Tip #24: Medium Stakes

the consequence will change the life of the protag, but not in any long-lasting way. It'll have an effect on the bigger story, will probably make things a bit tougher, but failing isn't going to change the protag that dramatically. Common medium stakes include choices where the protag knowingly makes things tougher on themselves for the sake of something that matters to them... It's not about worrying if the protag will win, but how this choice is going to make things worse down the road.

Given example: risking capture to rescue a friend.

http://storyflip.blogspot.com/2010/12/up-up-and-away-raising-stakes.html