Player Core
Chapter 8: Playing The Game
Making Choices
Source Player Core pg. 389
Throughout the game, the GM describes what's happening in the world and then asks the players, “So what do you do?” Exactly what you choose to do, and how the GM responds to those choices, builds a unique story experience. Every game is different, because you'll rarely, if ever, make the same decisions as another group of players. This is true for the GM as well—two GMs running the exact same adventure will put different emphasis and flourishes on the content.
Often, your choices have no immediate risk or consequences. If you're exploring a starship and come across an intersection, the GM asks, “Which way do you go?” You might choose to take the corridor to the right or left, or climb through the maintenance shaft overhead. Once your choice is made, the GM tells you what happens next. Down the line, that choice may impact what you encounter later in the game, but in many cases nothing dangerous happens immediately.
But sometimes what happens as a result of your choices is less than certain. In those cases, you'll attempt a check.
Often, your choices have no immediate risk or consequences. If you're exploring a starship and come across an intersection, the GM asks, “Which way do you go?” You might choose to take the corridor to the right or left, or climb through the maintenance shaft overhead. Once your choice is made, the GM tells you what happens next. Down the line, that choice may impact what you encounter later in the game, but in many cases nothing dangerous happens immediately.
But sometimes what happens as a result of your choices is less than certain. In those cases, you'll attempt a check.