The Bellefonte Academy FAQ

[Mel *]

This is the Frequently Asked Questions section. If your question isn't listed, feel free to leave a comment below. For character stats, go HERE

The Bellefonte Universe

• Who is the President of the US?
• What Month/Day/Year is it at Bellefonte?
• Are there other schools like Bellefonte? And if so, what other are there?

- Who is the President of the US?
We try to keep things as realistic as possible, and therefore use the same President as in real life. Barack Obama is currently the president in the Bellefonte universe.

- What Month/Day/Year is it at Bellefonte?
Same answer as before. We stick to real time, so if the date is 12/12/14 in real life, it's 12/12/14 inside the Bellefonte universe as well.

- Are there other schools like Bellefonte? And if so, what other are there?
There are several schools out in the world, and the ones currently associated with the Bellefonte Academy is St. Bethany in England, Sainō in Japan and St. Cadou in Romania.

The School

• How is the school funded?
• How old do someone have to be to be recruited?
• What age does mutants manifest their powers?
• How long before a newly manifested teenager gets recruited? And how does it happen?
• Can we have details about the process?
• What happens if a child doesn't want to be there?
• When does a student graduate? What happens after?
• Can students have pets?
• Does students/teachers have to live in the dorms?
• Can students have cars or other types of vehicles?
• Are there a curfew for the students who live on the school?
• Can students have relationships with a teacher or a member of the staff?
• During breaks (Such as summer vacation, Christmas, etc) does my character remain at the school, or do they go home?
• Are the parents of my character told about what kind of school their kids are being sent to?

- How is the school funded?
Largely through government funding, but there have been several successful students who have given generous donations in the past.

- How old does someone have to be to be recruited?
Usually, teenagers are recruited when their powers manifest. This happens within two weeks, depending on how they manifest. The more severe the case is, the quicker they will be recruited.

- What age does mutants manifest their powers?
Usually, powers are manifested between the age of 11 and 15, sometimes later. This usually happens when the person reaches puberty and their powers start growing.

- How long before a newly manifested teenager gets recruited? And how does it happen?
A recruiter is sent out to 'collect' the children within two weeks, all depending on how severe the case of the manifestation is. Children have no choice but to join the recruiter back to Bellefonte. In some cases, a recruiter will pick up the kids within few days, others within a few weeks.

- Can we have details about the process?
In some cases a child’s mutation becomes a somewhat public matter (for example, they may lose control of their abilities at a school function. They may accidentally hurt a friend or family member in an unexplainable way, etc.) In these cases, the government may be involved as far as helping to cover up the situation.

Largely, these things are handled by the school themselves (what good are telepaths if you can't use them to clean up messes?) The school employs a handful of mutants with abilities that make them exceptional trackers, more specifically those who can hunt down other mutants. While recruiters are often the ones to make initial contact, they rarely do so blindly.

If a child or family is approached, it is because they have been vetted by these special individuals from the academy.

- What happens if a child doesn't want to be at the school?
Tough #$%!, is pretty much the answer to that question. For some children it’s much easier to blend into the world at large than others. For those with very visible mutations, they really have no other options. Attendance isn't optional. There’s a reason the mutants are a ‘well-kept secret’ by the U.N. and most federal governments.

The school is allowed to take the children by force if necessary; this is often viewed as a last resort. Most attend the school willingly, as at the end of the day these academies are the only real option at this point of our site’s plot. If history tells us anything, it’s that horrible things often happen to those who are viewed as drastically different first emerge.

- When does a student graduate? What happens after?
Usually, a student graduate at the age of 18, unless they haven't learned how to control their ability. In that case, a student can up until the age of 25 before graduation is forced. If they learn to handle their evolutionary abilities, they move on with their lives.

While some choose to stay in the town for college and beyond, this isn't to say that everyone must. Many students go on to live full lives, only to return later on. Some even simply fully adapt and are never heard from again. It all depends on the character.

- Can students have pets?
Yes, as long as the pets are small enough to fit into a cage. Birds, spiders, snakes, ferrets, mice, rats, etc are examples of animals that fit into said cages.

- Do students/teachers have to live in the dorms?
If a student is under the age of 18 and doesn't have any family living in Montana, then yes, they have to live in the dorms. As for teachers, it's completely up to them whether or not they live in the dorms or have a house/apartment in Kalispell.

- Can students have cars or other types of vehicles?
Yes. As long as a student is over the age of 16, he or she can have a vehicle.

- Are there a curfew for the students who live on the school?
For students under the age of 16, they have to be inside before 9PM, for students under 18, 11PM and for students above the age of 18, 12AM.

- Can students have relationships with a teacher or a member of the staff?
As we try to keep things as realistic as possible, of course they can. But if someone finds out, there will be consequences and the teacher or member of the staff will lose their job, or worse. This works just as it would in real life.

- During breaks (Such as summer vacation, Christmas, etc) does my character remain at the school, or do they go home?
Usually, the students remain at the school, but they're allowed to go back home to visit their parents for a certain amount of time. With SPECTRE in the picture, they would need to plan this ahead and such, so the academy can keep control of who's where and such.

- Are the parents of my character told about what kind of school their kids are being sent to?
The parents are told what the school is, yes: So they would be aware of the situation, and know that their child(ren) is a mutant.

The Town/State

• Are the citizen of Montana aware of the mutants?
• What happens if I flaunt my powers openly?
• Does Montana have public/private schools for non-mutants?
• Can I have a powered mutant living in the town?
• Does graduates have to work at the school?

- Are the citizen of Montana aware of the mutants?
Some are, some aren't. Simple as that. As the Bellefonte Academy have been around for quite some time, we expect most of the residents to know what's hiding within the mountains. But that does not mean the students or teachers are allowed to flaunt their abilities outside of the school.

- What happens if I flaunt my powers openly?
Bad things happen, that's what. This also goes for characters with overt mutations. For characters who fall into the latter category, they often are confined to the academy grounds.

- Does Montana have public/private schools for non-mutants?
Yes. Just like any other city, even Kalispell provides schools, kindergartens and a college for non-powered humans. The college also provide schooling for mutants.

- Can I have a powered mutant living in the town?
Yes, of course. Your character is whatever and whoever you want them to do, and they can have normal jobs that doesn't have anything to do with the Academy as well.

- Does graduates have to work at the school?
No, after graduation, your character can get a job or go to college (Or perhaps something else). We do not restrict characters to the Bellefonte Academy when it comes to jobs.

The Site

• Is there a age limit to how old/young my character can be?
• Can I use a power someone else has already used?
• How do I use the OOC chat box, the IC chat box and the RP request box?
• Is there a specific way to format my posts?
• How large can my avatar/signature be?
• How do I make a hyperlink?
• How do I get a rotating signature?
• Can I become a mod/admin?

- Is there a age limit to how old/young my character can be?
A character cannot be younger than 11 as we only allow Play By's of characters that are 13 years or older, but as long as your character isn't immortal, he or she can be as old as you want.

- Can I use a power someone else has already used?
Unless the power is listed under the banned or restricted powers and you don't directly copy from someone else's work, then yes, feel free to reuse powers as often as you want.

- How do I use the OOC chat box, the IC chat box and the RP request box?
OOC Chat Box: The OOC chat box can be found on the left sidebar, and you need java to use it. If you don't have an account, it will show you as 'anon####'. For making an account, click on 'Set Name', then pick option 3, and click on the button called 'Sign Up'.

ICC Chat Box: The ICC chat box can be found on the tab located under the banner. This is a in character chat box only, and you set your name at the top, and from there you write as if you are your own character. This c-box is not canon, unless you or others specify that it is.

RP Request Box: This chat box is restricted to advertising wanted characters and open threads only. Put your name in the name section, the url to the thread in the url section and whatever message you want for the request in the message section.

- Is there a specific way to format my posts?
No. As long as it's not too colorful and easy to read, we don't use a set format. You can decide whether or not you want to use anything at all, blockquote, bold text or color for whenever someone talk.

- How large can my avatar/signature be?
We don't have any specific requests for either of these, but we recommend using 500x300/250/200 for signature as longer width might resize your signature and make it look odd. For avatars, we recommend 200x200/150x150 avatars as they too resize if the image is too large.

- How do I make a hyperlink?
You make a hyperlink by typing [url="urlhere.com"]text[/url*]. Remember to remove the *'s.

- How do I get a rotating signature?
Either search the web for one, or use THIS.

- Can I become a mod/admin?
You can apply for any of the open Staff positions, and if there is none available, let a Staff know that you want to help out and we'll discuss it and let you know if there's any open positions.

The Application Process

• Does characters with powers have to be trained at the school?
• Can I use powers from other fandoms? Can I use X-men/Marvel powers?
• Are there any limitations on how dark my character's past can be?
• Can my character have killed someone?
• What powers are banned and what powers can I not use?
• Can my character have any illnesses?
• What is needed to get my power accepted?
• How long do I have to wait between making characters?
• How many characters can I have?
• Can I have the same power on two different characters?
• How many powers can I have?
• When it comes to the sample, do I have to use one from the character's point of view, or can I use a sample from another site?
• Can my character live longer than normal expected life expectancy?

- Does characters with powers have to be trained at the school?
Yes. ALL students have to go to the Bellefonte Academy, whether they want to or not. When recruiters come to pick the mutants up, they leave the children no choice but to follow. Not even the parents have a say in this.

- Can I use powers from other fandoms? Can I use X-men/Marvel powers?
No, we do not allow strictly copied powers from other fandoms. You can however use them as ideas, but you have to write them yourselves and fit them into our canon.

- Are there any limitations on how dark my character's past can be?
As of right now, no there isn't. We only ask of you to put a trigger warning on heavy content and mark heavy or mature threads with an [M]. We accept both villains and good people as well, just make sure to keep things realistic. Even evil characters have positive traits.

- Can my character have killed someone?
As we do allow tragic and dark pasts, yes they can. Just make sure to keep things realistic and remember that even murder has consequences, both with the law and someone's psyche.

- What powers are banned and what powers can I not use?
You cannot use powers strictly copied from other fandoms, sites or characters, and take a look at the information on the powers section in the 'Good To Knows' as all the current banned and restricted powers can be found there.

- Can my character have any illnesses?
Yes. As long as it's realistic, go ahead.

- What is needed to get my power accepted?
Make sure your power isn't too overpowered for your characters age and have side-effects and limitations. Even fully trained mutants and adults have both limitations and side-effects to their powers. As long as you're able to justify your power without having to retort to magic, you'll probably be fine.

- How long do I have to wait between making characters?
There is no current waiting period between making characters. All you need is a total of 25 IC posts with each character before another can be reviewed.

- How many characters can I have?
As many as you want as long as you manage to keep them all active. And if you can't, either retire them or don't add onto the workload.

- Can I have the same power on two different characters?
Yes. We don't restrict powers that way, so feel free to have a horde of shapeshifters or telekinetics. If that's fun for you, we won't spoil it!

- How many powers can I have?
Usually just one, and at most two, as long as they are closely related. Such as human shape shifting and vocal mimicry or breathing underwater and fish communication.

- When it comes to the sample, do I have to use one from the character's point of view, or can I use a sample from another site?
Any sample will do, whether it's from another character, another site, another genre: It doesn't matter. Heck, it can even be part of a story you've written.

Can my character live longer than normal expected life expectancy?
People can live longer or fight off the effects of their powers, but can't generally live too far beyond the normal human lifespan. Basically, we do allow characters to live maybe 10-20 years longer than what they normally would have, but that's about it. Barely anything that would make a whole lot of difference.

[Mel *]

Character retirement

• How does my character get retired?
• How do I unretire my character, and are there any procedures for that?
• How do I avoid getting my character retired?

- How does my character get retired?
If your character isn't in an active thread (Needs to have at least one post per month), you fail to reply to the MONTHLY Activity Check, or haven't logged in to your account for 30 days (a month) without giving notice, your character will get retired.

- How do I unretire my character, and are there any procedures for that?
Send a message to either of the staff members and they will change the usergroup for you. You then have to redo all of your claims. Face claim, housing claim, who plays whom and if necessarily, in character positions.

- How do I avoid getting my character retired?
Reply to the MONTHLY Activity Check and keep your character active, which means that you need to log in at least ONCE per 30 days and have at least ONE post per 30 days.

Activity Checks

• How often are the Activity Checks, and when does characters get retired?
• Do I have to reply to it if my character was made AFTER the Activity Check was posted?
• I had my character accepted before the activity check, but my character isn't on the list. What do I do?
• Some people use the activity check to add their characters to the spreadsheet. Do I have to do this too?

- How often are the Activity Checks?
These happens once every month. They are usually posted in the beginning of every month and last throughout the entire month. The people who fail to reply to the Activity Check and whose names are still on the list when the Activity Check ends, will get retired at the end of the month.

- Do I have to reply to it if my character was made AFTER the Activity Check was posted?
No, you do not. The Activity Check counts the characters that was made the month before, and not the ones who were made after it was posted. However, once the Activity Check is posted the month after, you then have to reply to it.

- I had my character accepted before the activity check, but my character isn't on the list. What do I do?
This means you've failed to do your 'who plays whom' claim, so you character isn't counted on the list. Make sure you've done all your claims.

- Some people use the activity check to add their characters to the spreadsheet. Do I have to do this too?
It's not forced, but it is recommended. If you want your character added to the spreadsheet, then yes, you have to add your name to the Activity Check. It doesn't matter when you do this though, and you can do it both before and after your character has been added to the list on the Activity Check.

[Ren Shaw McLean]

Questions: What child protection measures exist in a place as fundamentally volatile as a school for superpowered teenagers and college students?

What kind of facilities exist to support children who have become scarred or traumatized by manifestations or encounters with the powers of another?

How does the school deal with a mutant who abuses their power on other children? What about a staff member who abuses their power on the students?

What kind of background checks and screening is done on teachers to prevent unstable mutants from becoming an unstable influence?

What kind of government safety measures are in place to ensure that the school adheres to a basic standard of provision and care for their population?

If a mutant is reduced to a vegetable or permanently incapable of using their power, do they still have to attend the school?

If a mutant has a known history of mental illness, what kind of safety measures are taken against psychic interference by other students?

Sorry if I'm overthinking this, but I worry about Ren. ;-;

[Sierra Wilson]

Does the school have a system of "marking" students who have potentially lethal abilities, or students who had a more dangerous manifestation? Both as a warning to other students and staff, and as a way of identifying those who might need more help?

[Mel *]

Ren Shaw McLean:

Questions: What child protection measures exist in a place as fundamentally volatile as a school for superpowered teenagers and college students?

-- We're not entirely sure as to what you're referring to here, but for general protection, the school has trained security staff, teachers and faculty around, helping to keep the children safe.

As for 'social services' in its general form, the school works with the government to ensure the safety of these kids (as mentioned above), and the recruiters are trained to help take care of these children, very much like a social worker would.

There are currently no 'active' social workers at the school, but that doesn't mean there are none.

What kind of facilities exist to support children who have become scarred or traumatized by manifestations or encounters with the powers of another?

-- The school has several psychiatrists and counselors trained to take care of these kind of incidents. Again, just because there aren't any 'active' characters doing these, it doesn't mean there are none.

How does the school deal with a mutant who abuses their power on other children? What about a staff member who abuses their power on the students?

-- There are disciplinary measures taken; there are power suppressors who would likely be assigned to various troubled mutants. In severe cases, the student would have faculty escorts and wouldn't essentially be allowed outside without someone watching. Though, this is something we'd judge case by case basis.

Staff members who abuse their ability would also receive appropriate punishment.

As stated in the rules, which I've told you already; IC crimes are dealt with, as long as they are discovered.

What kind of background checks and screening is done on teachers to prevent unstable mutants from becoming an unstable influence?

-- The school mostly contains teachers and staff that have once been students themselves, or staff/teachers that has gone to other schools, which means that there would already be a record of them, as students manifest between the age of 11-15 (sometimes later), and are forced to attend the school closest to them.

The school very rarely allows non-powered around the school, without the proper background check; they need to be connected to mutants somehow, to even get the chance for applying.

The school is there to protect the mutant population, after all.

What kind of government safety measures are in place to ensure that the school adheres to a basic standard of provision and care for their population?

-- The same safety measures any other boarding school would have for their students and staff.

If a mutant is reduced to a vegetable or permanently incapable of using their power, do they still have to attend the school?

-- Again; this is something that would be judged case by case basis, but in most cases, they would have been taken care of, and if it's done by the school, the school is likely to take care of them.

If a mutant has a known history of mental illness, what kind of safety measures are taken against psychic interference by other students?

-- Judge case by case basis; the school's staff are trained for these kind of things, and react accordingly. All depending on the mental illness, the students will be taken care of, and protected.

---

Sierra Wilson:

Does the school have a system of "marking" students who have potentially lethal abilities, or students who had a more dangerous manifestation? Both as a warning to other students and staff, and as a way of identifying those who might need more help?

--- In general, the school takes the viewpoint that people can be trained. Just because someone has a lethal ability doesn't mean they have the inclination to do anything with it. If a student proves to be regular trouble or looks potentially violent, then they are placed under careful watch by the security staff. If they continue to be violent or lethal, then further actions are taken, but usually students learn to control themselves and their gifts.

[Cassidy Laramie]

I have a few questions, some are for future reference just in case: After a student graduates, are they still tracked by the school? Or are they free to leave? If something bad were to happen to them post-graduation, would the school know about it right away? Is it standard amongst all schools or would the international schools have different policies/regulations on this?

Can non-mutants work at the school?

It says that some residents of Kalispell know about mutants and some don't, but are they aware of the school itself? Would it just seem like some sort of boarding school to those who were unaware of mutants, or would they likely not know of it at all?

What security measures are put in place to prevent curious locals from snooping around the school?