Character Relationship Map: Willow

Characters

• Willow (played by Warwick Davis) — protagonist

  A Nelwyn farmer and aspiring sorcerer who becomes the reluctant protector of the prophesied child Elora Danan. Despite his initial lack of magical skill, his perseverance, cleverness, and sleight-of-h...

• Madmartigan (played by Val Kilmer) — protagonist

  A charismatic mercenary and former soldier who initially seeks to trade Elora for freedom but becomes a central leader in her protection. He provides combat expertise and navigates a complex romantic...

• Sorsha (played by Joanne Whalley) — supporting

  The daughter of Queen Bavmorda and a Nockmaar warrior tasked with hunting Elora Danan. Her loyalty fractures as she develops feelings for Madmartigan, leading her to defect and aid the heroes in the f...

• Raziel (played by Patricia Hayes) — supporting

  A powerful enchantress and guardian of Elora Danan. Transformed into an animal by Bavmorda, she is restored by Willow and becomes his essential guide, providing magical support to overthrow the evil q...

• Queen Bavmorda (played by Jean Marsh) — supporting
• Airk (played by Gavan O'Herlihy) — supporting

  A former comrade of Madmartigan who commands a rebel army against the Nockmaar. He provides crucial military support to the quest but is killed by General Kael during the castle siege.

• Cherlindrea (played by Maria Holvoe) — minor
• Meegosh (played by David Steinberg) — minor
• General Kael (played by Pat Roach) — supporting

  The ruthless military commander of Queen Bavmorda's forces. He leads the relentless hunt for Elora Danan, captures her at Tir Asleen, and is ultimately defeated and killed by Madmartigan.

• Ethna (played by Zulema Dene) — minor
• Franjean (played by Rick Overton) — supporting

  A brownie companion who travels with Willow and Rool. He inadvertently dosages Madmartigan with love dust, sparking a pivotal romantic development, and remains a loyal member of the traveling party.

• Rool (played by Kevin Pollak) — supporting

  A brownie companion to Franjean who aids Willow throughout the journey. He provides steadfast loyalty and comic relief while supporting the mission to protect Elora Danan.

• High Aldwin (played by Billy Barty) — supporting

  The village leader of the Nelwyn who recognizes the danger to the prophesied child. He initiates the main quest by ordering Willow to deliver the baby to a Daikini family.

• Elora Danan (played by Kate Greenfield) — cameo
• Mother (played by Sallyanne Law) — cameo
• Llug (played by Ron Tarr) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Madmartigan → Sorsha (Romantic Love Interest) — Their romance changes Sorsha's allegiance and affects the war.

  Love dust causes Madmartigan to declare his undying love for Sorsha, and Sorsha later realizes that she loves him.

• Cherlindrea → Willow (Professional Mentor) — Cherlindrea directs Willow toward the magical solution to the crisis.

  Cherlindrea explains Elora's identity, gives Willow a magic wand, and sends him to find Fin Raziel.

• Willow → High Aldwin (Power Follower) — Willow responds to High Aldwin's authority and quest directive.

  High Aldwin orders Willow to return the baby to a Daikini family, and Willow undertakes the assignment.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Llug → Madmartigan (Conflict Jealous Rival) — Llug's jealousy creates a brief but useful obstacle for Madmartigan.

  Madmartigan disguises himself as a woman to hide from Llug, whose arrival exposes him and starts a tavern brawl.

• Mother → Ethna (Alliance Beneficiary) — The mother entrusts Ethna with Elora's escape.

  Elora's mother persuades Ethna to smuggle the baby out of Bavmorda's castle.

• Ethna → Elora Danan (Narrative Rescuer) — Ethna sacrifices herself to preserve Elora's life.

  Elora's mother persuades Ethna to smuggle the baby from the castle, and Ethna sets the baby adrift to save her from the hounds.

• Sorsha → Willow (Conflict Former Adversary) — Sorsha shifts from pursuing Willow's party to supporting it.

  Sorsha participates in the hunt for Elora, then defects and joins Willow and Madmartigan against Bavmorda.

• Franjean → Madmartigan (Unknown Accidental Enchanter) — Franjean unintentionally triggers Madmartigan's romantic transformation.

  Franjean accidentally doses Madmartigan with love dust, causing Madmartigan to declare his love to Sorsha.

• Franjean → Rool (Alliance Partner) — The two brownies function as a joint support team.

  The plot presents Franjean and Rool together as brownies who accompany Willow.

• Rool → Willow (Alliance Traveling Companion) — Rool remains a loyal companion during the magical quest.

  Rool travels with Willow and Franjean and helps the mission to protect Elora.

• Franjean → Willow (Alliance Traveling Companion) — Franjean supports Willow as part of the traveling party.

  Franjean travels with Willow after Cherlindrea sends him to find Raziel.

• Queen Bavmorda → Raziel (Conflict Transformative Enemy) — Bavmorda's magic removes Raziel from human form and neutralizes her.

  Raziel has been turned into a possum by Bavmorda before Willow finds her.

• Raziel → Elora Danan (Narrative Guardian) — Raziel provides magical guidance in the effort to save Elora.

  Cherlindrea's account identifies Raziel as connected to Elora's protection, while Raziel joins the party confronting Bavmorda.

• Willow → Raziel (Alliance Restorer) — Willow's developing magic enables Raziel to rejoin the struggle.

  Willow first attempts to restore Raziel from animal form and later successfully restores her human form with the wand.

• Cherlindrea → Elora Danan (Narrative Prophecy Guardian) — Cherlindrea reveals and protects Elora's prophetic significance.

  Cherlindrea identifies the baby as Elora Danan, the foretold Princess of Tir Asleen.

Story Analysis

A reluctant Nelwyn protector grows into a clever sorcerer while defending a prophesied child from a ruthless queen.

Plot Progression

1. A Child Beneath Threat — Bavmorda responds to a prophecy by hunting the marked child. Ethna saves Elora, who is later found by Willow's family and taken before High Aldwin.
2. The Reluctant Escort — Willow begins the mission to deliver Elora to a Daikini family. Madmartigan's bargain and Airk's rebellion complicate the journey.
3. Prophecy Takes Shape — The brownies' abduction leads Willow to Cherlindrea, who reveals Elora's identity and gives him a wand. The tavern escape and love dust draw Madmartigan and Sorsha together.
4. The Siege of Tir Asleen — Willow's party finds Raziel and reaches the cursed Tir Asleen. Kael's attack creates chaos, captures Elora, and prompts Sorsha to defect.
5. The Ritual Reversed — Bavmorda prepares to erase Elora, but Willow restores Raziel and resists the queen's magic. His deception causes Bavmorda to complete her own banishment.