This also gives the character more reasons to go on this main quest.

Use Them As A Diversion

A Little Distraction

Gnome Artificer Vi via Wizards of the Coast

Sometimes, part of a campaign can drag on longer than you thought. Whether it was a tough boss fight, a lot of emotion, or a lot of travel, you may need a break after the stress of a main plot arc. Personal quests are great for that.

They are often far shorter than the main plot arcs, and they can be made to be a quick and exciting foray into something new before jumping back into the main story. They also, depending on the character, have a different set of emotions and problems to encounter that help give your campaign some range if it's getting stagnant.

Tie Multiple Personal Quests Together

Friends & Companions

You Come to the Gnoll Camp by Billy Christian

Depending on what kind of characters you have, you may get quite lucky and be able to combine more than one personal quest. They might have an evil person in their backstory in common, a setting, or even a similar goal that can be intertwined to make for a sort of co-op adventure.

Make sure that both players will be okay with this, though. After all, personal quests are times for a character to shine. If you do go this route to combine their stories, ensure any character involved gets their fair share of the spotlight. This can also be a good way to grow connections between characters.

Use Them To Get A Player Involved

No One Left Behind

Heroes Feast by Raluca Marinescu

Sometimes energy can wane, life can get in the way, or players can just hog the limelight. If you find one player starting to fade into the background, it is a good time to bring up a personal quest of theirs.

This will not only reconnect them with the story but also give them plenty of time to be involved and lead the way for the adventuring party as a whole. It doesn't have to be a long or especially intense quest, but a little reminder that you see them and want them involved can go a long way.

Use Them To Upgrade A Character

Boons And Benefits

Paladin Art by Michael Broussard

Even the best of character builders may find that their newest adventurer is falling short compared to their other party members. If you find a certain player is having trouble keeping up in rolls, combat, or other facets of the game, it may be time to utilize a personal quest.

This will not only give them a chance to feel powerful, but at the end of their quest, you can reward them in a way that boosts their attributes. From a new feature to a new magic item, whatever you think is best for leveling out the playing field is a solid way to keep them in the game.

Make Threats Unique

Tailor Them To Your Character

Succubus by Jodie Muir

No one wants to go on their own personal quest and face off against another cookie-cutter bandit crew. When you are setting up the hurdles the characters will have to jump through on their personal quests, make them unique.

Look to the character as they have been played so far and adjust puzzles, enemies, loot, and the setting itself to what they are connected to. This will make every personal quest like a microcosm of the characters themselves and show that you have been paying attention as the game goes on.

Consider More Than Goals

More To A Character

Bardic Inspiration via Wizards of the Coast

The goals a character has are a great start to setting up the plot of a personal quest, but you don't have to end there. Also, consider a character's fears, flaws, strengths, and passions.

These can all be added into a personal quest to further connect a character and player to the questline. Throwing in a favored enemy, or a puzzle they have the keys to solving, is a great way to feel like they are the ones in charge of solving the mystery of the quest at hand. A little bit of detail goes a long way.

Use Them To Show Off Something New

Enemies & The Like

Owlbear Parley via Wizards of the Coast

Contrary to popular belief, personal quests don't have to be all about the character in question showing off. You, too, can show off your DMing skills with a fun twist.

These personal quests can be a great way to show off something you've been working on, but don't have anywhere to put it. A puzzle, an enemy, or a homebrewed spell can all take place in a personal quest and then be either forgotten about or brought into the main questline. Have some fun with it, and your players are sure to notice.

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Dungeons & Dragons

8.4/10 Original Release Date 1974 Player Count 2+ Age Recommendation 12+ (though younger can play and enjoy) Length per Game From 60 minutes to hours on end. Franchise Name Dungeons & Dragons Publishing Co Wizards of the Coast Brand Dungeons & Dragons Expand Collapse