“When asked about her past, AURA informs you that she was born Aurelia Minerva Evie Glimmershine of Anchoril, Lantan, the third daughter within a large gnomish family of two elder sisters, a younger brother, and twin baby siblings. From a young age, Aura displayed a natural talent in invention and craft and was inducted by her parents to the Sambaran College of Artificers. Quickly recognized as a prodigy by her tutors, she was recommended to the most prestigous and specialized academies of Lantan to be taught the nation’s most respected disciplines. Aura’s interest in magic, sparked by her brother’s innate arcane talents, also drove her to learn the art of runecasting. After completing her studies and reaching adulthood, Aura left home with the blessing of her family to explore various lands and pursue knowledge in the outer world. During one such travel to the Far East, she was shipwrecked and struck with amnesia, awakening under the shelter of a priestess in Mikedono, one of the major islands of Kozakura. She remained in Kozakura, adapting to the foreign culture as her memories gradually returned over the years before her guardian’s death led her to leave Kozakura and return to Faerûn. During her time in Athkatla she gained the goodwill of the Jansen family and became a guest in their household, where she has continued to practice her craft. Despite this, she is eager to be back on the road, where her talents can be put to more practical uses.”

Aura can be befriended by any protagonist so long as the party’s reputation exceeds 8. To begin a romance with Aura, the protagonist must fulfill the following prerequisites:

• Female
• Non-evil
• 12+ Intelligence
• 10+ Charisma
• 9+ Reputation

The player must acknowledge a past history and a potential ‘closeness’ with her during initial interactions to be eligible for a romance.

If the party reputation falls below 9, both friendship and romance dialogues are halted until reputation exceeds the threshold again.

Should neither Aura or Imoen be in a romance by Throne of Bhaal, they will initiate a semi-romantic dialogue branch with each other.

Regardless of whether or not Aura is in the party, the workshop is available as an area where magical items may be created or upgraded. In order to upgrade an item, the appropriate schematic must be found first. A few schematics are available from the start, while others must be discovered throughout Amn.

In Throne of Bhaal, the Pocket Plane acts as a substitute for the workshop.

The automaton is also able to be upgraded while in the workshop at the cost of resources, which may include gold, magical items, scrolls, or gems. Basic upgrades include the following:

• Augmented Blade – add an enchantment level to the automaton’s attack
• Weapon of Impact – enhance the automaton’s crushing weapon damage and stun chance
• Keen Edge – enhance the automaton’s slashing weapon damage and critical chance
• Reinforced Plating – enhance the automaton’s armor class and physical resistance
• Anti-Magic Shielding – enhance the automaton’s saving throws and magic resistance
• Self-Repairing Thaumaturgy – enhance the automaton’s hit points and regeneration rate

Additionally, special upgrades may be discovered and applied. These include the Teleport, Golem Haste, Golem Slow and Gas Cloud abilities, as well as others.

Soon after Aura joins the party, she will gain access to the Create Autocannon ability. With this ability, an artificer may attempt to create a Lantanese Autocannon in the targeted location. The success of the ability is dependent on the artificer’s Set Traps skill. This autocannon will become active upon an enemy creature entering its range. The autocannon is immobile and attacks five times per round with fiery missiles dealing 1d3+1 damage per missile with a +6 enchantment. Automatons have a 5% chance per round of becoming charged, granting a +4 bonus to THAC0 and doubling their attacks per round for six seconds.

For each 15 points of Set Traps above 100 from the artificer, autocannons gain a +1 bonus to THAC0 and +5 bonus hit points. Once activated, autocannons last for two turns.

Aura begins with a single use of the ability per day, and does not gain more with levels. Instead, additional autocannons may be acquired at various stages of the game, allowing her to use the ability more often. A maximum of six uses per day is possible. While autocannons may not be upgraded in the same manner as automatons, certain items may modify them, from increasing their accuracy to changing their damage type.