An activity might be more difficult than normal because of an affliction you suffer, or it might be easier than usual because you’re getting aid from someone else. When making attribute rolls, the influence of other factors that might affect the outcome of an action is represented by additional modifiers called boons and banes.
A boon is an advantageous circumstance that improves your chance of success. For each boon that applies, you roll a boon die, which is a d6. You then add the highest number rolled on any one of the boons to your attribute roll.
A bane is a disadvantage that reduces your chance of success. For each bane that applies, you roll a bane die, which is a d6. You then subtract the highest number rolled on any one of the banes from your attribute roll.
Boons and banes cancel each other out on a one-for-one basis before any boon or bane dice are rolled. If you have 2 boons and 1 bane for the activity you attempt, you roll with 1 boon. If you have 1 boon and 3 banes, you roll with 2 banes.
You count boons and banes separately only if they come from different sources. If one of your abilities grants you 1 boon and a different one grants you 1 boon, you roll with 2 boons. But if you have 1 boon from a specific spell and the same spell is cast on you a second time before the first one ends, you still have only 1 boon. Similarly, you might become poisoned from an arrow that struck you and then become Strength impaired by a diabolical spell. You would therefore make Strength rolls with 2 banes, one from the poisoned affliction, and the other from the impaired affliction. See Afflictions for more information about how these states work.