Design Notes: A magic-user* and their cat is a very familiar trope (te he he) of Halloween–as well as another option for “Fur Therapy” for your superheroes, to go along with my super-hound sidekicks. Gemma is based very, very loosely on Salem from the various TV incarnations of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, as well as a few other conscious and unconscious influences from my decades of reading/watching all sorts of fantasy.
I used the Cat stats from the M&M 3e Gamemaster’s Guide (p. 134) as a starting point. Ability-wise, I changed very little, just upping Intellect considerably and Awareness slightly. Outside of the Potter-verse, most familiars seem to have some degree of preternatural intelligence and awareness. I also added 2 ways to communicate with the hero, again commonly depicted in the sources. Some familiars may only have either Language or Communication Link, but not both, depending on the flavor you are looking for, and/or GM input.
The Expertises are very unusual for an animal, but I have my reasons. Familiars sometimes do have extra mystical knowledge, particularly if there is a mentor aspect to the relationship, as with a very young talent and a “pet” that is much older than it appears. However, Expertise: Magic only means the familiar has knowledge. This Sidekick cannot cast any spells herself. Hence, the “No manipulative limbs” Complication. The Pop Culture and Current Events are a lighthearted touch–a familiar that likes to watch TV, surf the internet, and/or wander the neighborhood and eavesdrop on other people and so pick up all kinds of gossip and trivia–maybe even useful information.
*Yes, I like this term from (1e) AD&D and I will keep using it.
Feedback and Technical Editing: Empty Bacta Tank, from my online group.
GEMMA
Concept: Sassy feline familiar Power Level: 3/32pp
Sidekick Advantage Cost: 7pp*
*While Gemma’s own Communication Link is included, the PC must also pay 1 pp for their Communication Link power
Abilities (-3 pp): STR -4; STA -2; AGL 3; DEX -2; FGT 2; INT 0 ; AWE 2; PRE -2
Advantages (2 pp): Benefit 1 (Use Agility for Athletics checks)
Language 1 (hero’s native tongue, most likely English)
Skills (11 pp): Acrobatics 3, Athletics 3, Expertise: Current Events 2, Expertise: Magic 4, Pop Culture 2, Perception 4, Stealth 4
Powers (21 pp)
Mystical Sense (Magical Awareness, Radius)
Communication Link (with hero)*
Feline: Lowlight Vision, Shrinking 8 (Permanent, Innate)
Complication: No manipulative limbs–can’t write, gesture, etc. So no spellcasting!
Defenses
Dodge: 7
Parry: 6
Fortitude: 0
Toughness: -2
Will: 2
Linda Whitson
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