# Folk-might — The Roots of the Mountains character guide

> Folk-might in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Folk - might, Folk, the Sickle

**First appearance:** 0001-the-roots-of-the-mountains

## Snapshot

A chieftain of the Wolf people, called the Sickle, whose fierce leadership and warrior's name mark him as one of the host's most redoubtable captains.

## Who they are

Folk-might belongs to the Wolf kindred, a people whose fierceness is proverbial among the Dalesmen, and his byname the Sickle suggests a reaper in battle. He moves among the chieftains as a peer of Face-of-god and the war-leaders, his authority bound up with the host's discipline and its savage edge. In the story's middle arc he stands for the allied peoples' martial strength, a leader whose presence turns the gathered kindreds from a crowd into an army.

## In the story

### [Of Burgstead and Its Folk and Its Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/i-of-burgstead-and-its-folk-and-its-neighbours)

Named as a member of the community.

### [XIX: The Fair Woman Telleth Face-of-God of Her Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xix-the-fair-woman-telleth-face-of-god-of-her-kindred)

Mentioned as the Friend's brother who went with Stone-wolf to the Cities of the Plain.

### [XX: Those Two Together Hold the Ring of the Earth-God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xx-those-two-together-hold-the-ring-of-the-earth-god)

Plans the campaign against the Dusky Men, expresses jealousy over Face-of-god and the Bride, and leads the feast.

### [XXXII: The Men of Shadowy Vale Come to the Spring Market at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxii-the-men-of-shadowy-vale-come-to-the-spring-market-at-burgstead)

Leads the armed strangers from Shadowy Vale, initially few-spoken and sharp-spoken, struggling with longing and wrath.

### [The Alderman Gives Gifts to Them of Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-alderman-gives-gifts-to-them-of-shadowy-vale)

Sits at the right hand of the Alderman, praised for his chieftain-like demeanor.

### [XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-chieftains-take-counsel-in-the-hall-of-the-face)

Chieftain of the Wolf; insists on committing all forces to Silverdale, dismissing the idea of splitting the host; speaks from experience as a tried warrior.

### [Folk-Might Speaketh with the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvi-folk-might-speaketh-with-the-bride)

Rises early, follows the Bride to a meadow, confesses his grief and love, and offers her friendship and hope.

### [Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-the-folk-mote-of-the-dalesmen-the-shepherd-folk-and-the-woodland-carles-the-banner-of-the-wolf-displayed)

Leads Sun-beam, sits with glittering eyes and clenched sword-hilt, intensely focused.

### [Of the Great Folk-Mote: Atonements Given, and Men Made Sackless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-great-folk-mote-atonements-given-and-men-made-sackless)

Confesses to slaying Rusty and ransacking Penny-thumb; offers self-doom and pays blood-wite and compensation, after which he is declared sackless.

### [Of the Great Folk-Mote: Men Take Rede of the War-Faring, the Fellowship, and the War-Leader. Folk-Might Telleth Whence His People Came. The Folk-Mote Sundered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-great-folk-mote-men-take-rede-of-the-war-faring-the-fellowship-and-the-war-leader-folk-might-telleth-whence-his-people-came-the-folk-mote-sundered)

Tells the tale of the Wolf folk's origins and their fall, and speaks of brotherhood.

### [Of the Hosting in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xl-of-the-hosting-in-shadowy-vale)

Leads the welcome of the Woodlanders, speaks of unity, and later meets the Bride at Staff-stone to declare his love.

### [The Host Departeth from Shadowy Vale: The First Day’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xli-the-host-departeth-from-shadowy-vale-the-first-day-s-journey)

Co-leads the vanward with Face-of-god, guiding the Host.

### [The Host Cometh to the Edges of Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlii-the-host-cometh-to-the-edges-of-silverdale)

Co-leads the host, guides the march through the gap, and confirms the proximity of Silverdale.

### [XLIII: Face-of-God Looketh on Silverdale: The Bowmen’s Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliii-face-of-god-looketh-on-silverdale-the-bowmen-s-battle)

Acts as a captain, oversees the eastern companies, and later shows Face-of-god the view of Silverdale.

### [XLV: Of Face-of-God’s Onslaught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlv-of-face-of-god-s-onslaught)

Mentioned as being with the Men of the Face; Face-of-god defends him against accusations of skulking.

### [Men Meet in the Market of Silverstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlvi-men-meet-in-the-market-of-silverstead)

Leads the left flank battle; his horn signals the onset.

### [XLVII: The Kindreds Win the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlvii-the-kindreds-win-the-mote-house)

Filled with grief and wrath over the Bride's wounding, he leads the charge up the southern stair, wielding the sword Sleep-thorn.

### [Men Sing in the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlviii-men-sing-in-the-mote-house)

Leads Sun-beam onto the dais; weeps upon hearing the Bride will live.

### [XLIX: Dallach Fareth to Rosedale: Crow Telleth of His Errand: The Kindreds Eat Their Meat in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlix-dallach-fareth-to-rosedale-crow-telleth-of-his-errand-the-kindreds-eat-their-meat-in-silverdale)

Publicly acknowledges Face-of-god as chieftain, embraces him, then departs on a private errand, likely to see the Bride.

### [Folk-Might Seeth the Bride and Speaketh with Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/l-folk-might-seeth-the-bride-and-speaketh-with-her)

Visits the Bride, plights troth with her, then joins the war council.

### [Of the Word Which Hall-Ward of the Steer Had for Folk-Might](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liii-of-the-word-which-hall-ward-of-the-steer-had-for-folk-might)

Chief of the Wolf; negotiates with Hall-ward for the Bride and agrees to give the Sun-beam in exchange.

### [Tidings of Dallach: A Folk-Mote in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liv-tidings-of-dallach-a-folk-mote-in-silverdale)

Speaks at the Folk-mote, offers gifts to the departing host, and sends messengers to the Plain and Cities.

### [LV: Departure from Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lv-departure-from-silverdale)

Receives farewells from the Burgdale chiefs, exchanges forgiveness with Face-of-god, and speaks of peace and friendship between the Dales.

### [LIX: The Behest of Face-of-God to the Bride Accomplished: A Motestead Appointed for the Three Folks, to Wit, the Men of Burgdale, the Shepherds, and the Children of the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lix-the-behest-of-face-of-god-to-the-bride-accomplished-a-motestead-appointed-for-the-three-folks-to-wit-the-men-of-burgdale-the-shepherds-and-the-children-of-the-wolf)

Receives Bow-may and the child, sends Crow with a message to Face-of-god, leads the Wolf and Woodlanders to Shadowy Vale.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters/folk_might
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters