BitD p97 says “When you send a cohort to achieve a goal, roll their quality to see how it goes.”
Is this meant to be an action roll (with position and effect), or a fortune-roll-with-loss-possible? I’m pretty sure, from hints on that page, that it’s meant to be an action roll (because e.g. otherwise how can Weakened’s “reduced effect” matter). That right?
I would treat it like an action roll.
Don’t make a fortune roll when an action roll is better. Use a fortune roll to disclaim decision making. Are there Bluecoats on patrol right now? maybe roll the district’s Safety & Security to find out. Does it rain tonight? maybe roll the chance of rain to find out
It’s worth noting though that you might roll their quality for a fortune roll too, but it would be situational as usual; cohorts don’t get special considerations with regards to the position or effect
I’d say it’s meant to be an Action roll, yes.
Generally I treat things the cohort does as action rolls while rolls I make as the gm to see how the team acts and feels (are they clanish and reject outsiders or do the welcome them for example) as a fortune roll.