While this faction hasn't been approved yet, I'd like to gauge interest and work with anyone who would like to join now (read: Ashan 717) or in the future (read: anytime after Ashan). The faction will be located in Etzos at first, but I'd like to expand to additional cells in many other cities ASAP (pending approval).
First and foremost, the Cabal is not an all-consuming faction. Your PC won't be expected to put their life on the line, dedicate an extreme amount of time to the faction, or get a grizzly gang tattoo to prove their membership. In addition, there is no need for martial prowess, super stealth skills, or a mark from an Immortal. However, there is one position for a super martial/combat oriented PC, and that might expand in the future.
So, why would your PC consider joining?
I've designed the Cabal to be a faction for PCs that like ferreting out information and gaining a better understanding of the dreams and desires of those around them. While the information gained will occasionally be used to help advance PCs and/or the faction, a vast majority of the intel is kept until larger plots unfold. The Cabal doesn't take sides or support one coup or ruler over another. In war there is information to be found about both sides and limiting the members of the Cabal to some weird ideology doesn't benefit the faction. With that being said, members of the Cabal are free to support whatever political/religious/social causes they wish.
Your next question is probably... 'What does the Cabal do with this (supposed) vast hoard of information?' First, the Cabal uses any secrets, vices, and other personal information to find more information on any related parties (e.g. the 'lover' of an adulterer - what secrets does she have?). Then, depending on the scope of the information found, the Cabal will make a decision about how the information will be stored and what should happen.
Generally, you can expect one of the following to happen:
- Store the information for later - wait for a great opportunity to leverage it
- Use the information to strategically place a Cabal member in an organization or position of power
- Sell the information to the highest bidder (and note who bought it - that's useful too!)
- Extort the original target for money, resources, etc (though this is rarely used)
- Offer the services of Cabal members to help 'deal with the problem' (occurs on a case by case basis, profits benefit the cabal members individually)
- Follow-up on the information to gain a better understanding of future intrigues, events, wars, etc
Yes, you totally can. However, the Cabal provides a network of like minded allies and a solid base of information in the realm of secrets and topics beyond the secrets themselves. If a PC member of the Cabal is looking for information on an esoteric topic, the information of a scholar or bookseller that can help you find that information is very likely to be found somewhere in the Cabal's trove of information.
Additional Info:
Want to know more about the Cabal and the rankings? Look here! If you're interested, please post here or shoot me a PM. I would love to see this faction grow and none of the requirements thus far are set in stone. I don't intend to have my PC rule as a despot. There is a ton of freedom baked into the system for a reason. If you have ideas, questions, or comments on the faction (or the growth/aims moving forward), please let me know.
