How to RP your Aura of Despair 101

[fashionisdanger]

Hey guys! Just wondering how I should manage it.

Is it something anybody can feel, or just the hostiles?
What do they exactly feel?
Shall I add something on my description once I have it (RP guidelines)?
Can I (the owner of it) feel it?
Can I control it?

[Considerate_]

A very good question Fashionisdanger, here's my take on it

First, here's the ability description:

Aura of Despair (Su)
Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of him to take a -2 penalty on all saving throws.

As such, I would say that the malign aura is able to be felt by all, but the true brunt of the burden is only laid upon those the Blackguard consider his or her enemies.

Personally, I would avoid RPing the ability in the extent that I tell others how their character interpret it. If you meet another blackguard, they might welcome the sensation of another truly depraved individual... would seem odd if I started RPing that they felt uncomfortable.

The owner is no doubt aware of the aura, but it doesn't effect her or him.

The owner can control who feels the brunt of the aura, as it should only be their enemies. I don't think they can suppress it entirely though, and most likely it wouldn't be viewed favourable by whatever dark entity gave them that gift.


That's my take on it, I hope you found it helpful!

[Xanfyrst]

Nothing says it's constantly active or whether it can be moderated by the character, in PnP. (game-mechanics is something entirely different)

So, I've always viewed it as the Force from Star Wars. If you're close enough you can feel it and it gets stronger the closer you get. But just as with someone like Obiwan and Palpatine, they can moderate it, even "cancel" it at will.

[Hoihe]

And on enemy, I wonder.. would those who wish ill secretly also feel it? Since they're.. enemies.

[Larzs]

You can control it. Nothing prevents this ill will and sense of dread being "blocked" by another.

You can hotkey it and activate/deactivate it as wanted(Pretty sure you can anyways). So if can just turn it off when around goodies and try and blend in(personally I never bothered and don't RP forcing this ill despair on others...I'd be strung up and hanged quite quickly) I have been called a paladin just for the "Persistent Aura" Buff Icon in party chats in Events.

I have always hoped they would put in this and this in. Haha I have seen it elsewhere

Though speaking of Aura of Despair, I have had on many times had it dispelled(pretty sure...been a long time >.<) and the Wiki states it as a Supernatural Ability and it can't be dispelled. Supernatural
Is there any quick fix to make it so it can't be dispelled? Or is this something hard-coded in?

[Xanfyrst]

I thought that one got fixed a good while ago?

[Larzs]

I thought that one got fixed a good while ago?

Maybe it did...I guess I really haven't been paying attention enough in the few times I have been back running around. But back when I was playing more it happened quite a bit, if so...ignore that.

[Simian]

When it comes to the Aura, best thing to do is: "See nothing, feel nothing." (See no icon, and pretend in character that your saves have not been lowered.) If you absolutely must role-play some reaction, have your character feel slightly less lucky whenever they around someone with the said aura.

[Hitman Hard]

Better to not mention the aura on your biography, it may lead to some unplanned pvp.

[Larzs]

Game Mechanics the Aura's -2 Saves only effects Hostile creatures to the Blackguard. So that BG spouting angry hate to the people around the Campfire wouldn't make them(mechanics wise) feel any sicker and unwell. Just as much as the blackguard dressed on innocently hiding amongst them would make them feel any ill.

Only way is to toggle that is to flip on the hate if you want that -2 on people and RP it out...and hope no one just stabs you. >.<

I never really got into much PvP, but I was also worried to a some metagaming that if I was hostile to someone...and sneaking around going after someone and I was with in 10 feet and they see the -2 to Saves...and there isn't a damn person around them...

Better to not mention the aura on your biography, it may lead to some unplanned pvp.

If one wants to...they can. All about the RP, just cause you are evil doesn't mean you can just chop off that player's head...they got rules for that kind of grieving.

[Hitman Hard]

[quote="Larzs"]
I never really got into much PvP, but I was also worried to a some metagaming that if I was hostile to someone...and sneaking around going after someone and I was with in 10 feet and they see the -2 to Saves...and there isn't a damn person around them...

Assuming there was hostile Rp leading up to you sneaking around, wouldn't the person be on his guard? And if your giving him -2 to saves, wouldn't he feel the aura of another nearby? Sorry, but your flipping the metagame switch for no reason here.

[Larzs]

Assuming there was hostile Rp leading up to you sneaking around, wouldn't the person be on his guard? And if your giving him -2 to saves, wouldn't he feel the aura of another nearby? Sorry, but your flipping the metagame switch for no reason here.

Well...I was an assassin, a blackguard/assassin of Bane...and you aren't gonna know I am coming for you, there might be RP leading up but the actually attack won't be until later. When you think your are safe...or after you have rested and at your weakest...for me, there was no honor preparation, no casting of spells or organizing gear...just you waking up with a blade in your gut. Since my focus was foiled by a damn Level 1 Spell any caster had...

I mean if it ever came to that, I would get a courtesy OOC warning(which usually would back fire with them being buffed to the nines the whole time) which is probably why I never really got into it. With the rules, the warnings and such...I usually can't win that way and I knew it.

[Rainbow Prism]

I see Aura of Despair as the antipod of Aura of Courage. Just the same way you can feel paladin just by his presence (or his innate goodness), the same way characters can feel blackguard's maliciousness. It is a pact of sort, two-edged sword which will cut you if you will relax too much.

Actually, the worst ability if you want to keep coming to campfire in FAI. A good starter of jokes at campfire in Zhentilar dungeon.

[Baboonicorn]

When it comes to the Aura, best thing to do is: "See nothing, feel nothing." (See no icon, and pretend in character that your saves have not been lowered.) If you absolutely must role-play some reaction, have your character feel slightly less lucky whenever they around someone with the said aura.

Exactly - just because the player knows that their saving throws are being reduced, the character would not have that OOC information.

Even if a character has the experience to detect an evil aura, they would be unaware of the effect, if any, that it was having, apart from possibly imparting a faint sense of discomfort or uneasiness.

[dzidek1983]

i take the aura as a personality trait.. you can RP it in various ways... like normal physical ugliness so the enemys is kinda disturbed by your presence, you can also RP being a real "bad guy" intimidating people around you with your unpleasant evil attitude