Background: Mahler's history is a little mysterious. He has no idea who his father was and believes his mother to have been attack by a Reaver while carrying him. He is certainly abnormal, standing well over 8 feet tall and posessing the strength of a dozen men. He was either abandoned or more likely sold to a shady promotor named Quick. Mr. Quick started with a travelling circus that was more like a sideshow. He had a number of Riven in his crew and would charge people to see them perform. Mahler was a strong man. Even as an adoslecent he was taller and stronger than most grown men. As an adult he was unprecedented. Eventually, riven became less popular as a spectacle and more a matter of disgust or horror. Times change and Quick changed with them. He dissolved the circus, leaving most of the performers stranded in Boothia. He kept Mahler, though, the prize of his retinue. Returning to their home ground of Tallon, Quick began billing Mahler as a wrestler.
Mahler was an easy-going individual, and went along with this scheme, trusting Quick's judgement. The only thing he stuck at was bringing along Sanyo, his friend from the Circus. Quick balked at first, since Sanyo was so badly riven that he was virtually useless. But he soon realized that Sanyo was a useful tool for controlling Mahler. Anything he needed Mahler to do could be phrased in terms of "protecting Sanyo".
Eventually Quick was exposed for illegally promoting an enhanced performer. Not a big deal, usually, but Quick was making book on Mahler's fights without revealiing that Mahler was enhanced.
Mahler now works part time for the River Master where he met Tira, Haiku, Persia and Hank. He spends the rest of his time helping his new friends and caring for Sanyo.
As a final note, Mahler has a first name, unusual for Merikians. His first name is Gustav. He knows of no connection to the ancient composer by that name and the coincidence is a mystery.

Personality: Mahler, like most really large powerful and simple people is gentle and kind. He does not need to be brutal or violent. He is fiercely protective of his friends. He has a great love for small animals.

Quote: "Aw, yer pretty strong for a little feller.”

Powers/Tactics: Mahler naturally relies on his tremendous strength in combat. He was trained as a wrestler and prefers unarmed combat. His typcal attack is to grab and squeeze his opponent. He tends to use as little force as is necessary to get the job done.

Appearance: Mahler stands eight feet in height. His physique shows many of the signs of clinical gigantism, with enlarged hands, feet, and jaw. Although he appears strong, his musculature is not highly exagerated, showing little of his incredible strength. Mahler is fair complexioned.

Game Notes: Mahler's Growth is built with a house rule that requires buying all of the things that growth gives you (and getting points for all the negatives like decreased DCV), and defining the growth as a special effect. The points in his character sheet are a bookkeeping figure.