# Stone-face — The Roots of the Mountains character guide

> Stone-face in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Stone - face, Face, old Stone - face, Kinsman Stone - face

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

## Snapshot

Stone-face is Gold-mane's stern foster-father, an old counselor whose warnings against the wood press hard on his restless charge.

## Who they are

Stone-face is the elder kinsman of the House of the Face who rises early to follow Gold-mane onto the bridge and speak with him apart. He knows his foster-son means to go to the wood, and his counsel to refrain is loathsome to the young man, yet he gives it anyway with the patience of long years. His wary, practical voice frames the early tension between the Dalesmen's settled life and the dangerous pull of the Mountain.

## In the story

### [The Roots of the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/the-roots-of-the-mountains)

Referred to as an elder or notable figure in the community.

### [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)

Mentioned as a notable figure among the Dalesmen.

### [They Talk of Divers Matters in the Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/iii-they-talk-of-divers-matters-in-the-hall)

Foster-father of Iron-face and his sons; warns Face-of-god about the perils of the wildwood from his own bitter experience.

### [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's father, referenced in his musings about his House and name.

### [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)

Not directly present, but Face-of-god recalls his homecoming of yesterday, referencing Stone-face.

### [VII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-on-the-mountain)

The stark ancient, mentioned as loving the Dale folk and especially Face-of-god and his father.

### [Face-of-God Cometh Home Again to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/viii-face-of-god-cometh-home-again-to-burgstead)

Notices Face-of-god's unusual attire and suspects he has encountered a supernatural woman in the wood; warns him of doom.

### [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)

Sits beside Face-of-god; observes Face-of-god's strange behavior and the Bride's displeasure; resolves to speak with his fosterling.

### [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)

Follows Gold-mane to the bridge and shares a personal tale of a wood-wight he encountered in winter, warning his foster-son about the dangers of the wildwood.

### [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)

Observes Face-of-god's return with suspicion, but chooses not to press for the true story.

### [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)

Accompanies Gold-mane to the Woodlanders; he comments that the strange men are spawn of evil wights from the Wildwood, and his words are deemed wise by the older folk.

### [XVII: The Token Cometh from the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xvii-the-token-cometh-from-the-mountain)

Observes Face-of-god's happiness and offers to accompany him into the wood, warning of dangers.

### [XVIII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xviii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-in-shadowy-vale)

Mentioned as the fosterer who told tales of Wights of the Waste, which the Friend dismisses.

### [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)

Briefly mentioned in the Friend's jest about dainties he imagined for Face-of-god.

### [XXII: Face-of-God Cometh Home to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxii-face-of-god-cometh-home-to-burgstead)

Advises against pursuing the brown-clad men after the ambush, deeming them Wights of the Wood; present during Hall-face's account.

### [Talk in the Hall of the House of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiii-talk-in-the-hall-of-the-house-of-the-face)

Sits outward from the Bride and speaks to Face-of-god about the weaving of tales and future deeds.

### [Of the Gate-Thing at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxv-of-the-gate-thing-at-burgstead)

Offers counsel on the nature of the foes, suggesting they may be trolls or men, and urges Face-of-god to speak.

### [The Ending of the Gate-Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ending-of-the-gate-thing)

Intervenes to restrain Iron-face and suggests casting the felons into the Death Tarn.

### [XXVII: Face-of-God Leadeth a Band Through the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxvii-face-of-god-leadeth-a-band-through-the-wood)

Accompanies Face-of-god as an advisor, warns of dangers, and advises marking the path to avoid being misled.

### [XXVIII: The Men of Burgdale Meet the Runaways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxviii-the-men-of-burgdale-meet-the-runaways)

Accompanies Face-of-god to scout from the burg and comments on the smoke from Rosedale.

### [XXIX: They Bring the Runaways to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxix-they-bring-the-runaways-to-burgstead)

Accompanies Face-of-god and sits on the dais to talk with the Silverdale guests.

### [Hall-Face Goeth Toward Rosedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxx-hall-face-goeth-toward-rosedale)

Advises caution against attacking Rosedale, arguing the time is too short and the risk too great.

### [Of the Weapon-Show of the Men of Burgdale and Their Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxi-of-the-weapon-show-of-the-men-of-burgdale-and-their-neighbours)

Leads two hundreds of the House of the Face, clad in glittering array.

### [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)

Foster-father of Face-of-god; supports Folk-might's plan, arguing the risk to Rosedale is manageable.

### [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)

Speaks for the House of the Face, affirming Face-of-god as War-leader.

### [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)

Leads the rearward with Hall-face, commanding the Men of the Face.

### [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)

Mentioned as a leader among the kindreds on the left flank.

### [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)

Leads the Sun-beam by the hand into the Hall after the stairs are won.

### [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)

Advises Folk-might to send messengers, and persuades the Burgdalers to accept gifts from Silverdale.

### [How the Host Came Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lvii-how-the-host-came-home-again)

Mentioned as Face-of-god's father, beside whom Face-of-god sits under the image of the God.

### [How the Maiden Ward Was Held in Burgdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lviii-how-the-maiden-ward-was-held-in-burgdale)

Makes a remark about not begrudging wayward lovers an hour's waste of candlelight when Face-of-god and Sun-beam return late.

## Links

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