The Mystical Clapper: Turning Auras Off and On

[Lauric]

So, can Auras be turned off and on?

For instance, a Rogue Wizard with B6 Inconspicuous is going to have trouble blending into a crowd if he's broadcasting waves of paralyzing terror.

And to take an example from fiction, Sauron probably had Aura of Malevolence, but he was able to keep it in check and pull the wool over the eyes of those Elf Smiths cranking out Dinguses of Power in Second Age Middle Earth...

What do people think?

[Angaros]

Depends on the character concept first and foremost (at least IMO). If the trait is supposed to be some sort of innate quality that the character emits whether he likes it or not, it probably can't be turned off. Unless you've got spells to help you. And that's what Sauron was using I suppose. But if the aura somehow is linked to a feature of the character that can be disguised, hidden or at least toned down, then why not? I mean if people are scared of the character because of his nasty tatoos, his strange hair and terrifying demeanor then this could be hidden or at least supressed by disguising and covering the character.

What is it about your rogue wizard that makes people fear him? Is it just his presence -- that cold stare, low and raspy voice and an untangible smell of ... death? Or is it more than that? They way he moves, his choice of words (subtle threats in every sentence) and his incredible self-confidence? Again, some things can be hidden, some things can be countered and some things you just run away from. Screaming. The trait is just a generic label. What it actually means for your character is up to you to decide. When you have an answer for that question, you probably know whether the aura can be turned off or not.

[Ozark Tim]

I think there are two different kinds of auras in BW, the Trait auras and the aura that anyone has which can be read. Your innate aura cannot be turned off, it can be obscured by the 'obscure aura' trait but that isn't off/on either.

The trait auras, according to what I am seeing in the book, are permanently 'on'. In fact, Aura of Malevolence reads:

"This character is evil, and everyone knows it. Little children run away crying, dogs bark maniacally..." Sure sounds like he projects the aura whether liking it or not.

[Enlil]

Sauron would presumably have a seperate trait that let him hide his other trait - he eventually lost the ability to appear in a fair form, anyway :o

I do think it mainly depends on the character concept. And the whole social contract - if the GM or group doesn't buy it, it shouldn't fly.

Christian

[Kublai]

My longest-standing BW character had Aura of Fear. He could turn it on and off at will, sort of like a super power.