Character guide

Sophie Rouminof

major

Also known as Sophie, XIII Sophie, young Sophie Rouminof, XI Sophie

A young woman whose beauty and restless spirit unsettle the opal fields, she draws men toward her while guarding a private grief she cannot name.

Michael Brady

major

Also known as Michael, Brady, Only Michael, VI Michael, VII Michael

An opal miner of fierce integrity and buried longing, he dreams of a perfect black stone while the Ridge's code and his own silence close around him.

Potch

supporting

Also known as V Potch, XIII Potch, Dear Potch

A steady, self-effacing miner who loves Sophie with a humility so complete it asks nothing back, even as his father's return threatens the life he has built.

John Armitage

supporting

Also known as Mr. Armitage, John Lincoln Armitage, Armitage, old Armitage

A wealthy syndicate man who reads other men's secrets too easily, he arrives on the Ridge offering reorganisation and carrying suspicions he intends to use.

Paul

minor

Also known as Paul the opals

A miner associated with the opal fields.

Charley Heathfield

supporting

Also known as Charley, Charlie, XV Charley, Good old Charley

A charming, shiftless miner whose easy affections mask a betrayer's instinct, his return to the Ridge revives an old shame his son has tried to bury.

Martha M'Cready

minor

Also known as Martha

A local woman with ties to the mining community.

Dawe Armitage

minor

Also known as Dawe P. Armitage, Old man Armitage

An older member of the Armitage family.

Arthur Henty

supporting

Also known as Henty, Art, Mrs. Arthur Henty, old Henty

A young man of passionate devotion whose love for Sophie becomes an all-consuming desperation, he stands at the edge of a choice no one around him foresees.

George Woods

minor

Also known as George, Mrs. George Woods, Mrs. Woods

A resident of the opal-mining area.

Jun Johnson

minor

Also known as Jun, Johnson, But Jun

A young man in the mining community.

Watty Frost

minor

Also known as Watty, IV Watty, V Watty, Mrs. Watty Frost

A miner and local character.

Bully Bryant

minor

Also known as Bully

A rough and aggressive miner.

Maud Johnson

minor

Also known as Maud

A young woman in the community.

Snowshoes

minor

Also known as Probably Snowshoes

A miner known by his nickname.

Maggie Grant

minor

Also known as Grant, Maggie

A woman in the mining community.

Archie Cross

minor

Also known as Archie, Mrs. Archie Cross

A member of the Cross family.

Phyllis Chelmsford

minor

Also known as Phyllis

A visitor or newcomer to the area.

James Henty

minor

A member of the Henty family.

Peter Newton

minor

Also known as Newton, Peter

A miner in the opal fields.

Mirry Flail

minor

Also known as Mirry, young Flail

A young person in the mining settlement.

Roy O'Mara

minor

Also known as Roy

A character associated with the opal fields.

Ed Ventry

minor

Also known as Ed, Ted, old Ventry

An older miner.

Mrs. Rouminof

minor

Also known as Rouminof

Sophie's mother or relative.

Ella Flail

minor

Also known as Ella, little Ella

A young girl in the settlement.

Mrs. Newton

minor

Also known as Newton

Peter Newton's wife.

Andrew M'Intosh

minor

Also known as Mr. Andrew M'Intosh

A local figure in the area.

Sam Nancarrow

minor

Also known as Sam

A miner.

Polly Henty

minor

Also known as Polly, Mary

A woman from the Henty family.

Rummy

minor

A miner with a nickname.

Bat M'Ginnis

minor

Also known as M'Ginnis, Bat

A miner in the community.

Bill Olsen

minor

Also known as Old Bill Olsen, old Olsen, Old Olsen

An older miner.

Ted Cross

minor

Also known as Ted, Mrs. Ted Cross, Cross

A member of the Cross family.

Bill Grant

minor

Also known as Bill

A miner.

Cash Wilson

minor

Also known as Cash

A miner.

Elizabeth Henty

minor

Also known as Elizabeth

A member of the Henty family.

Mother M'Cready

minor

Also known as Mother

Martha M'Cready's mother.

Beeswing

minor

A horse or a character with this nickname.

Bill M'Gaffy

minor

Also known as old Bill M'Gaffy

An older miner.

Ella Bryant

minor

Also known as Ella

A woman related to Bully Bryant.

Nina Henty

minor

Also known as Nina

A member of the Henty family.

Chassy Robb

minor

Also known as Chassy

A minor character in the mining community.

Adler

minor

Also known as William P. Adler

A figure possibly from outside the community.

Ted Burton

minor

Also known as Ed

A minor character.

Tom Henderson

minor

Also known as Tom, Mrs. Tom Henderson

A resident of the area.

Mr. Riley

minor

A minor character mentioned in the story.