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The Gravewalker archetype gains an ability called the 'Aura of Desecration,' replacing their first-level Hex. The wording of it is the Gravewalker 'can create at 20-foot-radius aura of evil power,' and then there are associated effects.
Is the aura always inherently on? The ability doesn't describe a means of turning it on or off, but the description (which, to emphasize, says 'can create') doesn't suggest that the Gravewalker is constantly broadcasting it.
Bump and an additional note to consider... some of the Gravewalker's other abilities suggest that they assume the aura is on (but without including phrases like 'if the aura is active'). Any thoughts?
Just looking for precedent, I glanced at paladins since they have a number of active auras. Each aura included this caveat.
This ability functions only while the paladin is conscious, not if she is unconscious or dead.
So I'd guess the witch aura followed similar rules. It's considered active unless the PC is unconscious or dead.
Houserule-wise, I'd say auras could be suppressed like SR, with a standard action, and reactivated as a free action, but I can't find much in the way of RAW to support this. Monster auras can be activated as a free action (looking at the Fear Aura ability in the Bestiary), but I don't see the action cost for deactivation.
Houserule-wise, I'd say auras could be suppressed like SR, with a standard action, and reactivated as a free action, but I can't find much in the way of RAW to support this. Monster auras can be activated as a free action (looking at the Fear Aura ability in the Bestiary), but I don't see the action cost for deactivation.
I've considered a house rule like this one myself, actually, unless I heard official word otherwise. Fact of the matter is, for playability purposes, how many good adventuring groups are going to want to travel with someone whose very presence buffs the undead they're likely to be fighting?
(But then, of course, some Witch abilities are obviously geared for evil character use. I just hate to think an Archetype would necessarily be one of them.)