BOLSTER

This move happens during downtime, when a PC dedicates time and effort to training or study, to the making of plans, or to religious ceremony or offerings, in preparation for some future challenge or undertaking.

The times listed assume that the PC is devoting themselves to Bolstering, to the exclusion of other projects, expeditions, or even day-to-day responsibilities. It should be noticeable and kind of a big deal. You can let them Bolster part time, if you want, but it should then take the better part of a season to gain just 1 Preparation.

Time spent Bolstering doesn't count towards other projects, and vice versa. When the Marshal runs drills to achieve the Well-trained Militia improvement, they're Pulling Together, not Bolstering. But if the steading already has the Welltrained Militia improvement, and the Marshal spends an extra week drilling folks on a tactic they've already learned, then they're Bolstering.

The player has to describe how they're Bolstering. Clarify exactly what they're preparing for. If you think their efforts are unequal to the task, push back and tell them the requirements. A week spent seeking out tales from the elders might be a good way to Bolster for a trip among the Fae, but it won't help them improve the autumn harvest.

Large-scale preparations require more than just the PCs' time and efforts. If the PCs want to Bolster for a coming Seasons Change roll or an upcoming battle, they need to involve the village as a whole. They might need to Persuade key NPCs, Pull Together, and/or spend 1 or more Surplus or similar resources.

Once you and the player have settled on how they're Bolstering and for what, discuss the impacts of doing so. How long do they plan to spend? What work goes undone? Who do they ask/expect to cover for them?

Frame a scene or two with the PC while they're Bolstering, to bring it home and show how their choices impact their house, their family, their neighbors, etc. The more time the PC spends, and the more folks they involve, the bigger a deal it should be.

Have the player record their Preparation and its source, like "2 Preparation (laying in extra stores for winter)." Preparation lasts until it is spent, until it no longer applies or makes sense, or until the PC Bolsters again.

Players usually spend Preparation on 2d6 rolls for moves, but they can spend it on any damage rolls, rolls for Surplus, or even Die of Fate rolls—as long as everyone agrees that the efforts involved with Bolstering would apply to the roll.

If it's unclear whether the player's efforts could apply to a given roll, discuss it with the table. Be generous and don't try to cheat the player out of the benefit of their efforts, but at the same time, don't let anyone be a weasel. If they Bolstered by sparring and exercising for a week, don't let them spend their Preparation on a Die of Fate roll for the weather, even if they say "I think Tor would be pleased with my efforts." When in doubt, poll the table. If anyone objects, the Preparation can't be spent.

The PCs are planning a bear hunt to feed the village through winter. Before they go, Blodwen wants to do a rite, to ask Danu for protection and forgiveness for killing the bears. She just intends to add color, but Rhianna says "Seeking the favor of the gods? That's Bolster, right?"

It's only Bolster if Blodwen dedicates a week or so to the ceremony. Vahid points out that a week's delay won't make much of a difference. "And it's not like folks are going to begrudge us these rites. Not if they want to eat." Fair enough.

I ask Blodwen what the rite looks like. "We isolate ourselves for a few days, in silence and fasting. The night before the hunt, we go down to the Stream to wash away our guilt in the cold water." Neat! And I say that each PC who participates (plus Rhianna's crew as a whole) holds 1 Preparation, to spend as they wish on the upcoming hunt.

After suffering a nasty burn, Vahid spends a few weeks studying the now-visible runes on his "richly woven rug" arcanum, and meditating upon it.

The last step to unlocking the rug is to let himself be burned by a terrible flame, without crying out. He'll be Defying Danger, for sure.

"I've been getting ready for this for like a month," says Vahid. "Isn't that Bolster?" Nope. That time was spent meeting one of the arcanum's requirements. Bolster will require another week spent making preparations. "Yeah, sure, let's do that."

He talks to Blodwen, who agrees to be there when he does this and dress his wounds. Then he spends a few days practicing self-control with his hearth fire, getting lots of little burns. I have Maire stop by and get all worried, but he deflects her concerns for now.

At week's end, Vahid has 1 Preparation. He and Blodwen build a bonfire by the Stream, and Vahid walks through it, trying to not cry out. He rolls +CON to Defy Danger, gets a 6, and happily spends his Preparation to make it a 7. He's badly burnt and will have some lasting scars, but he masters his fear and unlocks the arcanum.