Flashbacks

Sometimes, the PCs get into the field and a player realizes that they should have done something before they left. Let simple things go with, "Yeah, sure, of course." For more involved activities, consider playing it out as a flashback. Frame a scene in the past and play it out normally, with moves and rolls and such. When the scene is done, jump back to "now."

The key thing about flashbacks is that they shouldn't contradict or nullify anything that's happened "on screen" already. For example, if the PCs have already gotten lost trying to follow some tracks, don't let them flashback to borrow a bloodhound.

It's your call whether to allow a flashback, keeping your principles in mind. When in doubt, ask the table at large for their opinion.

While out on the bear hunt, Blodwen realizes that she'd really like to have borrowed one of the horse's moves, "Sniff out danger on the wind." She asks if she could have done that.

Blodwen can calm animals with a touch and they generally love her, but these horses are rather nervous, so this isn't a sure thing. I decide to do a flashback: "Okay… it's back this morning, before you all left. You're in the stable, the horses are still sleeping. Which one do you wake up, and how?"

"Oh, Fflur, I think. She's the more sensible. I put my hand on her nose and whisper her name, and offer her a little handful of barley." Fflur munches and nuzzles Blodwen's hand, asking for more. "I need a favor first, old friend. I'm going out in the Wood today, and I could use your sense of smell. Can you lend that to me?"

That's Persuade, but Fflur's instinct is "to panic," so it might not be easy. Blodwen rolls +CHA and gets a 7-9: "Fflur's like, 'But, how will I know if something bad is nearby?' You'll need to give Fflur some concrete assurance."

"Oh, sure. I remind her that she'll be safe in the stable all day, and I weave her a protective talisman. Does that work?" Sure it does. Fflur agrees. Blodwen updates her notes, and we jump back to right now, in the Woods. "I want to sniff the wind for danger," says Blodwen. And away we go!