As we begin to explore Rianardu more, I think it's important to document the characters goals outside of adventuring with the party.  I created a page here

http://severantos.com/rianardu-personal-quests.html

IF you have a quest for the page, either make the change, or text me or respond here and I will add it to the page.  For those that want to DM:  This is a chance to run smaller quests.  This doesn't mean that all PQ's are small affairs.  For example, Zaren wants to hunt and kill a dragon....that's pretty heady stuff, and will require most of the party.

So here is my idea:  Personal quests should be run on teh side.  TYpically, a single adventure shoudl give ~ 1/2 the gold needed to hit the next average wealth point, and 1/2 the XP needed for the next level.  If a DM's design of a PQ is on that level, it should be open to the whole party.  If the PQ is very much less, then it can be run with a few players (though the option should be extended to everyone who wants to help).

These quests can be used to fill in the DM PC's XP for when he/she is DMing.

Thoughts?

I had imagined Elle's and Braun's personal quests being done with the party.  But your idea is cool too; personal quests that revolve around living family members may be better suited for solo questing.

A PQ can be done with the whole party, if that is the wish of all invovled.  I envision it like this:

1) DMs begin to drop clues to solve the mysteries around the character's PQs.

2) WHen a DM feels that the encounter is appropriate, approach the key player, and ask him/her if she/he is ready.

3) Cook the quest into the existing story line.