CATALYST
Logan Jenkins
Hero Points: 150
Power Level: High Level
Team: Dark Society
Role: Sorceress Supreme, occult specialist, and mystical field leader
Occupation: Owner of Jenks Curiosity Shoppe; Dean of the Dark Academy
Motivation: Responsibility
CHARACTER PROFILE
The title of Catalyst is passed down once each century to the most powerful magician of that era. Logan Jenkins inherited the mantle following the death of her predecessor, Nathaniel Caine, and although she remains relatively new to the position, her potential may eventually allow her to surpass every Catalyst who came before her.
Logan operates Jenks—pronounced “Jinx”—a magic and curiosity shop located in Grove’s Folly, a deceptively quiet town that attracts an extraordinary amount of supernatural activity. Jenks serves as both a legitimate business and a place where people can seek help with problems that conventional authorities would never believe. Its shelves contain genuine mystical artifacts alongside harmless antiques, occult curiosities, protective charms, and several objects Logan would prefer that no customer ever touch.
Whenever an occult force threatens the world, Catalyst is likely to become involved. She is one of Earth’s leading authorities on sorcery, supernatural creatures, cursed artifacts, and incursions from other planes of existence. Although Jupiter is the nominal leader of the Dark Society, Logan naturally assumes command whenever the team confronts a mystical threat.
Logan is close to several other heroes, including the American Crusader and Calavera. She was also romantically involved with the Straw-Man for a time, and the complicated affection remaining between them occasionally draws her into the supernatural mysteries surrounding Grove’s Folly. After breaking up with the Straw-Man, she was involved with another teammate, Nature Boy, but the two ended up parting amicably.
She conceals one especially dangerous secret: Logan is the daughter of the infamous Lord and Lady Grimdark. Her parents’ reputation has given her every reason to fear that other heroes might question her loyalty or assume that darkness is somehow inevitable in their bloodline. Much of Logan’s determination to protect others comes from her refusal to become what her parents expected her to be.
Catalyst may not always possess the most powerful spell in the room, but given sufficient time, knowledge, and preparation, she can usually discover the spell that will save it.
CHARACTERISTICS
| Characteristic | Rating |
|---|---|
| Edge | 12 |
| Health | 4 |
| Resolve | 2 |
| Trait Cap | 16d |
| Maximum Flight Speed | Approximately 150 mph |
| Teleportation Range | Approximately 25 miles |
ABILITIES
| Ability | Rank |
|---|---|
| Agility | 5d |
| Intellect | 9d |
| Might | 3d |
| Perception | 7d |
| Toughness | 4d |
| Willpower | 10d |
Logan’s 9d Intellect reflects her extensive education, remarkable memory, and sophisticated understanding of magical theory. She can interpret ancient grimoires, identify supernatural patterns, reconstruct rituals, and recognize connections that less experienced occultists would overlook.
Her 10d Willpower is even more important. Magic requires Logan to impose her intent upon forces that are frequently hostile, unpredictable, or alive. Her mental discipline allows her to resist possession, endure psychic assaults, control dangerous energies, and continue casting spells under extraordinary pressure.
Logan is reasonably agile and perceptive but remains physically human. Without her magic, she can be injured by the same weapons and hazards that threaten any ordinary person.
TALENTS
| Talent | Rank | Specialty or Use |
|---|---|---|
| Academics | 10d | Occultism, magical history, ancient languages, and folklore |
| Charm | 5d | Negotiation and personal presence |
| Command | 5d | Mystical operations and crisis leadership |
| Covert | 3d | General proficiency |
| Investigation | 7d | Supernatural mysteries and cursed objects |
| Medicine | 5d | Magical healing and supernatural afflictions |
| Professional | 4d | Operating Jenks Curiosity Shoppe |
| Science | 3d | General proficiency |
| Streetwise | 3d | General proficiency |
| Survival | 3d | General proficiency |
| Technology | 3d | General proficiency |
| Vehicles | 3d | General proficiency |
Academics is Logan’s most important Talent. It encompasses the enormous body of mystical knowledge she inherited from Nathaniel Caine, acquired through her own studies, or has gained through experience as Catalyst. When researching a demon’s true name, deciphering an enchanted manuscript, or determining the purpose of an ancient ritual, Logan normally relies upon Academics.
Investigation allows her to recognize the signs of supernatural interference, reconstruct the use of a magical artifact, follow occult clues, and distinguish genuine sorcery from deception or coincidence.
Medicine represents Logan’s understanding of both conventional first aid and magical healing. It also allows her to diagnose curses, possession, mystical diseases, and injuries caused by supernatural forces.
Command reflects her ability to take control when the Dark Society faces an occult emergency. Logan does not routinely challenge Jupiter’s leadership, but even Jupiter understands that mystical battles are her territory.
POWERS
All of Catalyst’s established powers possess the Magic Source.
Eldritch Blast — 12d
Logan can project concentrated mystical energy from her hands, striking enemies with bolts, beams, or explosive spheres of eldritch force. The appearance of the spell may change depending upon the magical tradition she invokes, but the underlying game effect remains the same.
Because the Blast possesses the Magic Source, it can exploit supernatural vulnerabilities and can harm beings that resist ordinary physical or energy attacks.
Defensive Wards: Armor — 12d
These wards are not permanently active. Logan must remain aware of danger and invoke her defenses before an attack reaches her. When caught by surprise, rendered unconscious, or prevented from casting spells, she is considerably more vulnerable.
Armor 12d makes Logan immune to ordinary attacks of 6d or less unless they possess the Penetrating quality. The wards are potent, but they should never be mistaken for natural invulnerability.
Flight — 6d
Logan can levitate and fly by surrounding herself with magical energy, riding enchanted currents, or commanding the air to support her.
Healing — 10d
Catalyst can channel restorative magic into an injured person, closing wounds, repairing damaged tissue, and stabilizing someone who might otherwise die.
Logan’s magic cannot erase every consequence of injury. The more severe or unnatural the damage, the more difficult it becomes to repair safely.
Teleportation — 10d
Catalyst can open a magical passage and instantly transport herself and nearby companions from one location to another. At 10d, her normal maximum range is approximately twenty-five miles.
Omni-Power: Ritual Magic — 6d
Catalyst’s most important ability is not a single spell but her capacity to research and perform almost any kind of magic when given sufficient time and information. Omni-Power allows Logan to create temporary magical effects at up to 6d. Possible applications include:
- Banishing demons or extradimensional creatures
- Breaking curses and enchantments
- Communicating with spirits
- Conjuring restraints or mystical bindings
- Creating illusions
- Detecting magic or locating supernatural beings
- Dispelling another magician’s spell
- Exorcising possessing entities
- Opening or sealing dimensional portals
- Performing magical transformations
- Projecting her consciousness into other realms
- Protecting a building or location with wards
- Summoning supernatural assistance
- Temporarily granting herself an unusual magical sense
- Transmuting one substance into another
The more ambitious the effect, the more preparation Logan requires. She may need to consult a grimoire, acquire rare components, draw a ritual circle, learn a creature’s true name, wait for a particular celestial alignment, or accept a dangerous magical consequence. With enough preparation, Logan can occasionally produce effects beyond the normal 6d limit as a major narrative stunt, particularly when she possesses the correct artifact or receives assistance from other mystics. Such magic should require Resolve, extensive research, or a significant price determined by the GM.
PERKS
Headquarters: Jenks Curiosity Shoppe
Jenks is more than a storefront. It contains Logan’s personal library, ritual space, magical supplies, secured artifact storage, and numerous protective wards. The shop provides access to unusual information and resources, but it also attracts troubled people, supernatural creatures, occult collectors, and enemies searching for the dangerous objects hidden inside. Logan’s private residence is located behind the shop.
Connections: Occult Community
As Catalyst, Logan has contacts among magicians, supernatural investigators, magical scholars, spirits, artifact dealers, and inhabitants of other planes. Not all of these contacts are friends. Some owe her favors, some respect the title of Catalyst, and others cooperate only because they fear what might happen if she fails.
FLAWS
Secret: Daughter of Lord and Lady Grimdark
Logan’s parents are the notorious villains Lord and Lady Grimdark. She goes to considerable lengths to conceal that connection from the public and from heroes who do not know her well. Exposure of the secret could damage her reputation, cause others to question her right to hold the title of Catalyst, or allow her parents to manipulate her relationships. Logan’s fear is not merely that people will judge her for their crimes; she worries that part of their darkness may exist within her.
Responsibility: The Catalyst
The title of Catalyst is not simply an honor. Logan is responsible for protecting the world against mystical threats, preserving dangerous knowledge, monitoring supernatural disturbances, and preventing forbidden artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. She cannot easily ignore an occult mystery or refuse assistance to someone threatened by magic. Even when the Dark Society has other priorities, Logan feels compelled to investigate supernatural dangers before they can grow beyond control.
Relationship: Friends and Allies
Logan is particularly close to the American Crusader and Calavera. Her relationships with them provide emotional support, but enemies can also exploit those connections.
Quirk: Carries Everything Herself
Logan is accustomed to being the person others turn to when the impossible happens. She frequently takes too much responsibility upon herself, conceals her doubts, and continues working long after she should ask for help. Her magical knowledge can also make her impatient when teammates interfere with a ritual or underestimate the danger of an occult object. She knows how quickly one careless decision can become a catastrophe.
EQUIPMENT
Catalyst normally carries a Dark Society communicator along with a small selection of ritual components, protective charms, chalk, salt, and other minor magical supplies. Her extensive collection of grimoires, relics, enchanted objects, and specialized components is stored at Jenks. These items normally serve as narrative tools or provide justification for Omni-Power rather than functioning as permanent additional Powers. Some artifacts in Logan’s possession may temporarily provide unique abilities, but they are too dangerous, unreliable, or valuable to be carried routinely.
POINT ACCOUNTING
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Superhero Package | 50 |
| Ability Increases | 20 |
| Talent Increases | 18 |
| Powers | 56 |
| Perks | 6 |
| Total | 150 Hero Points |
Barry Reese - Writer of Badass heroes 