Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-11188061-20131022161224/@comment-11188061-20131023021703

Yeah, I noticed. It just happened that I needed inspiration (and no stupid writer's block) and some practice in writing, so I just jot down the common adventure plot. And since RWBY so far had an incredibly typical plot, the backstory and past should likely be the same as well.

Near the end of the tale, I deduce that - and perhaps the protagonists had also been helping worthy people selflessly to unlock their Auras (new ally getto!) - they were trying to unlock as many people's Auras as possible.

Those who already had their Auras unlocked were handed down the proper knowledge and ritual required to unlock them, the newly unlocked Aura user would then do the same, and the chain continues. For this first time in centuries, Aura is no longer a privilege or birthright created solely for the nobles (those with strong Aura). In the face of imminent doom, Aura was no longer a secret.

Their timing window however, is too short. Unlocking Aura mentally exhausts the Aura user, and the process could not be done speedily, not even if they had weeks to do so (and like, The Genius would not wait that long).

Therefoer Dust comes into play here. These are objects that, with the proper knowledge, can be used by anyone, commoners or nobles, as long as they're living beings with souls. As mentioned by the current RWBY history, Dust is the turning point. Dust allowed every single men to wield a power comparable to an Auras, and while the protagonists were storming The Genius' hideout, the people stalled long enough against the Grimm's endless numbers to finally achieve victory.

So to answer your question, over time the usage of Aura has become more and more common, and while the knowledge was eventually restricted again (to Hunter and Huntresses only), it makes sense that the usage and knowledge of Aura have only been refined far better than it was before, thanks to technology advancement.

Also, now there are no longer restrictions to whom can learn to use their Aura, and everyone is welcomed to learn and unlock it. If Jaune had been to combat school he surely would have his unlocked, too.

However, I am unsure about Phyrra's technique. Her background thus far is a mystery, and she had always given the vibe that she's from a secret tribe or something. Her Aura unlocking technique may be different from what is common in the current timeline.

You've answered your own question. In addition to the usual animal souls (which most of them are trapped in Dust form to serve as pure energy, except for the most powerful ones), there were also the human (faunus included) souls that she has captured over time - first in small numbers, then trickling into outright slaughter. The exceptional souls - the once greatest warriors in Vytal, and after conversion the most elite of Grimm Generals - she kept to herself, thus transforming herself into near invincible entity.

I should probably remind you that she of course did not absorb all of the souls unto herself. The majority of it most likely are trapped in the form of pure or condensed energy, that is to say, in Dust form.

I'm not sure about the faunus' origin. As of now, there's too little information. However, your idea is certainly interesting. If the faunus had come later, then it still would make sense that the humans would discriminate against them and seeing themselves as superior (first come first serve, yes we are assholes). Though given our own history, the only reason we need to go to war is being different. Who comes first doesn't really matter.

Perhaps. Note that while the noble I mentioned above did save mankind, he was probably a utilitarian who isn't afraid to make sacrifices (hence cooperating with The Genius) to maximize the benefit to mankind. Hence, it makes sense that he might have set up a motion of plans - including 'The Position' - to defend mankind against the Grimm after his death. As you may have noticed, the one person we know who holds 'The Position' gives of the vibes of a sacrificial lamb, so...

Of course, 'The Position' may have been set up by the protagonists themselves. However time distorts all things, and eventually it diminished in both significance, value and visibility to most people. Hell, you may even view it like The Wall in Game of Thrones, where overtime it simply diminished in value in the eyes of people, until it was nothing more but a ceremony.

In the end, we still do not know exactly what those who hold 'The Position' is doing, so these are all just speculations.