Oakland is the chief of the Forestfolk. While the Forestfolk try to make decisions as a community, if they cannot come to an agreement, then the final decision is made by him. He resents the people of Harbor Town for harming the natural resources of the island and hates the recent visitors even more. However, while Oakland did not care for outsiders, he was still fond of Samryn, who -despite his large manor on the island- showed to Oakland that he, too, cared for the natural world. Oakland remains grateful to Samryn for everything he did for the Forestfolk, even after his death.