Tasks

Tasks are challenges that require a coordinated sequence of actions to complete.

One or more players can perform tasks and spread across one or more rounds. Tasks should be used when overcoming a challenge cannot be accomplished by a single character performing a single action.

• LARGE VEHICLE MANEUVERS: During a sea battle, an attack on another vessel might require the coordination of turning the ship, adjusting the sails, and loading and firing a cannon.

• RITUAL CASTING: Ritual casting a spell can require the combined efforts of a group and may include constraints such as a specific location or environment and unique materials.

• CHASE ENCOUNTERS: A group of characters in pursuit of a fleeing target.

• COMPUTER HACKING: Penetrating a computer system might require overcoming a series of firewalls while combating intrusion detection programs.

• MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: Conducting a musical performance requires each character to play a different instrument.

• CRAFTING: Creating new assets or resources.

Defining Tasks

Defining a task is the host's responsibility with input from the group. Tasks fall into two categories.

• FIXED: A fixed task is limited to a fixed number of rounds. The success or failure of the task is achieved by accumulating successes or failures that exceed a fixed threshold (set by the host) before the number of rounds is completed. Fixed tasks can add tension to a scene by limiting players' time to complete the task. Examples of fixed tasks include finding and cracking a safe before a security shift change is complete or planting explosives on a bridge before an enemy convoy arrives.

• FLUID: A fluid task is divided across an uncertain number of rounds. The success or failure of the task is determined by accumulating successes and failures until the width between them exceeds a specified range. Fluid tasks are dynamic and unpredictable. Examples of fluid tasks include chases, dogfights, or hacking through multiple layers of a computer network.

Performing Tasks

The task begins like a typical encounter. Each player participating in the task states how their character contributes to it and performs a standard action roll. Individual consequences for each action are determined normally.

The host records the outcome of each player's action and adds it to the cumulative totals for the task. At the start of each round, the director narrates changes in the scene based on the overall task totals accumulated during the previous round. This helps advance the scene frame by frame as the task proceeds.

The task continues until it is complete. If the players decide to abandon the task or all player characters are incapacitated, the task automatically fails. If the task outcome is successful, the players get to narrate how the task is concluded. If the task outcome fails, the host narrates the conclusion.