I kinda like the idea of "story milestones" and such. Like  one "levels up" when they do stuff in the Rp that would seem sensibly interesting enough to have been quite an experience.

Orchid hunting animals is just business as usual for him, even if he has killed a small village worth of bears. But him taking on a powerful forest druid who has taken offense at his bear - centric genocide and conquering the hard ships, now that would be worth EXP and possibly a life changing ability earned (like a feat).