When he was but four, Sven's family fled their homeland. They were Ulfen's living in land claimed (stolen, if you ask them) by the Jadwiga. When their Jarl foolishly spoke of rebellion openly, he was murdered and many of his people slain. Sven's parents, uncle and cousin were able to escape before the marauding fey summoned by the White Witches could complete their purging.
They eventually settled in Heldren, enjoying it's isolation. Sven's father, Varden, established himself as a carpenter of skill; having been a shipwright in the north, it was an easy transition. His brother Hefulf was a warrior however, and did not find Heldren so comfortable. He missed his life, and lacking a son of his own, decided Sven must be trained in the ways of the viking. This caused no end of conflict between between the brothers, but they finally agreed that as long as Sven stayed out of trouble and continued to help with his father's carpentry business, it was acceptable (and it gave Hefulf something to do besides drink).
Sven thus grew up split between two family traditions, which created his great drive to prove his worth and skill to both his father and uncle. Secretly he dreams of returning to the land of his birth and reclaiming his families lost lands even though he lacks any real knowledge of where they are or how he could do it. Barring that, he would at least like to become a warrior of reputation, like the great Ulfen heroes his uncles tells about in his songs, late at night by the fire. Since his mother died a year ago, the urge to adventure has grown even stronger, and when he is sure everyone else is asleeps he hums some of his uncles songs to himself while holding the spent hex nail his mother gave him as a keepsake when he was much younger. At least, when he isn't thinking about the red-headed Taldoran half-elf girl down the street...
