Mister Katonic
Background:
Mister Pickman Derby, a life-long friend of the great author H.P. Lovecraft used to discuss the occult at great lengths together, for as long as they'd known each other. Then one fateful day, the two began to do more than just theorize and dream of the realms beyond ours, but saught to discover them as well. With the aid of an ancient relic that Derby had come into possession of, they pierced the veil between worlds and awoke something with their ritual, and it pulled poor Pickman Derby in before collapsing into itself and closing. After this encounter, Lovecraft would go on to write what most people consider "Fictional Tales" of these strange places and 'Elder Things', based on his terrifying ordeal, but little do they realize that there is more truth to them than not. He even honored his friend, who he naturally assumed dead (or worse) in his stories by naming a couple characters after him.
What happened to him while lost on the "Miskatonic Plane" he has never said, only that it seemed that no more than a year had passed in his eyes, when actually one hundred had passed here before he found his way home again. Apparently having learned a great deal about Magic in his time away, he has returned to a world he doesn't recognize anymore, so naturally seeks what has become familiar to him... The strange and mysterious.
Appearance:
Mild-Mannered would be how most people would describe Mr. Derby's appearance, as he doesn't stand a very imposing figure at all. His pasty white skin, his slender frame, both accentuate his meek appearance, as does the out-dated style in which he dresses. Always seen wearing tinted specs and an old Bowler Hat, he still wears the same suits and clothing as he did at the time of his disappearance back in the early 1900's.
Despite his formal style of dress, he often-times has not shaved or groomed himself in days, and can appear as a bit 'scruffy' or rough around the edges.
Personality:
"I am occasionaly told I am an expert in the strange and unusual, yet I am more often told that I -am- 'strange' and 'unusual'..."
While he is your typical late Nineteenth Century Gentleman and well-mannered, Mr Derby tends to make people 'uncomfortable' if they spend too much time around him. Whether it's the odd things that often escape his lips or just a general feeling that surrounds him is unclear, but those who've spoken with him for longer than a few moments often say he is very off-putting to be around. That being said, he is very polite and respectful of others, though often times quiet and distant, preferring the company of his books more than other people.
Curiosity is a fatal flaw, and what caused him to be sucked into the Miskatonic Plane in the first place. Whenever something arises he cannot explain, Mr Derby is driven to understand it and will not rest until he does. Thankfully for him, he is quite intelligent and adept at research and problem solving, so few mysteries remain as such for long when he's delving into them.
Powers:
1. Magic- Through a connection to the "Miskatonic Plane" Derby is able to wield strange Magics originating from the Plane itself. Having spent a year lost in this twisted dimension, he somehow managed to survive and learned to manipulate the chaotic energies that flow through it, bending them to his will. When he escaped this Plane, he left a part of himself behind and that has maintained his connection to the other-world, and allows him to now come and go as he pleases.
2. Enhanced Strength and Toughness- Another side-effect of his time in the Miskatonic Plane is the physical transformation his body has undergone. The energies that flow through the nightmarish dimension have varying effects on Humans but seem to have tempered Mr. Derby's physical form into one that can withstand their damaging nature, thus making him moderately stronger and tougher than the usual Human.
3. Genius Level Intellect- Even before his encounters with the Elder Things that roam the Miskatonic Plane, Mr. Derby already possessed an extremely high IQ of 184 and is very well schooled. His areas of study ranging from History, Science, Math, and Physics extend to Literature, The Occult, and even Marine Biology for some strange reason.
4. Fear / Confusion Immunity- Yet another side-effect of his time in the Miskatonic Plane is Derby's apparent immunity to Fear, Confusion, and Stress. Spending a year where these things make up the very fabric of reality has obviously raised the bar as to what instills them in his mind.
Skills:
1. Occult Knowledge- Obsessed with the Occult growing up, Mr. Derby has studied every bit of lore and mythology he can get his hands on, and has amassed an enormous collection of books and tomes as a result. His personal collection contains several books of great power, including an original copy of 'The Mad Arab's' Necronomicon, The Book of Eibon 'Livre d’Eibon', Cultes des Goules by the Comte d’Erlette, The Pnakotic Manuscripts, and others.
2. Martial Arts Training- Has studied the arts of Kenpo, Judo, and Jujitsu and favors the fighting styles of the Orient as well as their meditative techniques such as Tai Chi. He finds the rigid structure of martial arts offsets the chaotic nature of his connection to the Miskatonic and allows him to achieve some semblances of balance in his life and work. Though skilled in the previously mentioned styles, he is far from a 'Master' of any, but can hold his own when needed.
3. Educated- Aside from his knowledge of the Occult, Mr. Derby is well-schooled as a man of his era would be expected to be, and knows a great deal about a great many things. World History, Chemistry, Biology, Advanced Mathematics, Physics, and more are all well-within his wheelhouse, and he has previously worked in Archaeology, Paleontology, and Anthropology.
Equipment:
Soundtrack:
The band Rudimentary Peni would provide the best soundtrack to Mister Katonic's life due to their incredibly chaotic sound and style and the experimental insanity and ramblings that so often occur in their songs. The band is also influenced by H.P. Lovecraft as their songs "Twitch" and "Lovecraft Baby" both reference the Author.
Rudimentary Peni - Cacophony (Full Album)
