The First Cabal

The First Cabal is a group of sages, magicians, soothsayers, and other gifted individuals who served the Emperor of Onera during the time leading up to the Oneran-Faen Conflict. They are the first to decode the teachable secret language used in high magic, the Words of Ars .

Public Agenda

The primary agenda of the First Cabal was to decrypt the secrets of Faen magic, known as the Ars. While the Faen had gifted the rulers of Onera with extremely limited knowledge of the Ars, the mission of this group was to come to understand as much of the secrets of this power, and how humans could harness it.

History

Much of the knowledge of the First Cabal is lost to time, and records of the ancient Era are rife with myth and legend. What is known about the members of the First Cabal is drawn from mythohistoric sources and often contains chronologically or geographically impossible contradictions. The most supposedly accurate records are second-hand and carefully guarded by the upper hierarchy of The University of Rose and Violet on the Loch. What information is known without special access is limited.

Members of the The First Cabal

It is not entirely clear from the records how the First Cabal was initially organized. It is known that the Emperor of Onera is responsible for the initial formation, but how the members were discovered, selected, or how they became aware of the Cabal and its mission is unknown.

The Oracle

Known by many names, The Oracle was supposedly a Faen themselves, usually depicted in stories as a witch-like woman with the gift of foresight. She brought the Ars Nekmit, the word of Time. After the Cabal disbanded, it is said she headed west into the continent, in the opposite direction of the Faen homeland.

The Pathwalker

A Himarlan sage who traveled to Onera to see the Jade throne, he had knowledge of the Ars from his studies with the Great Sages of Mount Tsetsen, and brought the Ars Efeor, the word of Links. The sage was said to be able to know the connections between all things and even travel great distances effortlessly.

The Allspeaker

A hedge mage of the Sylwein who learned the secret language of all animals and understood the Ars Denesme, which is the word of Mind. It is said with the word, he could speak every language and even hear the thoughts of others.

The Shaperlord

The architect of Onera, he was taught the word Ars Qerrasa by the Faen, which gave him power over inanimate Matter. The first of men to be given the knowledge of Ars.

The Firebinder

One of the most mysterious of the Cabal, they arrived after the Emperor formed the first cabal, and brought the word Ars Noxu, which gave power over Forces such as fire, light and shadow. It is commonly believed among the Wizards of the Hammer that The Firebinder may have been an ancient entity with a personal feud against the Faen.

The Woundmender

Court Alchemist of the Oneran court, their insight revealed the Ars Xanpon to the Cabal, which is the word of Flesh.

The Spiritwaker

A spiritual entity called a Locus Mundi appeared before the Cabal as they experimented with the Words of Ars, drawn to the energies they were tapping. It revealed the existence of the quintessence and other worlds and planes of existence. It brought the Ars Arche, which is the word of the Other Worlds, as well as the Ars Irissi,” which is the world of simple living things like plants and other Flora.

The First Disciples

The First Disciples are the students of the First Cabal, of which there were 20 (ten men and ten women). They were taught as much of the Ars as they could possibly learn as quickly as possible, an an attempt to prepare them for a conflict with the Faen. 
Most of their names are lost to time, as well as what happened to them, though it is known that Rozali and Violeta survived, and went on to found The University of Rose and Violet on the Loch. They are the best sources of secondary information regarding the First Cabal and its Cabalists. 
Disciple Gleb is a sort of folk hero in Leova County, where a site called the "Tomb of Gleb" stands as the fabled final resting place of the Disciple. Gleb is most noted for having slain a Faen in one-on-one combat, using "a sword of pure light" that severed the inhuman creature's head permanently, preventing its resurrection. The University of Caldbyrg treats Gleb as a sort of unofficial mascot.
Additionally, the disciple known as Dumitru became the direct adviser to the Emperor following the conflict and was said to be the most curious of the students. Gifted beyond the skill of the other Disciples, he worked closely with the Woundmender and believed the seeming immortality of the Faen came from Ars that the Faen kept secret, that gave them power over death and life. Dumitru believed this Ars could be learned and could give life to the lifeless and conquer death permanently. Dumitru would go on to become The Black Minister.

Founding Date

2600 AE

Demonym

Cabalist

Subsidiary Organizations

• The University of Rose and Violet on the Loch

Location

Onera

Notable Members

• The Black Minister