Safehouse Protocol

Types of Safehouses

Class A

Temporary safehouses that are unmanned. They are accessed via keycard (or keys obtained by HQ.) They are usually located in run-down neighbourhoods and stocked only with basic non-perishables and rudimentary medical facilities. These safehouses can be abandoned should they be compromised, so they're ideal for sheltering people who have not yet been proven trustworthy. They're also good to use in emergencies because any Watch agent of a sufficient level of trustworthiness can access these. There are approximately a dozen of these located all over London.

Summary: Potential danger to self or others, possible security risk, or waiting to be cleared. Also can be used by Watch members as a temporary place to lie low.

Class B

Oftentimes a room over a pub, or a back room of another business friendly to the Watch or run by the Watch itself. This is a longer-term solution, usually for someone who needs to stay hidden. This class of safehouse is manned either part-time or 24 hours a day by a safehouse operator. It is more comfortable and more upscale than a Class A. These types of safehouses are not easily abandoned if compromised, so people usually have to be proven trustworthy before they're moved to a Class B. A subject must prove they understand that the safehouse must be kept secret and pass a background check before they are moved into a Class B. These safehouses are also the most commonly used by Watch agents when they need a place to lie low.

Summary: Passed security checks, but still needs to be isolated. May need to be hidden from authorities. Temporary place for Watch agents to lie low.

Class C

Akin to a halfway house for Touched. Provides temporary to long-term accomodation for Watch members and Touched who either can't or are not yet able to integrate into normal society. This may take the form of a shared house, a block of flats or a hostel (The Hollow Tree Hostel serves as an IC example.) If they are able, residents are expected to keep up with household chores, and if they hold down a job, contribute when they can to the communal fridge or other supplies. Like Class Bs, Class Cs cannot be easily abandoned (if at all) so security is more of a concern.

Abilities are well-controlled. Subject can mix with ordinary society, is aware of his or her surroundings and can contribute to the running of a household. Subject may be able to hold down a job. Also longer-term accomodation for Watch agents without much of an income, or who prefer to live in an communal environment with others like them. Akin to a halfway house.

Safehouse Procedures

Scenario 1

A Watch agent finds a vulnerable Touched who cannot control her abilities. Perhaps she breathes fire, perhaps she can't distinguish between fantasy and reality. This Touched is a potential danger to people around her. She is taken to a Class A safehouse until her abilities are under control.

Scenario 2

A Touched is discovered by a Watch agent. He has the ability to control water. He seems in reasonable control of his abilities, but still requires assistance. Two Watch agents assess the subject, at a Class A safehouse if a secure space is required. An interview is given to assess abilities and how recent Gloom exposure was. A background check is run, and perhaps a psychic screening. If the subject is clear, they may be moved to a Class B.

Scenario 3

A Touched has minor abilities that have shown to be well under control. Perhaps this individual was previously helped by the Watch, either in London or another city. She has proven she can keep the safehouse a secret, has passed background checks and is not a danger to herself or others. She is capable of holding down a job, although she may have no savings or resources due to time spent in the Gloom or she may have come from a vulnerable background. She is given a room in a Class C, and lives with the support of the Watch, but with a level of independence. These individuals may transition into full Watch agents, or they may just try to live as normal a life as possible.

Additional Notes

Any of the above may be circumvented in the event the subject is a minor, or is injured and requires immediate care. Security procedures can be overridden if the Watch agent who brought in the subject takes on responsibility for them. This is essentially a 'vouch' system, and Agents are allowed to use their best judgment. Still, a potential security threat should never be brought to a Class C directly. Class Bs should be avoided as well.

OOC: All of this is IC bureaucracy. In practical terms, you can handwave any of these procedures, providing the person you're RPing with would ICly pass them. If there is any doubt, if the player has anything in their background that might be suspicious, then please go through the motions ICly (better RP that way, anyway!) This would involve meeting with a senior Watch agent or safehouse operator, and perhaps even a telepathic scan.

Basically, you can handwave all you like, up until the point where OOC handwaving would allow a non-clever infiltrator or someone unreliable and dangerous into a Class B or C safehouse.

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