Multiple Attempts

If a character fails the first attempt at an uncontested task, they can keep trying, adding the original total, minus the original Difference to the subsequent roll.

The original Difficulty total stands for all subsequent attempts, unless there is reason to assume the conditions have changed.

Example: Fink the thief is trying to pick a lock. The DD = 24, and Fink rolls a 16. He tries again, adding his roll (16) minus the amount he failed by (8) for a Roll+8. He rolls a 12 for a total of 20. Still fails, but he now adds 16 (20-4) to his third attempt.

So yes, if the Task Roll is less than half of the DD, the next roll will be at a penalty. You can screw up and make it worse.

Multiple tries must be reasonably subsequent, else the character starts over.

This rule does not apply to contested tasks.