# Gold-mane — The Roots of the Mountains character guide

> Gold-mane in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Gold - mane, Gold, Brother Gold - mane

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

## Snapshot

Gold-mane is Face-of-god's name among those who love him, a golden-haired Dalesman whose wanderings carry him into the mountain halls of the Wood-wights.

## Who they are

Gold-mane is the name the Dalesfolk give Face-of-god, and it is by this name that the Mountain Woman greets him when he stumbles, weary and night-bound, into her hall. There he is welcomed with wine and washed feet by the Friend herself, while Wild-wearer paces the hall in angry thought and the Wood-wolf banner hangs above. His courteous ease among strangers and his openness to their ways make him the hinge between the Dales and the mountain folk.

## In the story

### [IV: Face-of-God Fareth to the Wood Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/iv-face-of-god-fareth-to-the-wood-again)

Face-of-god is referred to as Gold-mane when he lingers at the Maiden Ward.

### [Of Face-of-God and Those Mountain-Dwellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vi-of-face-of-god-and-those-mountain-dwellers)

The name by which Face-of-god is called by the mountain folk; he is the central figure of the chapter.

### [New Tidings in the Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/x-new-tidings-in-the-dale)

Encountered the Shepherds and recognized the spear from the Mountain; keeps his suspicions to himself.

### [XI: Men Make Oath at Burgstead on the Holy Boar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xi-men-make-oath-at-burgstead-on-the-holy-boar)

Present at the feast; initially confused by the Yule show; smiles upon the Bride when she sits beside him.

### [Stone-Face Telleth Concerning the Wood-Wights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xii-stone-face-telleth-concerning-the-wood-wights)

Arises early, broods on his oath to the Mountain Woman, and listens to Stone-face's warning while secretly fixated on a vision of a fair woman in the snow.

### [They Fare to the Hunting of the Elk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xiii-they-fare-to-the-hunting-of-the-elk)

Referred to as the twenty-fourth hunter; Face-of-god is also called Gold-mane in this chapter.

### [XV: Murder Amongst the Folk of the Woodlanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xv-murder-amongst-the-folk-of-the-woodlanders)

Visits the Woodlanders after the murder, examines the strange corpses, and becomes merry and wordy; he is certain his Mountain friends had no part in the attack.

### [XXIV: Face-of-God Giveth That Token to the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiv-face-of-god-giveth-that-token-to-the-bride)

Referred to as Gold-mane by the Bride; he is the same as Face-of-god. He struggles with guilt but holds to his troth with Sun-beam.

### [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)

Mentioned by the Bride; she sends him a message about his oath.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters/gold_mane
- 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