The Tome Of Drow Lore.pdf - RoseRed

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1,000 years. The names of its founders are a carefully-kept
secret, as is its membership and even its agenda. Secrecy
is, in fact, the essence of the organisation, the thing which
helps it remain both powerful and feared.
In fact, the Cabal was formed by a group of powerful drow
wizards who call themselves the Circle of Five. With the
passing of the years and the waxing of their power, these
wizards had grown disillusioned and distrustful of all those
who hold the reins of power in drow society, from the
Noble Houses to the temples. The wizards of the Cabal
came to believe those entities were unworthy to be in
control of the destiny of a race as mighty as the drow, that
they were frittering away the strength of the dark elf people
in an unending series of petty conflicts, trivial vendettas,
childish displays of strength and the maddening, pointless
quest to outdo one another in the Game of Bones. The
wizards were certain they could do better.
Rather than declaring their independence from their fellow
drow or proclaiming their apostasy from the cult of Ydrillia,
which they regard as hopelessly mired in mediocrity, the
five mages entirely divorced themselves from drow society,
even going so far as to orchestrate their own apparent deaths,
before withdrawing to a hidden corner of the Underdeep,
where they formed the Cabal. From this lair, cloaked and
warded with innumerable spells and enchantments, the
wizards of the Cabal have worked for a millennia, labouring
to bring about their own vision for the future of the drow.
Culture
It is the belief of the Cabal that rulership of the drow should
not be dispersed among dozens of factions of the wealthy
or the faithful, but should reside instead with a single group
of the powerful.
As mighty as the founders of the Cabal may be, they
realise this is a lofty goal. Their race is too chaotic, too
distrustful, too individualistic to allow itself to be led by
any one group. Even if enough power could be mustered to
enforce obedience, the threat of insurrection would always
loom. With this in mind, the Cabal has chosen to work
through the existing powers of the drow rather than attempt
to replace them. It is more effective to subvert rulers to
one’s will than to expend the resources needed to openly
supplant them, the wizards believe. Moreover, as long as
they remain invisible behind the scenes, the other powers
of the drow will not be able to move effectively against
them, as there will be no place for them to strike.
Recruitment is handled very carefully with the Cabal. Not
only do they insist on bringing only the most competent
wizards and sorcerers into their ranks, they also must ensure
as best as possible that the potential recruit will be able
to maintain the secrecy the Cabal thrives on. The Cabal
actively recruits mages of all skill levels, though most new
entrants are extremely talented neophytes, who are much
easier to train and indoctrinate than their more powerful
peers.
The Cabal currently numbers some 150 mages of varying
abilities, most of whom are stationed throughout a number
of drow cities working to carry out the Cabal’s agenda and
very few of whom know the identities of other members
of the Cabal. The great Spellhold of the Cabal is usually
home to no more than a score of wizards and sorcerers.
Leadership
The Cabal is still firmly ruled by the five wizards who first
created it, mages who have long since cast off their mortal
lives and embraced undeath as liches. They rarely, if ever,
leave the Spellhold any more, relying instead on proxies
to carry out their orders and directives. It is remarkable
indeed that these five mighty wizards have maintained their
capability, even willingness, to work together throughout
the centuries. There has not always been agreement but the
Spellhold has not yet been the scene of violent disagreement
between the liches.
The number ‘five’ is considered significant by the Cabal,
if for no other reason than the fact it represents the five
founders of the organisation. The hierarchy of the Cabal
below the founders is therefore arranged in five Tiers of