Excerpt from

“Aurorae Effect Overview” [the Journal of Augmentation Research]

… Human Augments receive their abilities by interacting with an Aurorae Effect. More commonly referred to as Aurora Portals, these shimmering curtains of energy appear at seemingly random intervals and random locations. The portals are not transparent and can be avoided or walked around like any obstacle. Nothing prevents passage from either direction. Objects propelled through the interface are not affected. Animals do not seem to be aware of the portal interface, ignoring them or passing through them with no discernible effect. Only human beings have received Augmentation.

In over 90% of cases a measurable amount of time in excess of that expected for the transition will occur. No pattern to the time interval effect has been determined at this point, but there is always some variation. There is no compulsion to enter a portal and in over 95% of cases an individual passing the threshold experiences no change. Very rare cases have been documented where an individual crossing the threshold does not emerge from the portal at all.

Aurora Portals

All Aurora Portals manifest as translucent, shimmering curtains of multiple colors and/or shades of one color. Some also exhibit additional physical characteristics such as specific sounds or scents. Several consistent variations have been identified and categorized based on these characteristics. Examples of the more popular North American names associated with the Aurora Portals and their characteristics are listed below. A complete list of the currently catalogued Aurorae Effects may be found in Appendix 2. Other culture-appropriate names are common and known correspondences may be found in Appendix 3.