Rocannon, a Terran scientist from the League of All Worlds, leads an ethnographic survey to the half-known world of Fomalhaut II. But, only minutes after his expedition arrives, it is viciously attacked by invaders from Faraday and Rocannon is the sole survivor.

Marooned for at least eight years among the humanoids of this alien planet - the cave-dwelling Gdemiar, the elvish Fiia and the warrior Liuar - Rocannon has to find some way to prevent the invaders from exploiting Fomalhaut II or enslaving its inhabitants. Rallying the primitive natives around him, Rocannon sets out to prove that technology is no match for courage and love of freedom.

Guided by the natives and borne by a magnificent, barely-tamed windsteed, Rocannon embarks on a quest that takes him from the depths of caves over mountain peaks in a search for the enemy...