FAQ 6
Contents
Applying to X-Project
Teams
The X-Men
What are the X-Men?
The X-Men are a team of mutants, brought together by Professor Charles Xavier, for the purpose of furthering human/mutant acceptance and integration by the following:
- 1) Reduce the threat of hostile mutants
- 2) Protect mutants from persecution and harm
- 3) Provide a visible pro-mutant humanitarian force by aiding with incidents such as disaster relief.
Are the X-Men Publicly Known?
No. Well, kind of. People who pay attention to the news would be aware of the existence of (often black-clad) mutants intervening in various crisis situations. There has been sufficient exposure to the media, either established on-camera or logically extrapolated, for their presence to have been caught on film numerous times. These mutants have not been established to the public as a single coordinated team. It seems most likely that they would be seen as volunteers in these various situations, or perhaps as part of other groups known to be working in the same locale. It is entirely possible that footage would be scrutinized on the Internet, and that connections might be made (ie, identifying physically distinctive mutants as having been present at multiple incidents) by individuals/bloggers/discussion groups/etc. To sum up, things that are not public knowledge: that they are a single team, that they're called "the X-Men", or that they have any connection to Xavier or his school. The existence of a mutant team is known by the world at large following media coverage of events such as the Seattle riots and the San Diego earthquake. However, the link between the team and the school is not known outside of a small, select group.
Things that are not public knowledge: that they are a single team, that they're called "the X-Men", or that they have any connection to Xavier or his school.
Who knows about the X-Men?
Within the school, the staff and students know of the existence of the X-Men as it is explained to them when they arrive. Non-team do not have access to the full details of X-Men missions, and sometimes for the sake of security those details are witheld.
Outside of the school the link between the team and the school is known only to a small, select group. This includes:
- X-Factor - they know of the team and their unpaid "girl Friday" is a full team member as well as other members of the agency having personal ties to a number of team members.
- President McKenna - as seen in X2, McKenna established a working relationship with the X-Men and Charles Xavier, and is aware of the dual nature of the school from Stryker's survelliance photographs.
- Val Cooper - as the President's voice in security matters, she was briefed as to the existence of the team in order to work with them.
- Fred Duncan - with former agent Dr. Madelyn Bartlet working at the school, an information exchange was opened up between the FBI and the team, in order to further both groups. The team has helped apprehend a number of mutant criminals, and the FBI has provided the team with information when needed. This relationship continues with the addition of Garrison Kane to the team, working with the FBI in his role as Canadian Mountie.
- Alpha Flight and the Canadian government - with several Alpha Flight members having been X-Men at one point or other, the Canadian government was made aware of the X-Men's existence and are wanting to use it as a model for a revamped team of their own.
- The Pack/The Reclaimed - having assisted in various X-Men missions and visited Nathan at the mansion, both groups are aware of the team.
- Friends and family - not every team member has told their family about their double life, but there is a significant proportion who have, and any trainee under the age of eighteen must have parental/guardian permission to join the team, thus requiring disclosure of the team's existence.
Do the students at the school know about the team?
New students are informed at the time of their enrollment of the existence of the X-Men and it would be up to them to choose to attend the school. Students are informed of situations that might impact on them (evacuation, kidnapping, missions where large numbers of X-Men are away/returning injured) except in cases where the details are highly sensitive (ie, matters of national security). In return, every student (and non-X-Man staff member who also have access to these notifications) is sworn to complete confidentiality regarding the team's activities - deliberate breach of that confidentiality will result in severe punishment, including potential expulsion/firing. And yes, they know that if the ground starts rumbling while playing basketball to get off the court.
Do the X-Men get paid?
Most of the X-Men characters have an income of some kind, be it from student grants/scholarships (frequently provided by the Institute), income provided by parents, wages as staff working for school, the Institute or Elpis, wages from outside employment (such as Garrison's job with the FBI) or personal wealth from an inheritance, previous occupations or some other means. All characters living in the mansion potentially receive free room and board, plus medical and educational resources provided by the Institute.
In the very rare case where an X-Man character is unable to receive any form of income, Charles will arrange a stipend to allow them to continue as part of the team - for tax purposes, it is labelled as an Institute grant. This has happened in the past, but was not widely known by many of the team unless specifically asked about.
Whether or not they accept the resources Charles makes available to them or whether they insist on making repayments, is entirely up to each individual, but all players are strongly encouraged to consider the issue of income when they are applying for and/or developing their characters. Charles, however, would never allow one of his students or team go without.
Who leads the X-Men?
Currently the X-Men do not have a set leader. At one point the X-Men were divided into set teams, each with a leader. The team was then brought condensed under the command of Scott Summers (Cyclops). However, when Scott left for the West Coast Annex in 2009, there was no longer a set team leader. Instead the team leader is dependant upon the mission at hand. For example, if there were a mission that took place in Canada, Garrison may be a good choice to lead due to his knowledge of the area. There is not a formal meeting that takes place to set a leader for most missions, just a certain character that naturally steps up into that role.
Who comes up with X-Men missions?
Anyone. This includes players who don't actually play X-Men - if you have an idea, pitch it. In situations where there hasn't been a mission for several months the mods may post a call for ideas, or develop something themselves, but this is the exception, rather than the rule.
X-Men Trainees
How can my character become an X-Man?
If your character is above eighteen, IC they can express interest in the team and discuss joining with the senior team members and Charles. OOC, if you want your character to join, it is up to you to arrange for the appropriate logs/IC comunications/etc. If a problem arises, you can consult with the mods, but you do not need mod permission to have your character become an X-Man. Generally the possibility will be covered as part of the applications process any way.
New X-Men usually take on a 'trainee' status. This involves a dark grey version of the movieverse X-Man uniform (no spandex!), and a temporary trainee code name, usually something less than flattering. Trainees generally do not go into combat, providing a support role. For those characters with appropriate previous experience in powers control, combat and working within a team, the trainee phase may be waived or reduced in duration.
Can anyone be an X-Man?
Generally, if your character is under seventeen, they cannot be an X-Man as it requires they undertake life and death circumstances. Also, if Charles decides that the character is not mental or physically able to join the team, they may be asked to rethink their decision. Charles is there to protect mutants and would not put them in harm’s way.
If your character is seventeen or has not yet graduated high school and wishes to join the team, they must have parental or guardian permission to become a trainee. An explanation of the trainee system for younger members can be found here.
How long must my character be a trainee? How do they get promoted to full X-Man?
It is the player's responsibility to progress their character through the trainee system. Check out the Trainee FAQ for further details. As long as a realistic time span and development is portrayed (i.e., your character doesn't blast through training in a week to become a full X-Man), development is entirely up to the player. IC, Charles Xavier discusses the possibility of promotion with senior team members and makes the final decision. The tags themselves are handed over by a team member with whom the trainee has a close relationship - a sort of mentor figure.
Why can't trainees go on missions?
Trainees are allowed to go on missions. What they're not allowed to do is be deliberately used in a combat or highly dangerous role. This is because IC it is hard to justify why a new recruit, only partially trained and frequently under age, would be thrown into a combat or dangerous situation without the COs looking negligent. However, trainees are frequently involved in missions in a number of roles: as part of their training, in an observation role; as communications, usually from a safe place; in emergencies, when the full team is unavailable, or when circumstances arise that the trainee cannot be kept out of combat; on smaller, 'safer' missions, such as retrieving new students; or in roles where their youth is an asset, such as certain undercover roles.
Players are asked to bear this in mind when volunteering for plots - it is their responsibility to ensure the role of their trainee makes sense in the context of the mission, and the load of justifying their presence does not fall to the plotrunner alone.
New Mutants
What are the New Mutants?
The New Mutants is a training program, based on a similar idea to Scouts, military cadets or Adventurers, established for the students at the school aged 14-18. In special circumstances where a student is in high school but is actually older than the other students, we go by their schooling 'age' so they don't miss out. Incorporating both the compulsory self-defence and powers training, it also encourages the students involved to work together as a team, and provide them with a group identity. Training exercises will include working in the Danger Room, under supervision and at safe levels and various field trips, outdoor exercises and potential community work. The New Mutants program is to be compulsory for a student's first year, and voluntary after that. (Note: Like self-defence and powers training, there is no need for the compulsory training to be shown on-camera if the player does not wish to do so; it only has to be understood that it's happening.)
There is no team 'captain', and each member is expected to pull his or her own weight in terms of group activities. As shown in the first outing, the staff will not enforce participation beyond attendance - it is up to the group to ensure everyone takes part. There is also a staff 'mentor' attached to the group, to assist and supervise them.
Uniforms: black pants/shorts, a bright yellow sweatshirt/t-shirt with 'Xavier Institute' on the breast, and a light black jacket with New Mutants in yellow on the breast and shoulder. Those with specific clothing needs have personalised versions.
Isn't the New Mutants just another version of the trainee X-Men?
The New Mutants is specifically not the X-Men trainee program. Students who have reached the age of 17 can choose to apply for a role as a trainee whether having been involved in the New Mutants or not. Being a New Mutant does not mean the character will ever be expected to automatically take the next step as an X-Man. The New Mutants program is designed to foster group identity and cooperation in a team-based setting for students, as well as prepare them with additional training in the event that they or the mansion are endangered.
What sort of missions can the New Mutants go on?
'Missions' could cover a range of activities, and include 'unofficial' situations where the New Mutants cooperate together to assist in minor or emergency situations where staff backup cannot be called in. The only restriction would be common sense - what would normally get a student in trouble for doing alone, for example, would largely result in the team getting in trouble if they did the same as a group, such as running off to get involved in a dangerous situation without notifying staff despite opportunity.
Possible New Mutant 'missions' include: cooperative survival training in the woods, community service-type activities in the local area, giving talks at local schools about being a young mutant, field trips, and assisting in local emergencies.
Why is the program needed?
With the changes to the school and student numbers reduced, Charles Xavier and the staff now have an ethical justification to give the students a more active training program, to ensure students are suitably prepared for the dangers of living in the mansion and to encourage team spirit and co-operation. Various incidents reflect the need for this - arguments on the journals, incidents of students being reckless and making rash decisions, and the isolation of some of the quieter students from their fellows, highlighted by the reduced numbers. The New Mutants program is suggested, with the stipulation that whilst they might use the Danger Room for training and be trained by X-Men, this is in no way a "baby X-Men" recruitment program, and students are not expected to become trainees when they are of age. The concept's focus is thus: to get together and train as a group, learn to cooperate with each other, both with powers and not, to act as a support group to each other when someone is veering into dangerous territory, to teach them responsibility and possibly get involved in the local community.
What about the NPC students? Are they involved?
As of the end of the 2009 school year, those NPC students remaining at the school opted out of the team, for the sake of making things easier IC.
Who comes up with missions/events?
Anyone - you don't even have to be a NM player to have a good idea and run it past the rest of the game.
X-Force
What is X-Force?
X-Force is an initiative started by Pete Wisdom, Remy LeBeau and Betsy Braddock in May 2006. Following the rescue of Wisdom's sister, he came to the conclusion that existing efforts by groups like the X-Men could only provide a certain level of change, and could not be used against threats with legal or national protection. In recruiting Remy and Betsy, the three possessed a combined intelligence net of significant reach, and the training in the blacker aspect of operations. Pete decided to take the fight to the doorsteps of those who operated outside of the X-Men's channels, using whatever methods they could to stop them, pre-emptively if necessary. Recruiting a number of former students and X-Men, the group is primarily investigative, using a variety of talents and resources to track down and deal with the weird, the occult and the ethically complicated.
Didn't Pete say he'd have someone sodomised by a gorilla if he heard them calling the group X-Force?
X-Force is the shorthand identifying term for the operative field team, first coined by Doug Ramsey. In the field, they are never referred to by any kind of group designation. Members of the team use codenames to maintain communications security, especially when working with other groups or individuals. Its use amongst the team is normally used either for convenience, or to separate initiatives between the legitimate cover work done by Snow Valley, and the actual intelligence work done in the field.
The nicknames "Trenchcoat Brigade" and "Junior Trenchcoats" were coined by Amanda Sefton and are solely for amusement value.
Why must my character be 18 before they can join?
IC, it's to avoid the knotty ethical issue of training a minor in blackops and espionage, including lethal force. OOC, it was part of the agreement when XF was created, to avoid the awkward situation of having players of Xavier's staff not respond badly to minors from the school potentially involved in lethal situations, plus avoid explaining why Charles Xavier, a highly ethical individual, would allow minor students to go off and do ethically dodgy things.
So X-Force is a killing squad?
Not at all. They're primarily espionage and research, using their unique skills to cover elements that their experience makes them especially suited for. There is a strong ethical difference in the operational philosophies between X-Force and the X-Men. X-Force is often put in situations where they must employ lethal measures solely based on their individual judgment of the situation at the time. While Remy, Pete and Betsy have no compunctions about using lethal measures, they avoid doing so when possible simply because needless deaths draw too much attention. Various members of X-Force are at different stages of acceptance on the willingness to kill if needed, and it is a regular source of reflection for the team.
Who knows about X-Force?
The students and non-X-Men staff of the school will be aware from various hints on personal journals that the Snow Valley think tank are not simply office workers. The degree of suspicion depends entirely on each character, although none will have IC confirmation of the team's existence or what the team actually does.
The X-Men and trainees who have access to the team's database will be aware of Betsy, Remy and Pete's respective backgrounds, and know they have some kind of operation going on. Charles, Storm and Cyclops had further details, as established by regular lunches between Storm and Remy to exchange information, but these were kept secure for the sake of school security. With the departure of Scott to the West Coast Annex and Ororo's transfer to X-Force, information is exchanged on a regular basis by various members of the teams. Individuals associated with members of X-Force will know what has been told them directly.
How does X-Force get its information?
Pete, Remy and Betsy were all trained intelligence operatives of one type or another prior to coming to Xavier's. In all three cases, each had a network of operatives to call on for intelligence. Under Pete's guidance, and later Remy's, a more formalized network was built and maintained through the school, adding the connections of individual staff members to their own efforts to expand their net. During Wisdom's feigned defection to the Hellfire Club, a great deal of the net was compromised, in order to establish Wisdom's credibility to them. Following those events, with Remy and Wisdom leaving the school and Betsy's return to England, what remains of that net was re-organised, and due to the lack of any trained intelligence personnel in the mansion, has once again been primarily arranged around Charles Xavier's contacts around the world.
When Wisdom launched Snow Valley, one of the first goals was to rebuild a new network using their contacts as the basis. Since then, the primary job of the staff of Snow Valley is maintaining and increasingly that intelligence net further. All three former agents have been training the other staff in intelligence gathering and operations, giving them a bureau of 11 full time operatives investing into the net.
Wanda Maximoff, Amanda and Illyana Rasputin have also been involved in developing a network of occult-type sources, via the internet, old contacts Amanda had in the magical community, and those known to Dr. Stephen Strange.
Can I have a character be both an X-Man and involved in X-Force?
No. The key to X-Force maintaining their ability to do what they do is that they are below the radar. The X-Men have been prominent enough in various missions (such as The Rictor Effect) that they are recognisable, plus they have had a working relationship with the US government that makes it problematic for them to intervene in politically charged situations.
This also goes for 'famous' characters. If your character is well-known to the media, it would be considered too risky for them to be part of X-Force without some kind of permanent disguise - too much media attention would break the cover of Snow Valley.
This isn't to say that sometimes individual members of one team can't work with the other, for a variety of reasons. X-Force might require certain powers/talents held by an X-Man, and vice versa. As long as steps are taken to avoid identification (and it doesn't happen too often!), the occasional 'guest starring role' in a plot is allowed.
OOC, one team is more than enough for plots.
How can my character join X-Force?
Your character's move to X-Force will need to be justified in terms of desire, skill and general usefulness to the team. Joining X-Force is a simple matter of pinging the current players and letting them know you're interested so you can work out with them as a whole the easiest and best way to have your character come into the group on screen.
X-Factor
What is X-Factor?
The X-Factor Investigative Agency is a private investigator firm centrally located in District X. X-Factor is a for hire agency to investigate anything from threats to missing persons. They are available to offer in-house protective services for those who may need them for a short time in response to threats from other individuals or groups and can provide bodyguard services as well. X-Factor is also there to act as a community resource for the District X neighborhood and a sort of information center. If individuals need help being directed to the correct people to help them with a situation X-Factor is there to direct them to Charles Xavier and his school, the Snow Valley Center, ELPIS, etc.
As an Xavier Institute funded company, X-Factor also serves as a go to resource for Professor Xavier for investigating odd Cerebro readings he isn't sure warrants sending the X-Men out to deal with. Carrying his name also ensures that the agency keeps everything above board and legal.
But they don't always do things legally, do they?
Well, no. In the less frequently occurring instances in which the members of X-Factor take less than legal recourse it is kept off the books. Usually the entire case is kept off the books so it doesn't blow back onto Xavier's name. As a rule they operate on the right side of the law, but if necessary they are willing to operate outside of the law so long as they can keep it from being associated with themselves or Xavier.
What is the general opinion of the X-Factor agency in District X?
Favorable. People have come to think of them as the "mutant cops" and go to X-Factor when they don't think the police will do anything. They are becoming a very public part of the community in District X and are well-known to help the residents there.
How is the agency personnel structured?
Currently X-Factor is a very small agency. Lucas Bishop and Vanessa Carlysle are partners in the agency, though Bishop is the only one of the staff with a PI license. Generally when cases come in either Vanessa or Bishop call the shots and assign specific tasks to the others. This, however, is not an enforced hierarchy and players are not required to adhere to it for plots. Ultimately X-Factor is much more interested in being a team who works together and utilizes the strengths of each member rather than having someone act as the boss, though the evolution toward attaining this goal is gradual.
Does my character have to be 18 to work here?
Because X-Factor is located in District X and it's approximately a one hour drive between NYC and the mansion it would be very difficult for a minor to work here. (Sorry aspiring Veronica Mars' of the world). That said, it is possible to work there on the weekends helping with filing, answering phones and maybe even doing lower level investigation stuff with one of the adult investigators on cases anticipated to be safe. X-Factor does, however, observe the child labor laws which means anyone 16 or 17 yrs of age cannot work between 10 pm and 6 am, for more than 4 hours on a weekday or more than 8 hours on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
Where do the X-Factor people live? Does my character have to live in District X or NYC?
While the X-Men all live in the mansion and the X-Force people all live in the brownstone, the X-Factor people are spread out. There is a flat the floor below the X-Factor offices owned and occupied by Vanessa Carlysle. Otherwise, for the most part the rest of the staff are scattered. It's a long commute between the X-Factor offices and the mansion - roughly an hour- but characters have been known to make that commute in order to live in the mansion and still work for X-Factor.
Can my character work for X-Factor and be on the X-Men or work for X-Force?
No. Private investigators work very strange, very long hours and X-Men team members need to be ready and able to mobilize should the team be needed. X-Force also keeps strange hours and may need to mobilize quickly, and their need for anonymity and X-Factor's publicity don't mesh well. In order to have characters not have to jeopardize their positions in either place it is advised that they remain only in X-Factor.
But you have characters who are on one of the teams and in X-Factor.
Yes, however Lucas Bishop is not actively working with X-Force as Remy decided he was more useful on the ground with X-Factor. The agency is his focus. Also, as the individual with the PI licence, it's preferable that his actions remain beyond legal reproach. Laurie doesn't actually work for X-Factor. She helps out around the office for free and feeds the crew because she spends time in the city and has relationships with some of the members of the agency.
How do I get my character involved with X-Factor?
IC you need to justify why your character wants to join the agency and why the agency should hire them. OOCly e-mail the X-Factor players to discuss your interest and how it may be possible to plausibly transition your character over. X-Factor is open to all characters and, as long as suitable justification is made, anyone can join.
Can I get my non-X-Factor character involved temporarily or just for one plot?
Sure! X-Factor is meant to be flexible and sometimes collaborative. They direct cases to X-Force and the X-Men when needed and also try to utilize their connections in those groups to help them do their jobs. If you'd like your character to work with them on a specific plot or on a conditional basis the X-Factor players would be happy to figure out with you how that could happen IG.
