You can attempt to assist another creature with a test they make, provided you have a skill that applies to the test, the other creature isn’t using that same skill on the test, and you can describe how your character helps to the Director’s satisfaction. In other words, your attempt to help has to make sense, and you have to bring some useful expertise to the table. Helping another creature sneak by shouting encouragement at them isn’t going to make them stealthier.
When you attempt to assist another creature, make a test using the skill you choose, and using a characteristic chosen by the Director based on the activity you use to help. The outcome of that test determines the bonus applied to the test you’re assisting:
- ≤11: You get in the way or make things worse. The creature takes a bane on their test.
- 12-16: Your help grants the other creature an edge on their test.
- 17+: Your help gives the other creature a double edge on their test.
For example, when an ally tries to pick a jailer’s pocket, you might attempt to assist by using the Flirt skill to distract the jailer. The Director accepts this, and asks you to make a Presence test using Flirt. The outcome of that test determines the bonus you provide to the other hero’s Agility test to pick the jailer’s pocket—or whether you fumble the distraction and potentially draw attention to the attempt.