Anomaly Classifications

Every anomaly catalogued by the Agency is attributed a handful of designations, each of which categorizing it into a handful of different groups. Due to the variable nature of anomalies, this several specific systems are employed in order to best categorize all anomalous phenomenon.

The Security Clearance of any anomalous document determines which levels of security have access to the document; a comprehensive guide of all security classifications can be found here. A comprehensive guide of all other scales and ratings utilized by the Agency can be found below:

Control Scale

Control Scale determines how easily an informed individual can manipulate or prevent the activation of an anomalous phenomenon in a way that renders it inert, safe, or non-anomalous for the purposes of movement, containment, or surveillance. This is rated on a scale of Low to Extreme, as determined by the rising difficulty of continued control of the object.

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Threat Assessment Lethality Index (TALI)

Threat Assessment Lethality Index, shortened to TALI is used to gauge the potential lethality of uncontrolled, or destructively utilized, anomalous phenomena and inform an appropriate response from the Agency and other connected agencies around the world. The TALI ranges from Level 0 to Level 5, with each tier being directly connected to the severity of a potential anomalous threat.

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TALI-0: Does not possess properties that can threaten or end a human life, except for the native danger of any non-anomalous objects or entities associated with the anomalous phenomena. For example, an anomalous axe may be classified as TALI-0 if it's anomalous effects aren't dangerous. Objects categorized as Level 0 under the TALI are entirely benign and rarely pose a discernible threat to any aspect of society (excluding the veil).

TALI-1: Possesses properties that have the capability of taking a human life, though only in extenuating circumstances. This may come from the incompetence of a potential victim or through extensive compliance with a potential assailant. Anomalies of this nature rarely warrant more than routine monitoring and surveillance as a response effort.

TALI-2: Possesses properties that, while limited, have the potential to bring harm if used maliciously or left unattended. As a result of this, anomalies in this category are often subject to enhanced vigilance and a handful of protocols in place in the event that this anomaly escapes Agency control and becomes dangerous.

TALI-3: Possesses properties that are capable of causing destruction on a moderate scale. Anomalies within this category are subject to extremely high security standards, and several contingency plans are in place to ensure a swift and decisive response in the event of an anomalous incident.

TALI-4: Possesses the potential to bring death and destruction to a large-scale area, such as a major city. Anomalies such as these are subject to the most extreme security measures the Agency has to offer; in some cases, ready-to-deploy STARS unit may be formed in order to protect lives and Agency property.

TALI-5: Possesses almost unparalleled destructive capabilities; anomalies such as these may have the potential to destroy entire countries or decimate major geological formations. Anomalies of this nature are extraordinarily rare but are to be neutralized upon discovery through any means necessary.

TALI-X: TALI-X is a designation that only exists theoretically and for anomalies that we have never truly seen; if an anomaly existed that could be proven to fall into this category, we would all be dead. TALI-X refers to any anomaly with the potential to destroy the planet and bring about the end of the world. The Agency hopes that it will never have to defend Earth from an anomalous phenomenon, though preparations have been made in the case that we must.

Usability Rating

Usability Rating is a rating assigned used by Agency personnel based on the usefulness of an anomalous phenomenon; this is generally recognized as an ability to accrue resources (generating money or energy), minimize the loss of resources (being able to contain other anomalies or increase the value of pre-existing resources), gain insight on the nature of anomalous phenomenon (being easy to research or possessing unique and meaningful scientific phenomena), or provide a tactical advantage (making it easier to protect Agency assets or assert force to acquire assets from other agencies). This scale is ranked on a scale of zero to five stars, as determined by comparing the risk reward ratio of using the anomaly to produce any of the above results.

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☆☆☆☆☆: The existence of this anomaly, in some way, deprives its owner or the Agency of resources through anomalous means; objects which provide a tactical advantage to opposing agencies or deprive the Agency of resources automatically fall into this rating. Anomalies with this rating are to be destroyed and studied to ensure that they were not created by hostile anomalous agencies for the purposes of sabotage.

★☆☆☆☆: Provides no possible value to the Agency under any reasonable circumstances; generally, anomalies such as these cannot be appraised based on a risk-reward ratio because there are no outcomes that could be considered as a "reward" to the Agency. Anomalies with this rating are to be destroyed as soon as possible for the protection of the State and, by extension, the world.

★★☆☆☆: Can be useful but possesses more possible risks than rewards. Generally, anomalies with this rating are not utilized by the Agency unless it is necessary for the continued safety of the State (due to a lack of alternatives), or the continued use of this anomaly is necessary to prevent wide-scale destruction.

★★★☆☆: This rating is used to describe any situation where the potential value of utilizing an anomaly is equal to the dangers and potential losses involved with doing so. Anomalies with this rating are known to cause massive debates amongst scientists within the STAC due to the balance between possible risks and rewards; generally, unless there is an outstanding moral or logical reason otherwise, anomalies with this rating are to be utilized with extreme discretion or contained indefinitely; if we won't, someone else might.

★★★★☆: Can be useful and possesses more possible rewards than risks. Generally, anomalies with this rating are to be utilized by the Agency unless the nature of risks is deemed to be too great in scale (planetary destruction, Agency eradication, etc.), or the conditions surrounding the potential use of the anomaly are greater than the Agency is able to provide.

★★★★★: Provides clear, discernable value to the Agency with no potential risks or side-effects as a result. Due to the obvious and inherent value of anomalies such as this, anomalies with this rating are often subject to high classification levels and stringent security protocols. Furthermore, the Veil Status of these anomalies is to be kept as low as possible in order to ensure that foreign agencies are unable to discover (and, thus, attempt to acquire) them.

Veil Status

Veil Status is used to determine how much knowledge about the anomaly is known about by organizations outside of the Agency itself. In most cases, it is within the Agency's best interest to keep the Veil Status as low as possible, though there are fringe cases where a heightened Veil Status is necessary (such as a requirement for a large number of people to be aware of something to prevent negative outcomes, or the mechanics of an anomaly are so well understood that they can be revealed to the public as scientific discoveries).

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F.A.S.A

Federal Agency for the Strange and Anomalous

Anomaly Classifications