Aspect Checks are the primary way most actions are resolved. Whether you're trying to sneak past a guard, decipher a magical inscription, hit something with a weapon, or climb a slippery cliff, you'll roll a number of d4s based on your character’s relevant Aspect.

To perform a typical Aspect Check:

• Tell the GM what you want to do and how
• You or the GM will identify the Aspect being used (e.g., Agility for climbing, Insight for investigation)
• Roll a number of d4s equal to that Aspect’s value
• Add up the total

The GM provides a Challenge Rating (CR). If your total equals or exceeds the CR, you succeed.

If your Aspect value is 0 or lower, you cannot initiate a check using that Aspect. [Note that some game rules, such as Exhaustion may reduce the number of d4s you would normally roll.]

However, if the GM calls for a roll using that Aspect, you always roll at least 1d4.

Example: You try to examine a scene, but your Insight is 0. You can't initiate the action. However, the GM may call for an Insight roll — you’d still roll 1d4 even with no bonus.

Checks performed on your turn follow the normal action rules:

• Subtract your Action Load from the Aspect value
• If the result is still positive, you can roll
• Add 1 to your Action Load for this action

Checks outside your turn (such as saving throws or passive checks) usually ignore Action Load, unless the GM rules otherwise or some other rule (such as a Condition) applies.

A higher roll may yield better results, such as:

• Climbing faster
• Finding bonus details
• Impressing more onlookers

Likewise, failure might be partial, costly, or dangerous — at the GM’s discretion. Success and failure should always be narratively meaningful.

Multiple characters may work together:

• Each player rolls separately
• GM chooses a resolution method:
  • Highest roll
  • Combined total
  • Flat bonus per helper (e.g., +2)

Some Team Actions allow players to spend d4s on another's turn to assist more directly (see 🤝 Team Actions).