So what are your characters' motivations and how do they justify them (if only to themselves)? How do they dress things up? For example very few will readily admit to greed as being their motivation. They will insist on "having a need" that must be fulfilled and probably give lots of reasons for having that need (though the bottom line will still be they're being greedy!).
So other reasons why could include:-
- Not wanting to be overlooked. (This translates as being fed up with everyone else getting the goodies and the character now wants it to be their turn to be on the receiving end of good things).
- Needing funds/special gifts for a specific purpose. Naturally this purpose will be a good one (though it is never explained why the character doesn't use their own funds and special gifts to do what they can. This is a case of expecting others to do this for them).
- To stop special gifts falling into the wrong hands. This is a good way of dealing with rivals for any magical gifts being distributed by generous fairy godmothers and so on. The character here will give lots of reason why others are the wrong hands and why they are the right ones.
Are there other ways in which characters fool themselves as to their motivations? And do they actually fool anyone?