The Roots of the Mountains: Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale, Their Friends, Their Neighbours, Their Foemen, and Their Fellows in Arms

In Short

Set in a mythical, archaized European wilderness, this heroic narrative centers on Face-of-god, a prince of the prosperous Burgdale agricultural folk. While wandering in the mountains, he encounters exiled kin—the Children of the Wolf—who have been driven from their ancestral home of Silver-dale by brutal oppressors known as the Dusky Men. As the invaders encroach upon Burgdale, Face-of-god unites the neighboring clans of farmers, shepherds, and woodlanders with the Wolf exiles. Together, they mount a grand military expedition to destroy the oppressors and reclaim Silver-dale. Celebrated for its rich, world-building prose and idyllic depiction of tribal brotherhood, it remains a foundational milestone of modern high fantasy literature.

The Story

In the quiet, fruitful valley of Burgdale, the inhabitants live an idyllic existence dedicated to agriculture, craft, and peaceful council under the guidance of Alderman Iron-face. His son, Face-of-god (also called Gold-mane), is betrothed to the Bride, a noble woman of a neighboring household. Though bound to her by long-standing custom and deep affection, Face-of-god feels an inner restlessness that draws him away from home into the surrounding wilderness and distant mountains.

During his solitary rambles, Face-of-god encounters a tall, mysterious woman named the Sun-beam and her brother Folk-might. They reveal themselves as chieftains of the Children of the Wolf, a proud warrior clan who were driven out of their home in Silver-dale by a cruel, tyrannical race called the Dusky Men. The exiles now dwell hidden in the Shadowy Vale, surviving on sparse resources while plotting to win back their lands. As Face-of-god spends time among them, he falls deeply in love with the Sun-beam, realizing his heart no longer belongs to the Bride.

Meanwhile, dark tidings arrive in Burgdale. Escapees from nearby captive settlements, alongside stray bands of the Dusky Men, begin filtering into the woods around the valley. Outrages and murders occur, signaling that the brutal invaders are expanding their reach and will soon overrun Burgdale. Returning home, Face-of-god addresses the folk at the local assembly (the Gate-thing), warning them of the impending danger and urging them to form an alliance with the Children of the Wolf and the surrounding Woodland Carles and Shepherd-folk. Recognizing his knowledge and resolve, the assembly appoints Face-of-god as their War-leader.

Preparations for war begin in earnest. Burgdale holds a great Spring Market where trading turns into military planning, and a solemn Folk-mote is convened. The various clans make sacred oaths upon the Earth-god and the Crooked Sword, formalizing a great brotherhood in arms. Though heartbroken by Face-of-god's shift in affection toward the Sun-beam, the Bride takes up arms as a shield-maiden, joining the ranks alongside female warriors such as Bow-may.

Led by Face-of-god and Folk-might, the combined host marches across the desolate mountain-necks toward Silver-dale. Upon reaching the enemy stronghold, a fierce and bloody battle erupts in the valley and around the Market-stead. The heavy spears and disciplined formations of the Dalesmen break the chaotic savagery of the Dusky Men. Key chieftains, including Iron-hand, spearhead the charge, while Face-of-god and Folk-might fight heroically to shatter the enemy forces.

The victory is decisive, though not without cost. The Bride is wounded in the fighting but recovers under the care of her kin, eventually finding mutual respect and affection with Folk-might. With Silver-dale liberated, the Children of the Wolf and the Woodland Carles re-establish their ancient halls, while the Dalesmen return to Burgdale in triumph. The two realms remain bound by unbreakable ties of kinship and peace, establishing a tradition of gathering annually in the Shadowy Vale to celebrate their enduring alliance.

How It Unfolds

The restless hunter Face-of-god wanders deep into the mountains, drawn away from his peaceful life and betrothed in Burgdale by mysterious signs and an unyielding desire for adventure.

Discovery in the hills In the wild highlands, Face-of-god meets the Sun-beam and her brother Folk-might, learning of the exiled Children of the Wolf and their lost homeland of Silver-dale.

The shadow falls Invasion reaches the borders of Burgdale as violent outlaws and the Dusky Men murder local dwellers, forcing the Dalesmen to prepare their defenses.

A war-leader chosen At the assembly of the folk, Face-of-god reveals the nature of the enemy and is elected War-leader of the unified clans of the valley.

Oaths of brotherhood The Dalesmen, Woodlanders, and Shepherds gather at a great Folk-mote, swearing sacred oaths on the holy boar and the Earth-god to liberate Silver-dale.

The march across the waste The allied army travels through rugged mountain passes and treacherous marshes, arriving at last before the stronghold of the Dusky Men.

The battle of Silver-dale A fierce confrontation unfolds in the valley, where the Dalesmen's heavy weapons and organized shields overcome the brutal resistance of the enemy.

Peace restored With the oppressors vanquished, the exiles reclaim their lands, new bonds of love and unity are forged, and the clans return home under a lasting peace.

The People

• Face-of-god (Gold-mane): The central protagonist and son of Alderman Iron-face. He wants to protect his people and win the love of the Sun-beam, though he struggles with breaking his pledge to his childhood match. Chosen as War-leader, he grows from a restless youth into a wise chieftain who successfully unites the clans.
• The Sun-beam: A noble woman of the Children of the Wolf. She seeks to rally support to liberate her conquered homeland of Silver-dale. Her grace and determination win Face-of-god's heart, and she stands by his side through the campaign to reclaim her people's ancient heritage.
• The Bride: A valiant woman of Burgdale, betrothed to Face-of-god from youth. When she realizes his affection has shifted, she overcomes her heartbreak by taking up arms as a warrior, earning great renown in battle and eventually finding a new path with Folk-might.
• Folk-might: Brother to the Sun-beam and a fierce leader of the Wolf clan. He seeks vengeance against the Dusky Men and the restoration of his tribe, driving the military alliance with the Dalesmen with stern resolve and battlefield prowess.
• Iron-face: The Alderman of Burgdale and father of Face-of-god. A skilled craftsman and respected judge, he wants peace for his fertile valley but recognizes the necessity of war, stepping aside to let his son lead the army.

In Its Own Voice

"Such rest, such stay, I strove to win / With these same leaves that lie herein."

The prefatory verse frames the entire narrative as an artistic refuge, inviting the reader to step away from the modern industrial world into a tranquil, ideal realm.

"I saw thee both young and fair; and I knew thee to be the son of a noble, worthy, guileless man and of a beauteous woman of great wits and good rede."

The Sun-beam describes Face-of-god during their encounter in the mountains, highlighting the story's emphasis on noble lineage and natural virtue.

"Life hath been well with us of the Lower Dale, and we deem that we have much to lose in losing it. Yet ill would the bargain be to buy life with thralldom: we have been over-merry hitherto for that."

Red-coat of Waterless addresses the assembly, capturing the core ethos of the Dalesmen who value their free, joyful lifestyle enough to fight for it.

What It's Really About

Beneath its adventure plot, the novel explores the ideal structure of a free human society rooted in fellowship, communal labor, and respect for the natural environment. It contrasts the harmonious, organic living of the Dalesmen—where leaders rule by consent and work is integrated with art and nature—against the destructive, parasitical tyranny of the Dusky Men, who reduce conquered peoples to thralldom and leave fertile lands in decay.

Additionally, the story addresses the necessity of unity among diverse communities. The isolated valley clans cannot survive the rising tide of evil alone; only by setting aside minor differences and recognizing their shared kinship can they preserve their freedom. Personal desires and romantic attachments are similarly tested and elevated through duty to the broader community, demonstrating that individual happiness is bound up in the collective well-being of the folk.

Why Read It Today

This work holds a unique place in literary history as one of the direct precursors to modern high fantasy. Readers who enjoy rich, immersive world-building and mythic storytelling will appreciate its profound influence on later masterworks of the genre, particularly the prose styles and thematic foundations of mid-twentieth-century fantasy writers.

The reading experience is deliberately archaic and rhythmic, mirroring the tone of old Norse sagas and medieval romances. Rather than fast-paced action alone, the narrative takes time to savor the textures of everyday life: detailed descriptions of seasonal work, communal feasts, hand-crafted goods, and landscape topographies. This measured pace evokes a deep sense of atmosphere and nostalgia for a simpler, craft-centered existence.

However, modern readers should be prepared for its stylistic choices. The prose relies heavily on archaisms, inverted sentence structures, and specialized vocabulary that require patience to parse. The characters operate more as archetypes of tribal virtue than psychological studies, and the narrative's lengthy council scenes and formal speeches slow the tempo. For those willing to adjust to its cadence, it offers a rewarding, deeply lyrical journey into an enchanted heroic past.