Friedrich grew up in a rather poor family (just enough money to survive but not to really buy anything extra) in Blackwater. The only really valuable thing they had is a golden ring with a family crest on it which was handed down each generation
but its meaning got lost over the time*. Friedrich now uses that ring as his arcane focus since it was giving to him by his parents.
His parents, over the years, saved enough money to send Friedrich to a school of magic in the capital since he alwayss wanted to learn magic.
While he was aways studying, his parents were accused of treason against the empire (maybe they actually did or not, Friedrich believes not but i leave that up to the dm).
During his time in school, Friedrich concentrated his studies on the element of fire. He certainly wasnt the best at what he did but he was considered a bit above average.
After around 10 years in school he got a letter from his uncle in which his uncle explains to him what just recently happened to his family and advised him to leave the capital as soon as possible.
He couldnt just believe what his uncle wrote him and so he made a trip to blackwater. And as he was standing at his familys grave, he swore to revenge them and to burn the empire down.
Friedrich started to travel north so he could get away fruther away from the empire for now. During his travels he heard rumors of anti empire poeple having a camp near jones harbor, thats where he went next to join their cause.