Small but interesting stakes! I hear you both. I think that’s just a matter of selling my players on coming up with something and trusting that it’s okay that it’s small.

I think an early squirmy/uncomfortable reaction to Mouse Guard continues to haunt me on this. Even though the stakes are big, there was a disappointing “mice, really?” reaction from one of my players. He’s very good but he’s also judgy about stuff like that. I’m (perhaps unfairly) projecting his attitude on the small personal stakes question. “Should I ask this girl to the prom? Really?” or “How can I help my aging parents while renovating my home, really?” or whatever.

(Plot twist! This is the same player who, much more recently, was all-in on heartwarming as a break from grimdark. I’m dumb and insecure.)