Talk:Aura/@comment-10390252-20130907215527

I mentioned this on the Ruby page but it has a place here too. Why didn't Ruby use her Flash Step/Teleport to get away from the Deathstalker? Maybe that's the proof that it is an aura-based ability and that aura abilities require conscious activation and control. Because Ruby was scared and focussed on not getting skewered (and, later, desperately trying to free herself from the Nevermore's feather-spear) she couldn't focus her mind enough to use her aura.

If my theory is right, then this could be an interesting way to limit the use of aura as an all-purpose get-out clause. Under the right circumstances, our heroes and heroines are close-to-invulnerable and have massively boosted strength, speed and healing but only if they're focussed enough. Being young and only half-trained, they can and are sometimes unable to make use of this power because of strong emotions or distractions.

Lessons at Beacon might include developing the mental focus and the ability to overcome your emotional responses required to snap on your aura even in the middle of a life-or-death fight.