a combat initiative check uses the agility characteristic, players characters by the RAW are in a neutral stance so they use blue characteristic dice to make the check. creatures however have default stances, so do creatures make the initiative check using the relevant combination of stance die and characteristic die?

yes they do, by default monsters roll their full stance dice for initiative

Can't the character be in a non-neutral stance at fighting start ? what happen if I am in defensive stance and roll delay ?

New Zombie said:

I think common sense suggests NPCs also just roll characteristic dice. I don't see a reason why they shouldn't. It's just another of those things FFG didn't go into specifics with. It's up to the GM.

NPCs roll stance dice for initiative.

PCs can occasionally, when allowed by GM, use stance dice. I occasionally allow 1 stance, when roleplayed, in "story mode" which can transition to initiative/combat.

If you roll a delay on initiative, the GM places recharge tokens on an action card of their choice like normal. It means that action card cannot be used at the start of combat.

dvang said:

Also, as normal, the GM could choose to lower the initiative by 1 if a delay occurs.
For creatures I roll all stance dice for initiative and I allow the players to be one step into a stance in "story mode" if they roleplay their temprament. This depends on the situation, if the players are not expecting an attack and are just traveling I would not allow them to be in a stance as traveling is a very "neutral" thing to do, but a Thug that is drinking at a tavern and has a role playing reason to be reckless can roll a reckless die for initiative when initiating a tavern brawl.