A.R.G.U.S. Threat Report
- CodeName: The White Witch (registered Sentinel name)
- Place of Origin: Budapest, Hungary (Claimed, Unverified)
- Real/Birth Name: Genovefa Bébinn (stated - unproven)
- Real Identity Status: Real Identity - Unknown; "Rosa Palvin" identity - Confided)
- Age/Apparent Age: Early-20s (true age unknown, suspected ancient)
- Height: 5'8" (true height unknown)
- Gender: Female (true gender unknown, presumed female)
- Category/Occupation: Hero
- Superhero Affiliations: The Sentinels
- Real Identity Affiliations: Looker Model Agency
- Power Set: Magic
- Power Origin: Unknown (presumed magical heritage)
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
In her "natural" appearance Genovefa is a strikingly beautiful woman seemingly in her early 20s with pale skin and silver-white hair and eyes. She favours striking make-up (which appears to be magical in nature rather than cosmetically applied). When they first met Genovefa her "garments" were simply a glamorous black mini-dress, but since being given the nickname "White Witch" by Wyrmhole (see Other Notes) has taken to wearing a black, shoulder-feathered corset-dress with boots that very much fits with the imagery of a witch. As it seems she can change her clothing (and when desired, her appearance) at will, she regularly changes her outfit, dressing for effect and appears to have a good eye for modern fashion. Her physique shows her to be in good physical shape as a seeming result of regular exercise.
As Rosa Palvin she looks like an equally attractive, but more "normal" female in her early 20s. She has a east-European complexion and medium-brown hair and favours softer make-up styles. Whilst she still appears to be physically fit, in this form it is less obviously pronounced. When working Rosa is fond of skirted suits or attractive dresses of styles appropriate for her occupation or whatever best effects her current situation. Again, the ability to change her clothing, appearance and cosmetics at a whim allows her to adapt her style at a whim - although it is extremely rare than any style she wears does not look stunning on her (either as a "girl next door" subtle beauty, or blantanly sultry vamp).
As pointed out, Genovefa has the ability to change her appearance to any humanoid form she wishes at a whim, or alter fine points of her cosmetic appearance - so variations of her normal/Rosa's appearance, or entirely new looks are common (especially if she is trying to be unnoticed, or highly noticeable) when she feels the desire - though this tends to be done "as required" and her normal "white witch" or "Barbara Palvin" appearances tend to be the norm.
Background
Genovefa does not talk about her background, and finding information about her is nigh-impossible. She makes little secret of the fact that she does not age and has been around for a long time, but does not talk about her origins. The best guesstimate that Sophie Anderson has made based on Genovefa's claimed country of origin, and that Genovefa once stated vulgar Latin was the common tongue of her youth, it would make Genovefa at least 1100 years old. Of course as Genovefa appears well versed in languages and history, she could once again simply be lying...
Personality
Genovefa is mercurial but extremely easy to get along with, not easily fazed by anyone's attitude towards her and adapts her social style depending on who she speaks to and her intent (especially when she takes on a "persona"). She is a master manipulator who seems to think that any means (including using deception, coercion, guilt and emotional blackmail) justifies the end (assuming she feels the end is justifiable) but balances the end means with the collateral damage. That is to say, if something is important she will use a "dubiously ethical" measure to achieve it, possibly gaining someone's emnity in the process (though she will usually have changed her look to "a disposable form" so this means little) but would not (at least, has not of yet) done anything that would cause permanent harm within the Sentinels, for some benefit to her or the team. She has shown to have a mischievous side and a love for the arts (especially music and dance). She seems especially fond of children, and she always appears to enjoy making time to play with them (though Mongrel once joked that perhaps she simply is buttering them up and getting ready to throw them in her oven to cook and then eat them).
Motivation: Unknown
Genovefa has not seen fit to share why she has allied herself with the Sentinels. She pretty much appeared out of nowhere and helped them, then insisted on joining the group. Most Sentinels doubt she does it out of a sense of compassion, and considering her mischievous nature reason that she probably "does it for the kicks." Although most of the Sentinels have at least some mistrust of her (mostly because of her deceptive nature and mysterious, secret background), she has done nothing to make anyone doubt that she firmly desires to protect Emerald City and help the Sentinels. So the sentinels trust her intentions, if not her manner.
Secret Identity
Genovefa has a government-registered identity as Rosa Palvin, a (allegedly) Hungarian-born model from Budapest (and occasional actress) who lives in Emerald City's Royal Heights. Rosa is a popular rising star in the modelling industry who frequents many social events and has been known to date high-society, or socially/politically reputable people (which cynics in the Sentinels have pointed out seems to expand her network of connections). Rosa is managed by the Looker model agency.
Genovefa did not originally feel a need to come up with a superhero codename as she stated that she had no need to conceal her identity - but in practice she maintains a secret identity in reverse in order to keep her Rosa Palvin identity separate from the attention her Sentinel identity receives. She claims that if the public were to learn that the White Witch and Rosa Palvin were the same person, Rosa would receive undue attention and therefore "lose her usefulness" and need to be discarded. She claimed to have "put too much time and effort into setting up Rosa to abandon her without purpose." This indicates to her Sentinel team-mates that neither the White Witch nor Rosa Palvin are her true identities, which does not help garner any trust.
Of course, as a master manipulator and shape-changer, she could easily be holding any number of other secret lives that the Sentinels are unaware of.
Other Notes
Codename
Her codename was actually originally coined by Wyrmhole and Genovefa originally objected to it, stating she was not a witch. The codename issue was left undecided (and Genovefa uncommitted) until Wyrmhole publicly referred to her in the media as the White Witch and thanks to the media it stuck. Genovefa was bemused by this, and has committed to the role with aplomb. Most of the sentinels simply call her Genovefa amongst themselves, or White Witch when in public.
Combat Style
Genovefa wields deception in combat like another weapon and to good effect. As a sorceress, she can employ a range of mystical effects such as blasts of mystic or elemental energy - but seems to prefer to avoid direct combat. She states that whilst she knows offensive spells, that she was not a "War Wizard" (coining an expression from Wyrmhole). Genovefa's best weapon is deception and her ability to enchant others (whether by raw sexual appeal and seduction or magical enchantment) and so is most likely in combat to try to cause chaos amongst the enemy and enchant others to aid her, cause confusion in the enemy or support allies.
Because of her telepathic abilities, to (some) others' chagrin, Genovefa excels at assuming a leadership/coordinator role in combat - usually creating a telepathic link with her teammates to allow them to converse mentally with each other with her effectively functioning as a "mental switchboard" (usually with her "giving directions") for her team-mates. Without/despite this, Genovefa is not a natural team player and tends to mentally give out commands with an expectation of being listened to. A few Sentinels have grumbled about this, but Genovefa is so charismatic and charming (and inevitably correct) that they usually do as she says and find it hard to hold a grudge. Whilst team-mates can refuse to form part of this link (she states that it must be joined by choice), they find that if they refuse Genovefa tends to "forget" about them in combat (and thus provide less support). If challenged about this, she will simply state that if someone does not trust her and the team enough to want to work together cohesively, then they should not complain when they get exactly what they desired.
If approached in close combat, Genovefa is physically in good shape and both stronger and more inhumanly resilient to damage than she seems - presumably the result of magical enchantment (see signature items). As this is not broadcast or obvious (especially when in an alternate appearance - she retains her physical capabilities even if appearing as a young, sickly child) she enjoys using this to her advantage and has shown to be a surprisingly competent and experienced fighter that in training has shown proficiency with most weapons, although is notably best when fighting unarmed (she states that Sorcerers like to have their hands free in combat). Despite this, she normally relies on close-ranged magical effects over martial skill and weapons.
Social Style
Ironic for someone who relies heavily on deception, the best way to curry Genovefa's favor is to be honest and trustworthy. Teammates who show trust in her and her abilities, working with her (especially with her mental communication links) quickly find her a very staunch ally. Those who make the effort to try to understand (or at least accept) her odd personality will go a long way - which is ironic as she is so secretive about her own real identity and background. Regarding her trustworthiness, Genovefa only claims "I never lie and I'm always honest. Unless I'm not." So far, she appears to have stuck to her word whenever she gives it and proven loyal to the Sentinels as a group, and their mission, if not to specific individuals. Some have said her attitude makes her hard to trust, but Wyrmhole has argued that "she gives you loyalty in exchange for trust, although does nothing to endear it - you have to make a leap of faith."
Signature Powers & Special Abilities
As Genovefa keeps her origins, abilities and powers secretive it is impossible to state the full extent of her abilities. As a sorceress she has theoretically no limits to the amount of rituals or spells she can reproduce given time and preparation. Her three key abilities, however, revolve around her ability to change her form (Shapeshifting), limited Telepathy and Enchantment, and traditional Sorcery spells.
Some of the most common abilities she has been observed doing are:
- Inhuman damage resilience
- Fast healing (possible link to age longevity if true?)
- Shapeshifting
- Change shape into any humanoid form (and hold indefinitely)
- Create and alter her clothing or cosmetic appearance
- Telepathy
- Ability to detect/sense minds at a distance
- Detect surface thoughts of anyone she can perceive
- Create short-range (100 ft) mental communication link with willing others.
- Tactile mind control (enchantment)
- Sorcery
- Dispel magical effects
- Magical and Elemental blasts
- Scrying
- Illusions
- Conjuration
- Transmutation
- Ability to conjure/transform vehicles (suspected - see signature equipment)
Genovefa has also displayed mystical or enhanced senses. Whilst she has never written down or otherwise explained the limits of her capabilities, she has been documented doing (or what appears to be) the following:
- Ability to see in the dark
- Ability to sense magical effects
Spells or Magical Items?
It is known that Genovefa can create temporary and permanent magical items. As such it is thought that some of the above-listed powers may have been temporary effects, or the result or magical items she has created.
Signature Equipment & Gear
- Black Garments: Genovefa's clothing appears to morph either with or independently of her, taking the form of whatever clothing she desires although its default/signature form appears to be that of a black, medieval-style corset dress adorned with raven's feathers. It is suspected that the clothing may have magical protective enchantments.
- Psychic Passport: normally blank piece of paper approximately the size of a driver's license, which shows what the viewer expects to see (e.g. id card, driver's license or security permit). She uses this to aid her taking on personas, in case they need to provide any kind of identification.
- Seemingly endless array of (usually expensive) vehicles. It is theorised that Genovefa may either just have one summonable vehicle that she can alter the appearance of (as she does herself and her clothing), or that she might conjure them. She tends to assign a different vehicle type to each persona she uses and disappear when she has no further use for them.
- Neck Choker: Genovefa always wears a necklace - it's form may change when she morphs, but seems to have a default form of being a black velvet, intertwining "tattoo" loop neck choker with a pair of silver eyes on it.
Neck Choker
Genovefa never takes off this choker, which is believed to be a magical Talisman, or is willing to discuss why - arguing it is personal (not that she reveals much about anything else) or downplaying it. Dragoneye has stated that he recognises the eyes and pattern as possibly being the "Eyes of Idolon" - traditionally symbolised in occult depictions as a pair of glowing eyes in darkness or shadow. He believes the loop tattoo pattern resembles/symbolise shadow and the eyes are identical to the occult depictions. As Idolon is an otherworldly being that Mages call upon for concealment and illusion magic, he believes that the necklace grants her concealment from magical detection (and possibly powers her illusion magic) - which may explain why despite being a Sorceress, he finds it hard to detect her magically unless she is actively casting a spell (and then, he detects her spell, not Genovefa herself). This of course begs the question of whether it is just another aid to her ability to shapechange and infiltrate (assisting in overcoming magical detection) or whether she is hiding from someone or something. And if so... what kind of magical being has this powerful sorceress scared enough to want to hide from it?
Signature Quotes
- "Why does it matter so much to you what I am? In the words of Popeye: I am what I am, and that's all that I am."
- Conversation with Wyrmhole
- Wyrmhole: "You need a codename! Something to do with magic - and White!"
- Genovefa: "Why white?"
- Wyrmhole: "Because... um... you have white hair and eyes and you make an englishman look tanned?"
- Genovefa: "But I can change my appearance on a whim."
- Wyrmhole: "You have to keep one look. You can't really be a public member of the Sentinels if no-one knows what you look like!"
- Genovefa: "But you wear a mask, so no-one knows what YOU look like?"
- Wyrmhole: "That's NOT the point! Besides... good or powerful magicians always have white as a colour. It indicates goodness!"
- Genovefa: "So I'm good?"
- Wyrmhole: "Aren't you?"
- Genovefa: *Silence*
- Wyrmhole: "Well... you're a Sentinel... one of the good guys... so at least people should believe you're a good guy!"
- Genovefa: "That's a fair point. I do want to gain the trust of the populace. So... White Magician?"
- Wyrmhole: "Risky... Wonder Woman fought a demon called the White Magician once... we don't want people... or HER... getting confused and thinking you're the demon."
- Genovefa: "That would probably be best. White Wizard?"
- Wyrmhole: "Only if you want people to nickname you Gandalf! Or Saruman. One good, one bad, both male. Both old. You want something sexier."
- Genovefa: *sighs in exasperation* "White Sorceress?"
- Wyrmhole: "Mouthful. How about White Witch?"
- Genovefa: "I'm not a witch. I'm a Sorceress, or alternately mage, magician or even wizard. I cast true sorcery, not witch's hexes."
- Wyrmhole: "But no-one other than you knows that!"
- Genovefa: "But it's just silly... and has little actual truth to it."
- Wyrmhole: "Oh come on! Yes it does... all you have to do is make yourself look a little asian and you're just like the White-haired Witch from Forbidden Kingdom! Hmmm... though they also call her the White-haired Demoness in other movies..."
- Genovefa: "My dear Stephanie... in all my years, I don't think I have ever met a person as desperately in need of a life as you. You're adorable."
- Wyrmhole: "Does that mean you like it? So White Witch it is then?"
- Genovefa: "No."
Gallery
Genovefa's natural appearance
Genovefa changing her appearance
Genovefa's appearance as Rosa Palvin