Sneak
Sneaking is an invaluable skill in a Hunter's arsenal. When sneaking, a Hunter remains hidden until an event or action potentially reveals their presence. The Overseer is the arbiter of what circumstances could reveal a Hunter in stealth.
Amy carefully makes her way through the shadows of the crypt, hoping to avoid the restless spirits. Suddenly, a floorboard creaks alarmingly beneath her foot. Uh oh...
The capabilities and limitations of an opponent also factor into the effectiveness of sneaking. A light flickering on won't betray a Hunter to a blind Horror.
If something happens that might reveal a Hunter, they can attempt a sneak check to stay hidden. Sneak checks involve a Dexterity roll contested by an opponent's Awareness.
In more general situations like blending into a crowd, the Overseer can set a Difficulty Threshold for the sneak check, rather than having it opposed. Regardless, certain actions, like clumsily crashing through a ceiling during a villain's speech, will instantly end a Hunter's stealth without a check.
Group Sneak Encounters
When multiple Hunters try to sneak through the same scene together, each Hunter attempting to remain hidden makes a sneak check against the DT set by the Overseer. Count the number of successful checks and failed checks. The group succeeds together if successes outnumber failures, and fails together if failures equal or outnumber successes.
A critical success counts as two successes for this total. A critical failure counts as two failures. The Overseer should still use the individual rolls to shape the fiction, especially when one Hunter's brilliant timing or awful luck explains how the whole group slipped through or got exposed.
Should a sneak check fail, the implications can vary based on the situation. In some cases, failing could mean a swift and unexpected confrontation with a Horror. In others, it could lead to a tense social interaction. The consequences of a failed sneak check should always be meaningful and drive the story forward, keeping the players engaged.
The Overseer's role is to dynamically adapt the rules to their group's unique circumstances. If a Hunter, for instance, dons a suit adorned with bells to ward off spirits, the Overseer might require a sneak check whenever the Hunter moves or when a gust of wind chimes the bells.