Check the Encountering a Card - Overview section linked here. In brief, you start the encounter by reading the card, then go through all of the following steps that apply in order: Apply Any Effects That Happen When You Encounter a Card, Apply Any Evasion Effects, Villain Step: Attempt to Guard Distant Locations, Apply Any Effects That Happen Before Acting, Attempt the Check, Attempt the Next Check, If Needed, Apply Any Effects That Happen After Acting, Resolve the Encounter, Avenge the Encounter, Villain Step: If You Defeated a Villain, Close the Villain's Location, Villain Step: Determine Whether the Villain Escapes, Villain Step: If the Villain Has Nowhere to Escape to, You Win!