ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

At the suggestion of someone, I chose Mimicry when the lost sword guy had skills for me. I don't see it as an option now in my skills - I am a zombie rohanknight swordmaster (or something like that).

Does it become available next time I level?

If you're talking about the Shift-G menu then you probably just need to "fold out" the parent skill of Mimicry, Monster-lore. That is, press <RETURN> while Monster-lore is selected in the Shift-G menu.

EDIT: Oh, and I should say that you'll want to wait to increase the Mimicry skill until you've received it two more times from FF...

Why should I wait? Why would it matter? I am about level 30 or so and just had the option to get mimicry, which I did.

Do I need to level it up to x points to get an extra set of arms? Does this happen automatically?

I thought the guide said you "buy" special abilities once you have a base skill at x points, yet I found that I automatically received extra attacks and spread blows with my character once my combat got up high enough.

the option to wait is because he trains you at 0.3 at first, and if he gives it to you again it will be up to 0.4, then after that it will be up to 0.5... it is more efficient to wait to train it.

I thought the guide said you "buy" special abilities once you have a base skill at x points, yet I found that I automatically received extra attacks and spread blows with my character once my combat got up high enough.

certain special abilities are automatic, others are not... swordmasters end up with spread blows, and both extra blows automatically, other classes get other automatic things.

Do I need to level it up to x points to get an extra set of arms? Does this happen automatically?

yes, you need to level it up to around lvl 30 or so I think to get extra arms, but this is not automatically, it is a temporary effect and you need to keep casting it.

Right now if you were to invest in Mimicry to get extra arms, you'd need to invest 100 skillpoints. If you learn Mimicry again from Fumblefingers, then your multiplier will be .4 instead of .3, requiring only 75 points. If you learn it a third time, putting your multiplier at the maximum of .5, then you'll only need 60 skillpoints. So it's worth waiting.

So, that second number increases the second modifier in my list... i see now.... Thanks!

While the subject is on mimicry, I'll ask a question.

What are all the possible shapeshifting cloaks? And where would I find them?

You find them randomly. Cloaks are actually really rare, because they aren't considered "equipment" drops (for creatures like orcs, trolls, dragons, etc.), nor are they considered "magic" drops (for creatures like mages, lichs, etc.). Since the vast majority of mid-to-late-game drops are from creatures that drop exclusively equipment or magic, you're basically limited to getting cloaks off the ground.

As for the available mimicry cloaks, check out the Killerbunnies spoiler.

What about that rumor of a special cloak listed in the spoilers , the one listed near the list of mimic's powers? I don't want to say cause it might be spoily. (though it might not, I'm not sure)

A quick search through the edit files reveals that that's a complete list of mimicry cloaks. Unless there's one hidden elsewhere, which I really rather doubt.

It is possible (although very rare) for the game to generate a cloak that mimics a failed mimicry attempt. Morphic oils of the same failed mimicry shape can sometimes be found at the top of the Barrow Downs.