Setup Phase

When the GM announces the start of an Encounter, the Setup Phase begins. If neither side has a clear edge of surprise, the game proceeds to the Main Phase with no Test.

If NPCs have the jump on the Adventurers, the Adventurers must each make an Artifice Test:

• [..6] The Adventurer gains a stack of Surprised.
• [7..9] No effect.
• [10..] The Adventurer can give another Adventurer they can see or hear an Advantage to this Test, potentially turning a Fail into a Pass.

If the Adventurers have the jump on NPCs, the Adventurers each make an Artifice Test:

• [..6] No effect.
• [7..9] The GM must assign a stack of Surprised to an NPC.
• [10..] The Adventurer can assign a stack of Surprised to an NPC.