MRQ1 mostalis to MRQ2

[gran_orco]

I have been looking for a mostali character for a new player. Reading carefully the creation process in the mostali book, I saw that all of them have only one sorcery skill. This could be much better with previous rules, because, as you know, there were many separate skills (one for each manipulation). However,although they could manipulate a spell using sorcery (grimoire), and an additional manipulation for every 2 points of pow above 14, in MRQ2 there are only 2 skills, so now this seems a disadvantage (I mean the special ability of mostalis with magic).
In monster coliseum, mostalis have the same percentage skill in sorcery and manipulation. How would you do the conversion -if any is required? Should the mostali have only the sorcery skill, and use same skill to manipulating the spell, too? So two skills converted to one.

Regarding mostalis, I've found descriptions of their spiritual practices (openhandism, decamonism, apostates...), but I cannot find anything about orthodox heresy. Could you help me? Where can I read about it?

And finally, are mostalis done entirely of his inorganic material (rock, diamond, silver, etc.)?. I mean that they do not have hair and flesh, right? Some pictures in the book confuse me.

 

[soltakss]

Regarding mostalis, I've found descriptions of their spiritual practices (openhandism, decamonism, apostates...), but I cannot find anything about orthodox heresy. Could you help me? Where can I read about it?

Orthodox Mostali are not heretics, they follow the standard way. I think that Octamonism is the standard orthodoxy, following the original 8 elements' castes and not sharing their secrets. But this varies from Mostali stronghold to Mostali stronghold.

And finally, are mostalis done entirely of his inorganic material (rock, diamond, silver, etc.)?. I mean that they do not have hair and flesh, right? Some pictures in the book confuse me.

Clay Mostali (Dwarfs) are made of flash and bone. They are the ones that most people see.

Other Mostali are the old ones made before Time started. They are made from the material that describes them (Iron, Silver and so on), but that doesn;t necessarily mean that they are formed entirely out of this substance. They came from vats made out of the substance, so it might be that they are flesh but with a substantial portion of their element.

Normal Diamond Mostali are Clay Mostali (Dwarfs) who have achieved a high status in their work/magical ability and have become the elite. They have abilities to turn parts of their body into tools and I can see them slowly changing form as they get better and better.

 

[Simulacrum]

Clay Mostali (Dwarfs) are made of flash and bone. They are the ones that most people see.

Next time I'm flashed by a short beardy man I'll know what sort of Mostali he is :lol:

 

[gran_orco]

And finally, are mostalis done entirely of his inorganic material (rock, diamond, silver, etc.)?. I mean that they do not have hair and flesh, right? Some pictures in the book confuse me.

Clay Mostali (Dwarfs) are made of flash and bone. They are the ones that most people see.

Other Mostali are the old ones made before Time started. They are made from the material that describes them (Iron, Silver and so on), but that doesn;t necessarily mean that they are formed entirely out of this substance. They came from vats made out of the substance, so it might be that they are flesh but with a substantial portion of their element.

Normal Diamond Mostali are Clay Mostali (Dwarfs) who have achieved a high status in their work/magical ability and have become the elite. They have abilities to turn parts of their body into tools and I can see them slowly changing form as they get better and better.

Thank you. It helps. Do you know where can I find additional info about this?

 

[soltakss]

There is an RQ3 supplement (Elder Secrets) which contains a lot of information about Mostali, especially about them mating and the descriptiion of the couple grinding away with their mortar and pestle. Different Worlds (24?) has a series of articles about Mostali as well which is mostly relevant.

More recently,, Mongoose did a Mostali supplement that was pretty good.

 

[gran_orco]

I have all of them, but I cannot see nothing about clay mostalis done of flesh and hair. :?: :?: :?:

 

[Loz]

I have all of them, but I cannot see nothing about clay mostalis done of flesh and hair.

That's because, Gran, they're not made of flesh and hair. This isn't explicit in 'Elder Secrets' but I checked it with Greg for the Mostali book and he confirmed it was so.

If you read the Mostali book carefully you'll see that each caste says that the dwarf is made 'of that metal'. The clay mostali are made of clay and moulded. But, if in your varying Glorantha you want them to be flesh that resembles clay, or flesh that acts like human flesh, then have them that way.

 

[soltakss]

Isn't there a group of Mostali in Pamaltela that have a city containing a lot of humans who work as Mostali in the hope of being reborn/becoming Mostali? They are Flesh Mostali, if anyone is.

 

[Loz]

Isn't there a group of Mostali in Pamaltela that have a city containing a lot of humans who work as Mostali in the hope of being reborn/becoming Mostali? They are Flesh Mostali, if anyone is.

That rings a vague bell from somewhere... Was in 'Tales of the Reaching Moon'?

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

It's in Elder Secrets and the unfinished Pamaltela book.

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

You are thinking of the primitive humans enslaved by the Mostali of Slon, one of the original Mostali homelands. These humans worship the dwarves as gods, I picture them as being as primitive as the tribals in the King Kong movie LOL. They live inside the Wall a massive construction to keep the Mostali's enemies at bay. If they didnt live in harmony with the dwarves they have to spend their time running from giants and dinosaurs, much as the do in Tarien, so their options are pretty limited. These human/dwarves are called the 11th by the Decamony if I remember correctly.

Simon Bray

 

[gran_orco]

I have all of them, but I cannot see nothing about clay mostalis done of flesh and hair.

That's because, Gran, they're not made of flesh and hair. This isn't explicit in 'Elder Secrets' but I checked it with Greg for the Mostali book and he confirmed it was so.

If you read the Mostali book carefully you'll see that each caste says that the dwarf is made 'of that metal'. The clay mostali are made of clay and moulded. But, if in your varying Glorantha you want them to be flesh that resembles clay, or flesh that acts like human flesh, then have them that way.

I know, I know! I trust you :lol: Do not think that I do this question because I do not like your answer . I did this question here because I did not receive any answer in your forum.
I was confused because Solktass, and a lot of people, said that clay mostalis were made with flesh and bone. They should know it because they should had read it anywhere, not because they want Glorantha to be that way. Do you understand me?
It should be obvious for anyone that your knowledge is greatest and far more accurate (in fact, I read your answers as official), so, trust me, your answer helped me a lot, and I appreciate it very much.
Of course, my world may vary. However, my question was about Glorantha, not my game. It is pretty clear that I can do whatever I want with my game, but we like this world, and we want to fit it as closely as possible; so my players were researching the web to expand our Glorantha's knowledge as much as possible.
So, althought I like clays mostalis being done of clay :mrgreen: , I was trying to see why other people say otherwise. I was interested in their point of view and their info resources, too. Further more now that I have your clear answer :wink:
PS: sorry for my language. I hope you could understand me without difficulty. :lol:

 

[Loz]

I know, I know! I trust you Do not think that I do this question because I do not like your answer . I did this question here because I did not receive any answer in your forum.

Gran... I did answer your question about what they're made of at the DM forum. I posted it a day and half before you posted the below:

I have all of them, but I cannot see nothing about clay mostalis done of flesh and hair.

Perhaps you missed it, but here's what I said.

There's just been a lengthy debate about this on World of Glorantha.

When I wrote the Mostali book, I spoke at length with Greg. His view is that mostali are formed of the element they represent, but its a great deal more complicated than that, I suspect.

Your Glorantha Will Vary. If you want them with flesh and hair, then by all means have them that way. Their caste designation could simply be that: a title.

But that's why I was a little... emphatic.

 

[gran_orco]

But that's why I was a little... emphatic.

My correct sentence should have been "I received your answer, but just after that I received 7 messages (one here and six in glorantha hispana) saying the opposite, so I was intrigued because of their source of the info"
My apologies, you were enough emphatic and clear. :wink: And sorry again, I did not read your final statement.
I'm still wondering why so many people think this about mostalis. Only a few post over a year. I cannot be boring, yet. :mrgreen:

 

[Loz]

My correct sentence should have been "I received your answer, but just after that I received 7 messages (one here and six in glorantha hispana) saying the opposite, so I was intrigued because of their source of the info"
My apologies, you were enough emphatic and clear. And sorry again, I did not read your final statement.
I'm still wondering why so many people think this about mostalis. Only a few post over a year. I cannot be boring, yet.

Not at all. I think there's a lot of confusion about just what mostali are made of. Its yet another of those little Gloranthan ambiguities that drive people to tear their hair out...

 

[soltakss]

I was confused because Solktass, and a lot of people, said that clay mostalis were made with flesh and bone.

Oh, you don't want to believe me!

They should know it because they should had read it anywhere, not because they want Glorantha to be that way. Do you understand me?

I've always assumed that Clay Mostali have flesh and bone and haven't seen anything to the contrary. At least, Different Worlds and Elder Secrets didn't state so. Loz's Mostali might have done, but I haven't read it for a while.

It seemed to me that the Mostali stirred the Clay Crucible with Grandfather Mortal, anyway ...