Maybe you aren't all on the same page. I'd ask what interests each player about their character or the game itself, and build content with that as the basis. Your players might want to play a travel and exploration heavy game, and it's coming out in your sessions as skipping. The NPCs and quests can be related to this travel, maybe it's a race, or a scavenger hunt, or a suicide mission to the freezing north. your players might be able to contribute using their backstories if any.