Werner Von Croy is a renowned archaeologist and a character in The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness. He also is Lara's former mentor.
Biography[]
Born in Vienna, Austria on May 21st, 1940. His father, the curator of the city museum, introduced him to ancient artifacts that so possessed his later life. He begin his explorations at an early age to glean items for the museum.
At the University of Salzburg, Von Croy had a Ph.D. in archaeology. He also earned a Ph.D. in musicology at the University of Vienna. Sometime later, he met Lord Croft through his father, and it was then that he requested to guide Croft's daughter Lara through her first exploration.
When Lara was 16, Von Croy took her on a journey to Angkor Wat in Cambodia for her very first adventure. Werner wanted to find an old artifact "Iris" which was hidden in the temple and despite Lara's warnings that removing it could be dangerous, he stubbornly tries to take it resulting in his right leg being severely injured and having to use a walking stick afterwards. Croft reluctantly abandons Von Croy in order to escape (she would have been crushed to death by falling rocks if she tried to rescue him).[1]
Some years later, Lara steals the Iris from Von Croy's high-tech American business headquarters called Von Croy Industries (VCI).[2]
They meet again several years later, now as enemies, seeking the Amulet of Horus. During the game, Von Croy is possessed by Set, making his and Lara's rivalry grow even larger. When he tries to save her life at the end, Lara hesitates, as she believes he isn't trustworthy, and is apparently killed, and the game ends with Von Croy paying his respects to her.[1]
It is later revealed that Von Croy and a digging team found Lara's backpack in the ruins, indicating the possibility of her survival.[3]
Between the events of The Last Revelation and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Lara and Von Croy have an encounter which is not featured in the games. They once again disagree mostly about the events in Egypt and become enemies.
Death[]
Von Croy later relocated to Paris, settling in a penthouse apartment. He was contracted by a mysterious individual named Pieter Van Eckhardt to find the last two of five Obscura Paintings, all of which are 15th century images thought to be linked to alchemy and the dark arts. Von Croy was able to track the location of the fourth painting beneath the Louvre from the Obscura engravings, exchanging information of this discovery with former Lux Veritatis member Mathias Vasiley, an art dealer, historian, and fellow professor, who already found the first three. However, he became engulfed with fear when he learned the truth of Eckhardt's evil plans for the paintings.
Despite his and Lara's anonymity, he manages to invite the latter to his apartment in Paris for help, which Lara accepts. Upon arrival, the two discuss the work wherein Von Croy reveals how much Paris has been gripped with fear over a serial killer called the Monstrum, which harvests body parts and leaves strange symbols painted in the victims' blood in the wake.
An argument ensues wherein Von Croy advises Lara to visit his colleague and friend Margot Carvier for more help. However, as they continue to argue on the matter, an unknown force breaches the apartment and knocked Lara unconscious. The force, revealed to be Eckhardt, manhandles and interrogates Von Croy about the painting's location; the latter reveals that although he found the painting, he never collected it, claiming the task to be extremely dangerous, but states Lara herself will be able to do the job for him. Eckhardt murders Von Croy, causing Lara to be the prime suspect.
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 Villains
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Games Tomb Raider II Tomb Raider III Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Tomb Raider: Chronicles Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword Tomb Raider: The Prophecy Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Tomb Raider: Legend Tomb Raider: Anniversary Tomb Raider: Underworld Tomb Raider (2013) Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Rise of the Tomb Raider Shadow of the Tomb Raider Movies Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life Tomb Raider | ||