Doctor Werner Krieger was always a little different. Growing up as an orphan would be difficult and isolating for anyone, but Krieger, as he liked to be called, was much different from the others. He was vastly intelligent, in ways beyond the comprehension of most of his peers. Then, of course... there were his urges.
They started out as simple flashes of anger. Krieger quickly learned to control them, but they grew in potency at he got older. Rather than completely shut them down, Krieger learned to channel the anger away from hot flashes to slow burns... which in the long run made him far more dangerous.
Growing up in the Turandarok Academy was difficult for Krieger. He had few friends his own age, but the Headmaster, Ilosari Gandethus, took an interest in young Krieger. Ilosari, a former adventurer, saw the spark of potential in Krieger and decided to become his mentor. Ilosari was skilled with arcane magic and new a couple of tricks of legerdemain as well. Krieger's talents didn't run that way, but Ilsoari was versatile enough to guide his brilliant young student anyway.
Krieger effortlessly mastered the the standard lessons that Ilsoari offered the other children of Sandpoint, and displayed an aptitude for alchemy. Ilsoari got his hands on enough books and practical knowledge to provide a base for Krieger, and the following years were the happiest of Krieger's life.
Eventually, Krieger proved so adept that he won a scholarship to the Stone of the Seers, the most prestigious academy of the arcane arts in Magnimar.
The night before he left was the first time the Change occurred.
Sandpoint was, at the time, in terror of the serial killer known as the Chopper, and in a dark alley, while Kreiger was making his way home via a shortcut after a night out with some of his few friends, he was accosted by a man with a knife.
Krieger had never been in a real fight before, and his reaction to violence was immediate and impressive. His body changed, growing more powerful and more porcine, sporting tusks and hooves. He fought off his attacker, who ran away. Krieger, shocked and frightened and exhausted, collapsed in the alley, eventually returning to his normal state.
Krieger left the next day without telling anyone what had occurred. He looked into it in his time at the Stone of the Seers. Krieger believes he is not fully human, and in the process of his research, he has unlocked alchemical secrets and discovered how to bring about great changes within himself.
Krieger has also discovered that Sandpoint may hold the ruins of an ancient civilization called Thassilon. Krieger hopes to unearth arcane knowledge from that civilization and perhaps utilize it to discover more about himself... and even create others like him. That is what is bringing Krieger back to Sandpoint. He has finished his training at the Stone of the Seers, becoming a doctor as well as a powerful alchemist, and is ready to further his own personal research and goals.
Anything to fill the loneliness he feels. Anything to feel like he belongs.
