Haesteinn's father was a skraeling, an outsider or barbarian to the people of Eretejva. More specifically, he was a trader from Elbion. Twenty years ago the merchant council sent him to establish a trade route to the far flung and hostile tundra. He almost succeeded. His folly was Haesteinn's mother. Tall, Beautiful, and one of the greatest shield-maidens of Hjerim. While he never knew his mother, Haesteinn could never imagine why she would mate with his father: an alcoholic outsider with no combat experience and disdain for anyone not himself. According to his father he was different then, and his mother saw him as a way to continue her legacy through a child.

Haesteinn cared not for either of his parents. When he was born, his mother realized her mistake. Haesteinn had not been born with the svalen. What transpired in the room where he was born is unknown to everyone but his parents and shortly after, his father left with him to return to Elbion.

His father hardly raised him, leaving Haesteinn to his own devices. As a boy he wandered the streets as a petty criminal, eventually leading his own gang of miscreant children. At the age of 15, his father kicked him out. Haesteinn's criminal reputation had ruined his father's reputation as a merchant, and Haesteinn was exiled from the city along with the other children he led.

For three years he was the Bandit Boy of Amol-Kalit. He roamed the desert, raiding and pillaging caravans and innocent travelers all the same. It was at the age of 18 that Haesteinn found his calling. His gang ventured out in to the desert in search of prey, what they found instead was The Forbidden City.

It was as if the dead city called to them. A ghostly voice, unheard but somehow felt, calling them to their doom. Once they entered, it was as if they could not leave. Haesteinn and his gang entered the necropolis hoping for a treasure, but only found terror. For three days after the gargantuan sandstone doors sealed behind them, they were pursued by creatures of the night. The dead rose from their tombs, and within mere hours Haesteinn's friends were among their numbers. By the end of day one, only Haesteinn remained. By day two, Haesteinn had reached the deepest part of the crypt. By day three on the run, Haesteinn collapsed. He had no idea what saved him that day, but it called out to him through the void. An unimaginable horror, as large as the infinite void, yet benevolent. When the dead descended up his body, he awoke in the sand outside, almost unscathed and bathed in the golden sun. As he trudged through the desert alone that day, his waking nightmare became a fading dream.

For the last two years since his ordeal, Haesteinn has devoted himself as monster slayer for hire, hoping that he can use his knowledge and harrowing experience to save others from the fate his friends received.