Borka is the chieftain of the Borka robber clan and the primary rival to Mattis, the leader of the opposing band of outlaws. He is the father of Birk and the husband of Undis. His background is defined by a long-standing feud with Mattis, which has deep roots. In their youth, Borka and Mattis were actually good friends, but this relationship was forbidden and forcibly ended by Mattis’s father, an act that cemented their lifelong enmity and the generational conflict between their two clans. As the story unfolds, Borka moves his clan into the northern side of the ancient fortress that Mattis claims as his own, a location they rename Borka’s Keep, in an effort to evade the king’s soldiers.

In terms of personality, Borka is depicted as a cruel, unforgiving, and shrewd individual. He shares many of the same traits as his rival Mattis, such as a fierce temper and a willingness to seize any advantage over his enemies, whether they are the sheriff’s men or Mattis’s robbers. However, where Mattis is loud and openly emotional, Borka is far more controlled and subdued. He tries to master his emotions and suppress irrational impulses, presenting a more calculating and reserved exterior than his boisterous counterpart. Despite this controlled demeanor, he is deeply concerned for his son’s welfare and becomes visibly distressed when Birk is taken captive. His relationship with his wife Undis appears strained and cool, with their body language often being standoffish, though he is assumed to love her.

Borka’s primary motivation is the survival and prosperity of his own clan, as well as maintaining his long-standing rivalry with Mattis. He is driven by a need to protect his family, particularly his son Birk, and is not above making harsh threats to ensure Birk’s safety. His role in the story is that of the initial antagonist and rival chieftain. He represents the opposing force to Mattis’s clan, and his group’s encroachment onto Mattis’s territory is the central conflict that drives the adult characters’ actions. He is a key figure in the generational cycle of revenge and hatred that the children, Ronja and Birk, ultimately seek to break.

Throughout the story, Borka’s relationship with Mattis evolves from bitter hostility to a grudging truce. The initial enmity is so strong that when Ronja offers herself as a ransom to free Birk, Borka quickly accepts the advantage, showing he cares little for Ronja’s welfare just as Mattis cares little for Birk’s. However, due to the persistent friendship between Ronja and Birk, and after a final fight to settle their dispute, Borka and Mattis eventually reconcile. In a significant development, Mattis acknowledges Borka’s son Birk as the next chief, demonstrating a full-circle moment from their past friendship to a new, unified future. Borka’s development shows a shift from a hardened, vengeful rival to a reluctant ally, highlighting the possibility of ending long-standing feuds.

Regarding notable abilities, Borka is a capable and strong leader of his robber band, skilled in the ways of survival, thievery, and combat, as expected of a chieftain. His primary strength, however, lies in his strategic and controlled mindset, which often allows him to act more rationally than his hot-headed rival, Mattis.