View source for Kathrin Summerdale

[[File:Kathrin summerdale portrait.jpg|thumb|Kathrin Summerdale in 2023]]
Kathrin Summerdale (* April 1st, 2007) is a British witch and the child of Amanda and Reginald Summerdale. She is a protagonist in Powers Within.

== Personality ==
Having been sheltered by her mother for most of her life, Kathrin is a relatively timid person who prefers to remain indoors where she feels safe. Many aspects of living among [[Magi]] scare her. However, she eventually begins to open up and rediscover her curiosity. She is a kinesthetic learner and often struggles with remaining attentive during class, especially if the subject is very theoretical. However, she is extremely quick with picking up on things she can actively learn, such as [[spells]].

== Appearance ==
Kathrin has relatively pale skin, brown eyes and brown hair, which she typically wears in a braid. A few freckles dot her cheeks.

== Visvalker ==
Kathrin is a [[Visvalker]], meaning she has a subconscious connection to spirits of other [[Mundi]]. She is extremely quick to pick up new spells, has learnt to cast simple spells without using a wand within the first few days of her attending magic school and can intricately manipulate the magic within and around herself by just willing it, something which is normally difficult to learn, even for seasoned Magi. Kathrin being a Visvalker is especially unusual as not only is she not the only Visvalker currently alive, but she actually has befriended [[Lycia Wintergale]], who is another Visvalker.

== Personal History ==
Kathrin spent the first few years of her life at her aunt [[Grace Summerdale|Grace]] house where she lived with her parents. Kathrin loved to play in the estate's big, magical garden. When she was 5 years old, she was abducted by a group of criminals who supposedly tried to blackmail her father, a Magi who worked as liaison between the British government and the [[Society of Magic]], into revealing governmental secrets. However, Reginald's clearance was far from high enough to even hope to obtain such secrets.

However, his connections and sloppy work by the kidnappers eventually allowed him to track them down and have them apprehended. Luckily, Kathrin was unharmed and hardly realized what had actually happened. Scared of further attempts, her parents decided to leave the magic society behind and live among Mundanes instead. Being a [[Dormant]] with no magical powers of her own, Kathrin's mother was able to fit in easily. She forbade all contact with [[Grace Summerdale|Grace]] or any other family member and kept her daughter well sheltered. When her father was promoted and transferred to another department, his new job caused him to only be home on weekends and thus unable to counter his wife's anxiety. Kathrin also received an enchanted plush owl designed to create nice dreams and capable of suppressing memories, which she used to forget the trauma of her kidnapping.

In addition, her school was unable to properly support Kathrin's needs for active studying, resulting in her grades being less than average.

As is not unusual for her family, Kathrin's powers awakened later than usual, around her 16th birthday. As a result of exam nerves, she unknowingly transmuted the entire content of a school bus' diesel tank into water. This got the attention of the [[Magistry]] who enrolled her at the [[Greannmhar]] School of Magick. On the way to the school she met [[Lycia Wintergale]] and became friends with her.

A few weeks into her first school year, Kathrin reconnected with her aunt [[Grace Summerdale|Grace]] and met with her in [[Glenmoor]]. On the way back she drank from a water bottle which [[Lycia]] had given her. Unbeknownst to both of them, someone had added essence of mandragora into the bottle. This induced a state of confusion in Kathrin who wandered aimlessly into the forest and got severely lost.

This is where she met a female [[Blue Moon Owl]] who chose to become her [[familius]]. Having always loved barn owls and snow owls, the presence of the animal calmed Kathrin. With the help and guidance of her new friend, whom she named Rea, Kathrin eventually encountered Storm and was led to a group of teachers who were searching for her.

During her first year at Greannmhar, Kathrin eventually decided to regain her memories. After doing so, she relapsed into the memories, believing herself to be five years old again, but recovering after a few days.

== Special Talents ==
After regaining her memories, Kathrin also regained a very unusual which she likely already possessed as a child, even before her magic abilities surfaced. This talent allows her to detailledly sense the needs and condition of plants. While this ability has occurred in her family before, it has never been this keen before. This ability also has a drawback, however, as Kathrin now finds it unpleasant to be in an environment entirely without plant life.

== Wand ==
Kathrin's wand takes the shape of a spiral grip with a flower bud on one hand, and a crystal on the other. When casting magic, the crystal will glow and lights will apear above the bud. As her skills develop, the flower grows a stem and begins to bloom.

The blank for the wand was made from rowan wood, which is associated with protection, wisdom and personal growth. Its enchanting properties support her as she develops her skills and comes into her own as practicioner of magic.

The wood is imbued with the essence of a moonflower, a small, shining crystal bead that develops at the core of a moonflower's blossom. It forms only when dew collecting in the blossom is hit by the light of the full moon, when the flower blooms. Moonflowers symbolize the growth and transformation that occurs in darkness or challenging times. The essence imbues the wand with qualities that encourage adaptability, growth and resilience, supporting Kathrin on her journey of self-discovery and magical development.

== Trivia ==
* Although she has a vastly different personality, Kathrin is sometimes compared to [[Morgain la Fée]] as she displays a similar aptitude for magic. She does not appreciate this.