In some series, for example one inspired by the works of Jane Austen, the characters’ fates are never determined by their prowess at external tasks. For such settings, omit this step, dropping all reference to it from the character sheet.

In other series, external actions provide complications that then drive the drama. The game breaks practical actions down into seven broad types. In this stage of character generation, you designate two of them as your Strong types and two as Weak. The rest are Middling.

Here’s what you can do with each of the Action Types:

• Enduring: You resist physical ill-effects of all sorts. Wins with this ability allow you to overcome, or at least reduce the impact of, exhaustion, injury, sleep-deprivation, hunger, poisoning, thirst, heat stroke and the like.
• Fighting: You overcome others in physical combat, and avoid injury in other dangerous athletic situations.
• Knowing: Your head buzzes with useful information. 
• Making: You build, craft, and repair physical objects.
• Moving: Under difficult circumstances, you run, climb, jump and swim and otherwise travel from place to place, over distances long and short.
• Talking: When seeking practical advantage from negotiations and other verbal interactions (as opposed to dramatic conflicts, where you seek emotional reward), your skill at reading and playing to other’s desires allows you to prevail.
• Sneaking: You’re good at skulking around, hiding items, concealing your activities and moving in a manner that minimizes the chances of observation.

Custom Action Types

You can create your own, narrower action type and make it one of your Strong types. Do this to make a clearer, more specific statement about your character. Strive for a one-word type name.

A custom type allows you to overlap several of the existing types, though only when the action directly relates to your specialty.

When you take a custom action type, three of the standard action types are treated as Weak types.

How You Do It

For each of your strong action types, write a short phrase (or single word) describing your specialty within the type. In a situation where it fits to describe yourself as employing your distinctive talent, you gain an additional advantage. Use specific detail; don’t just find a synonym for the broad category. Your GM may ask you to adjust an overly vague, broad, or dull description.

Descriptors distinguish main cast members from one another. If two players pick similar descriptors, negotiate to decide who keeps the current idea and who picks a new one.