diff --git a/HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal.html b/HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal.html index d17f6ba..c99b4b8 100644 --- a/HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal.html +++ b/HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal.html @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ title: The Castigian Cabal description: published: true -date: 2024-10-05T19:59:13.089Z +date: 2024-10-06T15:36:32.657Z tags: game-master, castigian cabal, cabal editor: ckeditor dateCreated: 2023-01-23T20:52:16.031Z @@ -87,7 +87,136 @@ dateCreated: 2023-01-23T20:52:16.031Z

The Nightseer leads discussions between the Veiled Hierarchs. It is he who acts as the Nightsinger's representative, and is thus the one informs the Veiled Hierarchs on the next steps laid forth by the Nightsinger, and the actions necessary to reach these. The Veiled Hierarchs will deliberate on how to mete these out, and from this develop and plan their larger schemes. Veiled Hierarchs may also come up with their own desired actions and schemes, which they'll inform the Nightseer about, who'll then add it as a topic of discussion for an upcoming deliberation. The Nightseer is also the one who handles Shade and Veiled Enforcer delegations. When the Veiled Hierarchs decide that a scheme needs the assistance of additional Shades or Veiled Hierarchs, it's the Nightseer who goes and actually delegates this task to the additional Shades and Veiled Enforcers.

 

Operations and Endeavors

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Operations carried out by the Cabal are all designed to in some way increase their grip on Marcandrian society, either by increasing their own resources or influence, or degrading that of one of their adversaries. Members are usually given tasks based on the resources and influence they hold in either another faction, group, or Marcandrian society in general, with the Cabal always seeking to maximize the usefulness of each piece they have on the board. Operations include both that associated with specific schemes. It also includes tasks the member does on a regular basis, for example by reporting on what's going on inside another faction. All members of the Cabal are information gatherers, forming a vast information network that lets the Cabal grip its talons into whatever facet of society they choose.

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Common tasks and operations carried out by the Cabal's members are included below. The actions listed may be performed by the member themselves, or through servants/mercenaries they have in their personal employ:

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  1. Information Gathering: All members are responsible for gathering information, with Shadow Initiates often having it as one of their primary responsibilities. Whatever faction or group the member is affiliated with or has access to outside the Cabal are naturally areas the member is tasked with gathering information about. Members are also tasked with gathering information about other parties' suppliers, partners, and customers, especially if influential individuals are involved. This information gathering typically involves monitoring communications; discretely access and copy documents, letters, ledgers, and the likes; listening in on and reporting on important conversations, including who it was between; tracking transactions; identifying vulnerabilities the Cabal can use to coerce; and identifying key individuals the Cabal would be interested in. identifying potential new recruits and people who might be susceptible to the Cabal's coercion tactics are also important parts of information gathering, as it allows the cabal to grow and extend its reach.
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  2. Influence and Manipulation: Members are often tasked with subtly influencing decision-making processes within other factions or groups that they are part of. This involved strategically providing (potentially falsified) information or recommendations that steers the faction or group in a direction benefiting the cabal. They will selectively manipulate the information that reaches decision-makers, and present information in a manner that favors the Cabal's preferred course of action. They may also work to subtly sway opinions within a faction or group, sowing mistrust, creating schisms, and nurturing environments where more people of said group/faction become susceptible to being indoctrinated into the Cabal's beliefs.
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  3. Sabotage and Obstruction: Members will frequently, and discretely, carry out acts of sabotage or create obstacles for rival factions and groups. The Cabal aims to have such actions hinder and delay, and ideally stop initiatives made by their adversaries entirely before they can be brought to fruition.
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  4. Internal Conflict Instigations: Members will instigate internal conflicts 
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    1. most often to either create mistrust towards certain high-ranking people within the faction/group, or to try create a schism in said faction/group. Actions related to influencing and manipulating other groups and factions are most often part of a larger scheme or strategy, as randomly seeding of mistrust and misdirection can turn out detrimental to the Cabal's overall plans.
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Typical responsibilities and tasks given to each rank

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Within the Cabal, each rank carries a set of responsibilities and tasks specific to their role. While there are similarities among these tasks, the differentiating factor lies in the scale and complexity assigned to each rank. Members are typically assigned duties that align with their skills and positions, ensuring maximum efficiency and effectiveness. These responsibilities may shift over time, and members may also take on additional duties as part of specific Cabal schemes. It is expected that every member fulfills their obligations using any means necessary while upholding the principles of secrecy and subterfuge. Additionally, all members will at some point receive tasks that require morally questionable means, as the Cabal tests their unwavering commitment to its cause.

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Shadow Initiates form the workforce that enables the Cabal to maintain its extensive reach. They primarily handle matters related to their positions in other organizations, involving tasks such as information gathering and acting as agents for the Cabal. While they may offer suggestions or recommendations to higher-ranking members based on their observations and findings, their role primarily entails executing orders from their superiors. The duties and responsibilities typically assigned to Shadow Initiates include:

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Veiled Magistrates play a pivotal role in leading the Cabal's endeavors focused on specific competitors in particular locations. For instance, they may lead the infiltration of the Wayfarer's Union in a specific settlement. If the targeted competitor holds significant influence in the area, the endeavor might be led by a Nightseer or Veiled Hierarch due to the scale involved. The Nightseers and Veiled Hierarchs oversee the grandest and most important operations, sometimes leading multiple areas. Veiled Magistrates lead the remaining endeavors, often managing sub-divisions of a Veiled Hierarch or Nightseer's broader operations. Together, these endeavors constitute the entirety of the Cabal's plans and initiatives. While their day-to-day tasks align with those of Shadow Initiates, they work on a larger scale due to their involvement with individuals and resources of greater significance. The following list outlines the typical endeavors in which Veiled Magistrates participate:

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Shades fulfill a highly specialized role within the Cabal, distinguished by their exceptional expertise in covert operations, sophisticated surveillance techniques, and discreet manipulation of information and resources. They are the consummate professionals, called upon when tasks require a meticulous touch and utmost discretion. Shades are entrusted with carrying out covert operations that would be too risky for other members without jeopardizing their cover. These operations may include stealing a private notebook, planting false evidence, or conducting intricate acts of sabotage. In essence, while Shadow Initiates and Veiled Magistrates handle regular operations, Shades are called in for particularly delicate or challenging assignments.

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The pivotal role of Shades extends beyond their operational prowess. They form the vital internal information network of the Cabal, responsible for facilitating communication among cells, between cells and the leadership, and even among the leaders themselves. Direct interactions between cells are rare, except when absolutely necessary, and Veiled Hierarchs rely on Shades as intermediaries for communication with their peers. Some Shades specialize in relaying and distributing information, while others are exclusively assigned to specific covert operations. The Cabal places great importance on selecting trustworthy individuals for the role of Shade due to their extensive knowledge of other members. Complete loyalty to the Cabal is a prerequisite.

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The following list outlines the typical endeavors in which Shades excel:

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The Veiled Enforcers serve as the Cabal's formidable muscle and internal security force, entrusted with the task of dealing with troublesome individuals or parties. They excel in a range of operations, including assassinations, kidnappings, interrogations, beatings, and other acts of coercion and enforcement. Their role extends beyond executing targeted actions, as they also function as a protective shield for the Cabal's assets, leadership, and individuals coerced into cooperation. It is crucial for Veiled Enforcers to operate with utmost discretion. Their actions should never draw unwanted attention or leave behind evidence that could lead adversaries to the Cabal. As the Cabal operates in secrecy, the Veiled Enforcers' role is integral to ensuring the organization's safety, eliminating threats, and enforcing compliance. The Cabal maintains a vigilant pursuit of talented individuals skilled in the arts of assassination, coercion, and covert operations, actively seeking out potential recruits who possess the necessary proficiency to bolster their ranks of Veiled Enforcers.

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Key aspects of the Veiled Enforcers' responsibilities and skills include:

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The Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers constitute the Cabal's inner circle and serve as its ultimate leadership. They are the orchestrators, the masterminds behind the scenes, responsible for the Cabal's grand schemes and strategic maneuvers. Each Veiled Hierarch and Nightseer holds sway over significant endeavors, often pertaining to the influential organizations or groups in which they wield substantial power. They also oversee medium-sized schemes in proximity to their primary operations. Many of them hold esteemed positions outside the Cabal, traversing social circles inhabited by the most influential figures in all of Marcandria. Notably, Veiled Hierarchs overseeing the Shades and Veiled Enforcers tend to be former members of these ranks, promoted for their exceptional skills and their ability to lead and coordinate Shade or Veiled Enforcer activities.

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Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers specialize in the art of information gathering, manipulation, propaganda, and perception management, concentrating their efforts on influential individuals and powerful factions. Their aim is to subtly shape narratives, influence decision-making, and maintain control over key players. Rather than engaging in direct covert operations like theft or evidence planting, their work revolves around the delicate manipulation of perception and the careful cultivation of relationships. Their approach is nuanced and indirect, as overt actions can easily backfire when attempting to control and manipulate influential individuals. Veiled Hierarchs often strive to maintain a delicate balance of disagreement between adversaries, preventing the formation of a united front. They also explore the gradual alignment of a person's perceptions with the Cabal's agenda, seeking to eventually transform them into unwitting assets or coerced members.

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Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers issue orders to the rest of the organization, relying on their Veiled Magistrates and Shadow Initiates to execute the practical aspects of their plans through the intermediary role of Shades. Personal involvement on their part typically occurs when matters directly concern influential individuals within their social circles or during critical junctures of larger schemes. Some Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers, particularly those skilled in arcane arts, assassination, or espionage, may occasionally engage in the action on the ground.

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Leadership of each scheme is determined by the Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers collectively, based on their influence over the involved adversaries. In cases involving multiple adversaries, shared leadership is possible. They reach decisions through a process of negotiation and deliberation, trading concessions and actions to arrive at a consensus that satisfies the majority. Those with significant sway over a particular adversary typically have more influence in shaping strategies and schemes related to that adversary. Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers understand the risks of alienating members from their inner circle, particularly when matters they are heavily involved in are at stake, as it can lead to detrimental divisions within the Cabal.

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The following list outlines the typical responsibilities and activities of Veiled Hierarchs and Nightseers:

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Specific efforts, schemes, and endeavors

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The Cabal acts as an unseen hand, a puppeteer. It has a hand in every major decision that goes on in Marcandria, and is either responsible for or at the very least been involved in all the major events and tragedies that have befallen Marcandria since the early years of the 14th century. Their most infamous scheme is no doubt the assassination of the entire Marcandrian royal family in the winter of 1349, which cast the Marcandrian nobility into a succession crisis, fracturing their unity as the major houses bicker about whose to become the new monarch. The fact that none but the Cabal knows who was behind the assassination has further caused a divide among the nobility, each constantly questioning who among their peers might've been involved in the assassination. The Cabal's aim with this scheme was simple: United, the nobility hold the most powerful hand in Marcandria. But, fractured and divided, they can be turned against each other so that they may tear each other apart.

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<Chapter on Shades and chapter on Enforcers next>

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Shades:

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