OK, spinning off from the "Magic outpacing mundane" thread (specifically the problem about mundanes slipping an astral tail that they may not be aware of), I began to wonder how distinctive mundane auras would be to the astral pursuer, particularly in a crowded public place where they are criss-crossing through a crowd of other mundanes many perhaps with similar auras.
Specifically, I am trying to fathom what bonuses/penalties would apply to the pursuer's perception test if the mundane were to try and slip a potential astral tail using Shadowing or Infiltration.
1) How distinguishable is the aura of one mundane from another, particularly in a crowded area such as a mall or subway station? Would all the auras not sort of blur into each other and all this glowing pulsing moving mass hurt the astral sight of the pursuer? How many people in the crowd might have a similar aura to the mundane target that might confuse the pursuer?
2) Would you give the astral pursuer any bonuses or penalties for pursuing the unique and much brighter aura of an awakened character, or (providing enough hits on the initial Assensing test) the distinctive darkened aura of a low essence character?
3) How malleable is a mundane aura? Could the target sniff some novacoke or think murderous thoughts about some one they hate as a method of changing their aura and thereby reduce a potential astral pursuer's DP?