Einar Haruldsoun

Einar Haruldsoun was the patriarch of a family of fishermen on Shetland. In 1875, a storm killed Haruldsoun's elder sons and badly injured his father-in-law, Olav Larsen, requiring Einar's remaining son, Rasmus to begin fishing with his father.

In 1876, after many months of recuperating, Olav was able to return to the ocean. Olav was familiar with the old legends and folklore of Shetland, and observed many of the old superstitions. While Rasmus enjoyed Olav's stories and indulged his superstitions, Einar was generally indifferent. When Olav told the story of a how a Njuggle killed his childhood friend, Andrew Grott, Einar directed them to haul in the fish without commenting on the tale.

It was a good season. In mid-July, in the face of a gathering storm, Einar ended the fishing trip early and ordered them to row back. The effort took much out of Olav. Hearing the old man cough, Rasmus' mother sent him to his Aunt Sinnie for cough liquor. Magnus joined him. On the next fishing trip, Magnus and Rasmus told Olav, Einar, and the other family members that they also had an encounter with the Njuggle, and were able to kill it with the help of the charm Olav gave Rasmus.