This is a list of major and minor characters in S. M. Stirling's Emberverse series of post-apocalyptic, alternate-history novels.
Bearkillers
Mike Havel: A former US Marine and pilot, Mike is flying a plane carrying the Larsson family to their vacation home in Montana at the time of "the Change". He leads the Bearkillers (named for the black bear he kills when it attacks their camp), and takes the group from Idaho to the Willamette Valley. Mike reluctantly accepts the title of "Lord Bear" when it is given to him by Astrid. A fair man, he is dangerous to his enemies. Mike dislikes being a hero, but enjoys being in charge. He provokes Arminger into a duel to save his people, and the men kill each other. Kenneth Larsson: The Larsson patriarch, a wealthy industrialist and amateur engineer whose wife is killed shortly after the Change by white supremacists. Grateful to Mike for saving his children, Ken acknowledges him as their leader. His engineering expertise helps the Bearkillers develop a siege engine and farming tools. Ken loses a hand to Duke Iron Rod when the Duke attacks the Bearkillers. He has trouble adapting to the Change, thinking that Earth is doomed because there is no way to stop a meteor from hitting the planet. Ken is Eric, Signe, and Astrid's father, later marrying Pamela and siring several more children. He believes that aliens caused the Change. Signe Larsson: Ken's daughter and Eric and Astrid's sister, Signe was a vegetarian before the Change but now eats whatever she can to survive. She marries Mike, and is called "Lady Bear". Signe handles the Bearkillers' intelligence-gathering before she becomes regent after Mike's death. Although she is wary of Rudi, fearing that he will use his position as Mike's son to become Lord Bear (and take away the position for her son), she donates blood to save his life. Signe becomes a neopagan, drawn to the Norse pantheon of her Swedish ancestry. She is the mother of Ritva, Mary, Mike Jr., unidentified twin girls (fathered by Mike), and an unidentified child whom Eric Larsson assumes is fathered by Bjarni Eriksson. Eric Larsson: Signe and Astrid's brother and Ken's son, Eric thinks of Mike as an older brother but is jealous of the attention he pays to his sister. Usually commanding the Bearkiller cavalry in battle, he is headstrong and quick to anger. Eric teases Astrid for her love of The Lord of the Rings. He is married to Luanne, and has several children. By CY (Change Year) 22, Eric commands the Bearkiller military. Leading the Meeting's attempt to capture Pendleton, he loses a hand and earns the sobriquet "Ironfist" for his prothesis (and leadership). Will Hutton: An African-American horseman who had competed in several rodeos in and around Texas, Will and his family are captured by white supremacists after the Change. Mike frees them, and they become founding members of the Bearkillers; Will is Mike's second-in-command, and his horsemanship molds the Bearkillers' cavalry. He declines several offers by Mike to make him leader of the Bearkillers. After Mike's death, Will leads the group before Signe replaces him. In Dies the Fire, he has a son serving with the US military in Italy. Angelica Hutton: Will's wife and Luanne's mother, Angelica becomes the Bearkiller trail boss and head of logistics when they settle in Oregon. She sprinkles her conversation with Spanish words, which rubs off on the other Bearkillers. Luanne Hutton: Will and Angelica's daughter, Luanne is Astrid's friend until Astrid becomes jealous of her relationship with Eric (whom she marries). Luanne (part of the Bearkiller high command) usually accompanies Eric into battle, and they have several children. Pamela Arnstein: A California veterinarian and Renaissance reenactor, Pamela is stranded in Idaho after the Change. One of the Bearkillers' first recruits, her knowledge of swordsmanship makes her a useful addition. Pamela marries Ken, and commands his bodyguards when he leads the Bearkiller siege train into battle. Aaron Rothman: A doctor rescued by Mike from a band of cannibals after they cut off his foot for food, Aaron trains the Bearkiller medics and usually travels with the army to care for the wounded. Aaron has an unrequited crush on Mike, and all his boyfriends resemble the Bearkiller leader. Mike Havel Jr.: Mike and Signe's son, Mike Jr. is groomed by his mother to become the next Lord Bear. After saving Eric's life outside Pendleton, he is promoted and offered the chance to become Lord Bear. Mike Jr. declines, saying that he has more to learn from his mother and uncle. He admires his brother, Rudi McKenzie. Astrid Larsson: Signe and Eric's sister, and Eilir Mackenzie's blood sister.