Skip to content
The Well of Daliath
Menu
Menu

Guide Art Direction – Mostali

Here is the recent art direction for Gloranthan Dwarves.

The picture is a full page black and white depicting three to five different Mostali (Gloranthan dwarfs). All are humanoid, in that they have two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head. Beyond that, they have very little in common with humans, being biological constructs manufactured to maintain and repair the World Machine. Dwarfs range from about 24 to 55 inches in height and between 22 and 165 pounds in weight. They are grotesque-looking to humans (but not hideous or repulsive) with disporoportionately short limbs, often hunchbacked or otherwise distorted. Their deformities are deliberate to aid them in carrying out their tasks, which they perform without aging. Many have beards, long eyebrows, and wirery hair that serve as sensory organs in the dark. They are cold, shrewd immortals whose every action is predicated upon careful calculation.

Possible Dwarf Types: I think we should have 3-5 dwarfs. At least one should be an Iron Dwarf, but the rest can be whatever you think looks good.

Iron Dwarf: These are the blacksmiths of dwarfdom, devoted to the science of war. They forge and use the weapons of dwarfdom. They literally are their armor, think Dürer’s Rhinoceros (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:D%C3%BCrer_rhino_full.png), with impassive iron masks for faces. I imagine something like a more ferocious version of this: http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt1vfaQpzT1qcx43eo1_500.jpg. Arcane Runes (especially Death, Law, and Stasis) are engraved on their armor. Iron Dwarfs are nightmarish combat monsters; less Gimli than the Terminator. They are armed with wicked axes, and a brace ornate of wheel-lock pistols (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pistolet-trois-coups-p1030505.jpg).

Gold Dwarf: These are the mind of Mostal. They are teachers, and maintain the continuity of dwarf society through correct project management and indoctrination. This dwarf is wise, cruel, and versed in secret lore. He is ugly and grotesque, but still presentable to humans, and wears ornate gold talismans, rings, bracelets, as well as clothes designed to impress inferior species such as humans.

Rock Dwarf: These dwarfs mine, quarry, dress, and build with stone. They are the architects and sculptures of dwarf society. They are the least human looking of the dwarfs, with stunted limbs, large shovel-like hands. Think of a cross between a Mole-man and a maggot – they have no skills or inclination to interact with inferior mortal races. This dwarf carries stone mason tools on belts (something like a bandolier) – mallets, chisels, straight edges, punch hammers, and so forth. The Rock Dwarf might be attaching a Lewis to a block of stone or similar masonic work.

Silver Dwarf: These dwarfs are the enchanters and sorcerers. This dwarf has blue-black corpse-like skin, black, rimless eyes, black hair, and a wild beard like Alan Moore (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Alan_Moore_%282%29.jpg). It ugly and grotesque, with disproportionately short limbs, and hunchbacked. It carries a small iron cage enscribed with arcane symbols, within which it has trapped some powerful energy source (perhaps the souls of mortals, or even a small god).

Quicksilver Dwarf: These dwarfs know the arts of transmutation and the science of alchemy. They brew terrible compounds in their fuming labs. This dwarf wears some strange respirator device, and protective clothing, perhaps like a bizarre plague doctor costume:(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Doktorschnabel_430px.jpg). The “beak” of the respirator is covered in fine runes and emits fumes, and the dwarf’s eyes are protected by goggles. It has extremely long fingers which make it easier to mix and weigh compounds.

Related Pages

  • Art of the Guide to Glorantha
  • FAQ about the Guide to Glorantha
  • Guide Art Direction – Aldryami
  • Guide Art Direction – Orlanthi (2013)
  • Guide Art Direction – Pelorian (2013)
  • Guide Art Direction – The Seven Faces of Arkat (2013)
  • Guide Art Direction – Hsunchen (2013)
  • Guide Interview – Greg Stafford
  • Guide Interview – Jeff Richard
  • Guide Interview – Mark Rein-Hagen
  • Guide Interview – Rob Heinsoo
  • Guide Overview – Fonrit
  • Guide Overview – Kralorela
  • Guide Overview – Praxian
  • Guide Overview – The West
  • Guide to the Guide to Glorantha


Page Last updated: 2021-01-01 13:13:45

Sections

  • Search Tips
  • Current RuneQuest Glorantha Publications
  • RuneQuest Glorantha Corrections and Q&A
  • Catalogue
  • References for Glorantha
    • Gloranthan Canon
  • Gloranthan Documents
  • RPG Systems & Versions
  • Gallery
  • Role-playing in Glorantha
  • About This Site
  • Get involved!

Latest Posts

  • Sartar’s Transformation of the Economy

    One of the most remarkable transformations that Sartar made is …
  • The View From Boldhome, circa 1627

    Argrath was acclaimed Prince on Day 88 of 1627. Several …
  • Wolf Pirates 1625-1627

    Harrek the Berserk and his Wolf Pirates cast a looming …
  • Interacting with the Hero Plane

    Most cults limit their interaction with the Hero Plane to …
  • Notes on the Hero Wars

    As we think about the RuneQuest setting for 1621-1655, there’s …
  • Dragon Pass Dragonewt population

    A rough breakdown of the dragonewt population in Dragon Pass, …
  • Notes on King Blackmoor

    From 1615-1625, the Colymar tribe was ruled by Kangharl son …
  • Genertelan Worldview

    The first set of Cults books – Mythology, Lightbringers, Earth …
  • Spirit Cult Example

    Here’s an example of a strange little spirit cult (or …

Links

  • Chaosium
  • Glorantha on BRP Central
  • RuneQuest on BRP Central
  • RuneQuest Glorantha on MeWe
  • Glorantha Wiki on Fandom
  • Prince of Sartar Webcomic
  • Glorantha G+ Archives on Tapatalk
  • Search mailing list archive

Latest from BRP Central

  • Disadvantages of Becoming a Shaman- Obligations to Tribe/Cult
  • Ancestor Worship and Daka Fal
  • Telmori wolf brother/fireblade clarification
  • Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale at DriveThruRPG
  • How do I roleplay Argrath?
  • Glorantha game Six Ages 2 nominated for three Pocket Gamer Awards, including Mobile Game of the Year
  • Any Info on Twilight/Nightlight?
  • Visions of Myth
  • The God Learners Episode 28: Gloranthan Freeforms, with David Hall & Kevin Jacklin
  • Monty Python Pestilence - Exodus Plagues

Popular Tags

2008 Bestiary Boldhome (large city) Chaosium Cult demographics Cults of Runequest (preview) Doraddi pantheon Ernalda Esrolia (homeland) Fonritian pantheon FR G+ post Greg Stafford Guide to Glorantha (preview) Hsunchen pantheon Humakt Issaries Jar-eel Kralorelan pantheon Lunar Empire Lunar Pantheon Magazine Malkioni pantheon Map Maps Michael O’Brien Mongoose Nochet (metropolis) Nomad Gods Orlanth Orlanthi pantheon Photo reference Population demographics Prax (homeland) Praxian pantheon RQ3 RQG Sandy Petersen Sartar (homeland) Spirit Cult Subcult Troll Pantheon Yelm Yelmalio Yelm Pantheon

Recently added or updated

  • Sartar’s Transformation of the Economy

  • Wolf Pirates 1625-1627

  • CHA4038 The Pegasus Plateau & Other Stories (2020)

  • The View From Boldhome, circa 1627

  • CHA4036 RuneQuest Weapons and Equipment Q&A

  • What is the Third Age History of the Sun Dome Temple in Sartar (2008)

  • Breakout #34 (1989)(AU)

  • AH8574 Human Adventurer Sheets (Box 2 – 1985)

  • AH8575 Non-human Adventurer Sheets (Box 3 – 1985)

  • AH8573 Monster Coliseum (Box 1 – 1985)

  • Wolf Pirates

  • Le Maître des Runes (1988)(FR)

  • CHA4028 RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha – Chapter 12 Rune Cults Q&A

  • CHA4029 RuneQuest Gamemaster Screen Pack – Q&A

  • CHA4039 The Smoking Ruin and other Stories – Q&A

  • CHA4038 The Pegasus Plateau & Other Stories – Q&A

  • CHA4034 Red Book of Magic – Chapter 03 Spirit Magic Spells Q&A

  • Interacting with the Hero Plane

  • Petersen Games

  • Glorantha: The Gods War (2020)

©2023 The Well of Daliath | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme