Ronia, the Robber's Daughter characters

Also known as Ronja

Appears from the start

The only child of the robber chief Mattis and his wife, Lovis, born in their mountain stronghold during a violent storm. She grows into an independent, strong-willed girl whose curiosity draws her beyond the fort and into the surrounding forest.

Also known as Mattis

Appears from the start

Ronia's father and the exuberant chief of a band of robbers. He is devoted to his newborn daughter, proud of his stronghold, and accustomed to receiving unquestioned loyalty from his men.

Appears from the start

Ronia's capable and steady mother. She runs the domestic life of the robber stronghold, meets danger without panic, and balances Mattis's impulsive displays with practical judgment.

Also known as Skalle-Per

Appears from the start

The oldest member of Matt's band, physically frail but rich in memory and woodland knowledge. He is affectionate toward Ronia and speaks to her more frankly than most of the adults in the fort.

Also known as Birk Borkason

First appears in chapter 6

The son of the rival robber chief Borka and a child close to Ronia's age. Bold, agile, and proud, he occupies the other side of the divided fort with his family and initially trades challenges and insults with Ronia across Hell's Gap.

First appears in chapter 6

The chief of the rival robber band and Birk's father. He has moved his people into the unoccupied half of the old fort, escalating a long rivalry with Matt over territory, pride, and leadership.

First appears in chapter 6

Birk's mother and Borka's formidable partner. She shares the rival band's new quarters in the divided fort and is protective of her son amid the hostility between the two robber families.