How does character motivation affect a story plot

Character motivation can greatly increase tension and story elements in a story plot.

Explanation:

Character motivation is the reason why characters act they way they do and do what they do. For example: "Jacob was so hungry he would kill a dragon just for food." Jacob's character motivation is his hunger. He needs food desperately. This could change how Jacob acts in the story compared with other people.

"The mafia threatened to steal all of Jacob's belongings. Jacob agreed with them, as long as they gave him food. The mafia took all of Jacob's things, including his house, in exchange for a meal. Jacob ate his cheeseburger happily."

If Jacob had a different character motivation, he might have acted differently, but he desperately wanted food, so he gave away all of his belongings.