FAQ
Under the cut you will find questions and answers that cover some of the important game information. If you are curious about something that you cannot find anywhere else, feel free to comment here.






How does time work in the game?
Time works on real time. If it is July 1st in real life, if it July 1st in the game. The next day would be July 2nd in real-time.

Why are some posts labelled 'Private to Project Stargate'? Can my character see them?
Those posts are readable only by members of Project Stargae. Oly Stargate characters can respond. And all journal entries by Stargate members should have this, or something like it in the subject line. Project Stargate is keeping a low profile! (On the same note, Stargate characters don't comment to Zener students/neutral characters!).


My character is a telepath. How do they read minds without power-playing?
Two ways. 1. They can make a random, general comment about a thought they’ve picked up, without specifying who it came from. For example ‘Who is thinking of the gym teacher naked?!’ Another player can then have their character fess up. And 2. Contact a player oocly and ask if your character can read their mind.


Can I play a character who is not high school age?
Yes! If a Zener student, they could be younger. Older characters can be played as part of Project Stargate. We do allow adult residents at the Zerner School, however there must be a good reason as to why they are there! And there are neutral characters as well, who live in town, go to college/work jobs/etc.


Can I play a teacher?
Aside from the Co-Headmasters, who will remain NPC, teachers are avaliable for play. See the staff list to find out who is open, and a brief burlb on each. Before applying for a teacher, contact the mod to see if anything has been mentioned about that teacher, as they are being NPCed as need be until they are picked up. We only ask that you can fake the subject in question - because teachers might have to hand out lessons, do threads about class, etc. You don't need to be knowledgeable in the subject, just be able to fudge it!


Can I play a member of Project: Stargate?
The game is now accepting Project: Stargate psychics! Unlike the Zener students, these psychics can be any age, although they do have a large base of 'young' psychics, those between 15 and 30.


Can I play a non-psychic character?
There will be a limited number of non-psychic characters in the game. Project Stargate has a few nulls (see below for more information). And neutral characters can be a regular human as well. However there must be a good reason for the non-psychic character (else they might be difficult to plot!). Ask the mod if you're interested.


I see characters with abilities not on the Abilities List. Why?
Some psychic abilities will be more rare than others, and we want to keep the numbers down on some. Or, it could be because that person asked for an ability that wasn't on the list and it was approved. For your first character, we ask you pick something on the list. If, with a future character, you are interested in something not on the list, please ask the mod.


Can my character have green skin/glowing eyes/purple hair/extra appendages/etc?
No (well except on the hair colour, if its dyed). These are normal human beings who just happen to have one extra psychic ability. Otherwise they are normal. There are no physical manifestations. We're trying to keep apart from the X-men and other mutant games.


In game, when do psychic powers manifest?
At puberty. Which is generally between 11-13, but in some cases is a bit earlier, and in some cases a bit later.







Where is the school located?
The Zener School for the Mind is located in New Hampshire. More specifically, it is located near North Conway and the Washington Mountain. The school is located outside of the town though, on a huge gated property.


What does the school look like?

It is a bit like a large college-campus building. Everything is in one, the living quarters and the school. The school takes up the first floor, which is lined with classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, the library and the like. The second floor is the common area - where the kitchen and small cafeteria are located, as well rec rooms. The third and fourth floor are dormitories - the third floor is the student dorm (males on one end, females on the other) and the fourth floor is the teacher/adult dorms. The fourth floor has a rec room just for members of staff/adult residents. In the basement there is a large gymnasium, as well as rooms for various testing/control (some of these rooms are blocked against psychic intrusion to cut out the background noise).

The grounds are quite sprawling. There are gardens, as well as many walking trails through wooded areas. A basketball court is set up neat the parking lots, and there are various nets to set up for soccer games and the like. In the warmer months, gym classes are often held outdoors. There is also an outdoor pool.


What are the bedrooms like?

The rooms are modest sized, but not cramped. Teachers and adults have their own rooms, which come with a bed, a dresser, bookshelves and desks, and can of course be decorated to their own designs.

Student rooms are doubles - yes, the students have roommates (except in specific circumstances). Student rooms have two twin bens, two desks, two dressers, etc. Each room has a small bathroom. There are also larger communal bathrooms - there is one large bathroom (with several toilets, sinks, showers) in the girls section of the dorms and one in the boys section.

Rooms are all painted a standard off-white colour, with a blue-gray carpet and beige coloured curtains. Students are permitted to put up posters and decorations and change the blinds and make other non-permanent changes.

There are also laundry rooms located on both the third and fourth floor, each with several washers and driers.


How are roommates selected?

New students are paired up with roommates at the discretion of the staff, who aim to choose roommates that will mesh and compliment each other, and are of similar age. Psychic abilities are highly kept in mind. For example, they would not put someone with pyrokinesis that was easily set off with a person who was very loud and volatile.

Students who have been at the school for a year are allowed to pick their roommates (girl/girl or boy/boy only, of course).


Who qualifies for a single room?

Single student rooms are given to students who need space from others. For example, an empath who cannot shut off their ability might be given a single room so they wouldn’t constantly be bombarded with the emotions of a roommate. Occasionally single rooms are given to students with personality issues as well.


What about classes?

During the school-year, students are expected to take classes as they would at any high school. This includes English, mathematics, sciences, physical education and more. The students are given a course selection like at any other school. However on top of these regular classes, each student must also train with a teacher in their abilities. This might be done one-on-one (especially if you’re the only student with your ability and level), but is is often done in small groups.


Do students go home during the summer?

They can, but many students choose to stay at the school. This can be for a number of reasons. Because they feel more comfortable at the school because they don’t have to hide their abilities. Because their friends are there. Because they want to continue ability-training through the summer (all students present during the summer continue their abilities courses). Some students have nowhere else to go.


Can students leave campus?

They can, during non-school hours, although its not something that happens every day. The school is about a half an hour drive from North Conway, so its not like they just pop out for coffee. Weekend trips are often arranged by staff who are going in (good for those who don’t have cars or are under the driving age). Some students have their own cars and can go in when they like (although most students cannot afford their own cars).

Are there still things like detention?

Yep. But they often take a different form. Students caught getting in trouble are often assigned extra chores - like scrubbing the bathroom or doing extra kitchen duty or yard work.

Extra kitchen duty?

Yes. All students have a chore schedule and are expected to pitch in. This isn’t an every day thing, but most students would be scheduled to, say, watch dishes, or do tidying in common rooms a couple times a week.


Who does the cooking?

There is a cook on staff who makes meals - a breakfast (served from 7:30-9), a lunch (served from 11:30-1) and a supper (served from 5-7). The kitchen fridges are stocked with food for those who eat at different times or need snacks. Students are on their own for junk food though. The meal schedule is posted at the beginning of every months so students know what is going to be made for that month.


Are there curfews?

On school nights, students are expected to be in bed by eleven - at least, that’s when they have to be in their dorm room. Earlier for younger students. On weekends and during holidays, there is no specific curfew, although students are expected to be back on campus by eleven (unless they have specific permission) and to be quieter after midnight for those who are sleeping.


How old are the students at the school?

Most students are high school are, so, between fifteen and eighteen. There are a few students who are younger, and some who are older, but the average student population is high school age. This is because psychic abilities tend to manifest at puberty, usually between 11-13 years of age. And of course most people do not realize what is going on right away, and generally take a year (and sometimes much more!) to figure out that they have psychic abilities.


Are there sports and other extracurriculars?

Yes, but not on the scale of an ordinary high school, simply because the student population at the Zener School is small. Sports are more like intermurals. There are a few clubs, mostly organized by the students, and they are fairly flexiable.


Are there dances? Field trips?

Yes to both. Dances will be organized throughout the year, as well as other social events and field trips. Stay tuned.






How do the journals work? Can anyone read them?

Unless the journal is marked as 'private' to a specific person or group than yes. Think of insanejournal - if you don't friends-lock your entries, anyone in the world can potentially read it. Anything journal entries pertinant to Project: Stargate should be marked 'Private to Project: Stargate' as security is very important to them. If someone at the school does not want their entry to be read by outsiders, then they would mark it as 'Private to Zener School'.


So Stargate members and Zener students can comunicate back and forth? what about neutral characters?

Not right now. Right now the Zener school does not know about the existance of Project: Stargate. This will change however, and then yes, members of both sides could communicate back and forth, on non-privatized entries. Everyone will be notified as to when this happens. For now, Project: Stargate is being kept a secret from the school and everyone else. Neutral characters are on the same network at Zener students and thus they can read each others entries.


Are there specific places in town my character can go?

Yes! There is a Locations Page that lists some places in game. However if you don't see what you're looking for, you can always make something up!


What is a 'null'?

A null is a human being whose mind is completely closed to psychic activity. Psychics cannot act on them. A Telepath could not read their thoughts, a Dream Walker could not enter their dreams, etc.


What is a 'norm'?

A 'norm' or a 'normal' is a term that many psychics of Project Stargate use to refer to humans with no psychic abilities. Often it is used in a derogatory way.


Why is Project Stargate against the Zener School?

Project Stargate and its members believe that psychics should not have to hide - rather that they should use their abilities to their own advantage. They think it foolish that the Zener School teaches psychics to control their abilities, so blend in. Many members of Project Stargate believe that this peaceful outlook is a waste of their gifts.

Contrarywise, the Zener School (once Project Stargate becomes known to them) will be against Project Stargate because they do not believe in using psychic gifts as weapons. The staff will realize that the Stargate top dogs are using the younger psychics as tools and little more. The school also is against the more violent means that Project Stargate uses to meet their objectives (breaking and entering, murder, terrorism, etc).


What is this about Project Stargate clearance?

Not all members of Project Stargate have the same clearance level. There are four clearance levels:

Level 1: Those who are allowed into the Project Stargate compound, but can not open any locked door or get in and out of the building on their own. This Level usually applies to psychics who are new to the Project. They are on a sort of probation until it is ensured that they are trustworthy.

Level 2: These individuals have their fingerprints, retinal scans and DNA inputted into the system. They can get in and out of the compound at will, and can get into most of the communal rooms, the conference rooms, the gym, etc. Most young psychics of the Project are at this clearance level.

Level 3: Those who have priority clearance. They have access to Adam Meyer's computer room, the abilities training rooms, the research rooms, the sensory deprivation rooms and most offices.

Level 4: Top clearance. The ability to get into all rooms, including the sub-basement laboratories and cells. Very few people have this clearance, and most are not allowed to leave the compound so that they cannot tell anyone what they have seen/done.