Cabal
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- "I think you could follow a trail of shattered worlds all the way to their home."
- — Grimoire description[6]
The Cabal, also referred to as the Barant[1] are a hulking, vaguely humanoid species with a vast interstellar empire and a militaristic culture.
Initially arriving in the Sol System sometime after the Collapse, the Cabal established a military presence on several worlds, especially Mars, where they became locked in a war with the local Vex. After the Taken War, the then-leader of the Cabal Empire, Dominus Ghaul, brought his Red Legion to the Sol System, seizing the Last City and the Traveler itself in a surprise attack, leading to a system-wide conflict which became known as the Red War. After Ghaul's demise at the hands of the Guardian, the Red Legion shattered into numerous warring factions. The exiled Cabal Emperor Calus arrived aboard his massive Leviathan, inviting the Guardians to join his elite team of warriors known as Shadows; Calus would later pledge himself to the Witness as one of its Disciples, becoming an enemy of humanity. After the Cabal capital world of Torobatl was razed by Xivu Arath, Caiatl, Calus' daughter and the Princess-Imperial of the Cabal Empire, assumed the Imperial throne and became the new Empress of the Cabal Empire, managing to reach a truce with the Vanguard and going on to develop a coalition with the forces of the Last City.
Overview[edit]
The Cabal are an extremely tough species, willing to defend their territory until every last one of them is dead.[citation needed] Their architecture is very industrial, with an emphasis on burrowing into mountains for defense. They are a very industrious, militaristic species whose social structure and way of life revolve largely around conquest and expansion.[7] Their armor and technology can often be seen leaking a substance similar to oil and even emit smoke when damaged or worn.[8] For centuries, they have devoted their resources to occupying and mining Mars,[9][10] contesting with the native Vex programming as evidenced by the many Cabal ships seen bringing armies to and from the red planet, and recently dealing with the Guardians.[11]
The Cabal Empire is a monarchy with a meritocratic military; the better the soldier the higher the rank. The Cabal army that occupied Mars and held it for some time was but a fraction of their full might.[12]
History[edit]
Origins[edit]
According to Lodi, the Cabal used to be a nomadic species, which is reflected in the Ulurant language, where communal terms are linked in some manner to herd behavior.[13]
Era of Lead[edit]
- "In the Cabal legend, a hero seeks to possess the sun. He succeeds. Then, he becomes Emperor. The Cabal… are not a subtle people."
- — Tyra Karn[14]
The earliest period of the Cabal's history is the Era of Lead; before they had extended their reach beyond their immediate star system.[15] According to Cabal myth, three Cabal warriors sought to claim the sun atop a great mountain that was guarded by a mighty beast. The first two were killed attempting to outwit and evade the beast, but the third died with pride and honor after challenging it to battle. Her sacrifice had left a mark on the creature and inspired her Cabal kin to face the creature despite repeated deaths; with each leaving their scars upon the latter. Finally, the last warrior named Acrius had delivered the killing blow upon the beast which had grown wounded and weary of the constant fighting.[16] Acrius became the first Cabal to succeed in claiming the sun and thus united their race under his reign as the first Emperor.[14]
Era of Conquest[edit]
The Era of Conquest came as a largely unknown period of military expansion and galactic colonization as the Cabal extended beyond their system to incorporate many worlds and client races into their empire; most notable was the Psion race who became assimilated into Cabal society through indentured servitude but were prized for their psychic abilities.[citation needed] Conquered worlds were enriched with ceremonial gold to ease defeat and allow challenging officers for representation within the Cabal's leadership.[17] During the Era of Conquest, warriors nearing death were integrated into the legions and deployed as vanguards and in frontal assaults, to grant them one last glorious charge, a death preferable to slow ossification.[18]
In the earliest days of this new empire, the Cabal emperor ruled alongside the venal military aristocracy known as the Praetorate, which allowed the people to suffer so the Legions who served them could grow.[19] The Praetorate had also popularized the Rite of Proving: an ancient tradition of gladiatorial combat for free Cabal to prove their worth in battle and ascend in status.[20]
Foundation Age[edit]
- "Under Calus, this system will unite. And when the end comes, we'll be ready. All of us."
- — Valus Nohr[21]
Upon Calus's Inauguration, he had the wasteland of Torobatl cleared of any stone or plant to have a desert of pure white. Three days later, a violet pavilion was constructed and Calus's court was recreated in every detail. The first act of his coronation was to send the Consul into the wasteland as a symbol of the revolution he would soon bring.[22] During his reign, Calus decided to purge the corrupt Praetorate and he and his imperial guard marched into the temple where the former Cabal senate convened and assassinated them.[23] He then granted citizenship to the various Legions and set Evocate-General Umun'arath as Primus of All Legions.[19]
During this time, Calus moved the Capital to Torobatl so it could be closer to his people, throwing parades daily as he bought from the local marketplaces. Following his "great purge", Calus spoke to the people at Dau'uss, announcing that he had repossessed the wealth and plunder of the Praetorate elite.[24]
The rise of Calus as Emperor would mark a paradigm shift in Cabal society as he began a campaign to reorganize the empire from its militant roots into one favoring art and philosophy. Much of the empire's history (which was transcribed in the Codex of Lawful Transgressions) was rewritten by his own cult of personality to cast a more favorable light upon Calus during his ascension. He also repressed the Rite of Proving by gradually introducing draconian and byzantine bylaws into the Proving; most notably the role of an arbiter wielding the Hammer of Proving whose role was abused to the point that the Rite fell out of common usage in a century.[25]
Early Exploits[edit]
- "The war is all there is. All this- this is just logistical support."
- — Umun'arath[19]
Calus's reign was not without personal troubles. He was wary of Umun'arath, his Evocate-General, for her paranoia and obsessive fixation on war. His own daughter and heir, Caiatl, grew up similarly despite his efforts.[19]
During his reign, he also removed the practice of leaving Cabal near death in the military. Instead, he surrounded himself with a council of petrified elders. Those who opposed this practice were sent to the fighting pits. Most of the veterans were recalled to Torobatl and rewarded with Imperial citizenship. Yet many still preferred the opportunity to die on the battlefield.[18]
One of Calus's pleasures was the Coliseum, and one day, an albino gladiator named Ghaul made his first appearance there. Ghaul's patient skill and unusual coloration soon made him a favorite of Calus's, and the Emperor eventually made him Primus of the Red Legion, where his talents would be put to better use.[26] Calus grew to love Ghaul like a son and believed they were kindred spirits who both envisioned a newer, more perfect world. Ghaul's association with The Consul and members of the Praetorate worried him, but not enough.[27]
Golden Era[edit]
- "Is this not Calus's new Empire, an empire of achievement? Can't the Psions grow fat in thought, as you grow fat with power?"
- — Freeborn Otzot appealing to Emperor Calus[28]
Calus claims to have overseen a reign of glory. His Empire was an immense military power, but valued willpower, learning, gentility, and subtlety. Debate was as celebrated as warfare. Savage pit fights coexisted with precise marksmanship and refined martial arts. The Empire crafted technological marvels[29] that allowed every need to be met and every life to be lived in comfort.[30][31][32][33]
As the Cabal Empire expanded, it encountered countless alien races and absorbed them into itself: indoctrinating their species, collecting their technology, learning their knowledge, and merging with their culture. The number of species within the Cabal Empire "defied reckoning,"[34] and examples of the things they created, whether texts, tech, or superweapons, were archived in carefully maintained athenaeum worlds for study and potential future use.[35][29]
Centuries after destroying the Psions' clairvoyant OXA Machine, word reached the emperor that it had been rebuilt on the moon of Brand. The Evocate-General then sent her ships to bomb the moon but Calus stopped her ships and instead proposed an alliance with Otzot, the Psion which rebuilt the machine.[28]
It was seemingly during Calus's reign that the Cabal learned of the Traveler and the Light, and gained some knowledge on the Darkness from the "Dreams of worms".[36] His Empire has even defeated a Light-empowered race on at least one occasion.[37]
Midnight Coup[edit]
- "For centuries, I led the revels of my empire, and the stars themselves burnt sweet and clear. But in time the jealous and the tight-fisted rose up and sent me into exile."
- — Emperor Calus[5]
However, having grown disillusioned with Calus's reign and determined to return the Cabal to their warmongering ways, Ghaul conspired with the Consul and several of Calus's closest friends and advisors: Umun'arath, Shayotet, Otzot, Moli Imoli, Iska'al, and Caiatl in a bid to usurp the Emperor. Ghaul and his Red Legion launched his coup in the dead of night, arresting Calus and his Loyalists. With the Emperor too popular to simply execute, Ghaul, his Red Legion, and the Consul sentenced Calus and his supporters to exile aboard the Leviathan, taken far from the Empire along a pre-programmed course.[38][5]
Ghaul swiftly assumed power. Declaring that there would be no more emperors, he instead assumed the title of Dominus and imposed radical reforms on the Empire.[39] Under his leadership, Cabal culture moved from hedonism and pleasure for all to militarism and personal glory. The Empire's member species were diminished in relevance. Its subtlety was replaced by brute, industrial force. It conquered rather than absorbed.[40]
War for the Sol System[edit]
Arrival in the Solar System[edit]
- "Whether we wanted it or not, we've stepped into a war with the Cabal on Mars."
- — Commander Zavala[41]
The Cabal's scouting legions arrived in the Solar System at some point following the Collapse. Encountering no meaningful opposition, they established a beachhead on Phobos, constructing massive facilities such as Fleetbase Korus and Firebase Thuria before invading Mars.[42][43] Their initial intention was to mine Mars for resources, but the scope greatly expanded upon the discovery of Vex ruins. The Virgo Prohibiton, the Vex collective on Mars, didn't take too well to the Cabal's arrival and began a war that wouldn't end until the Red War.[44]
A Ghost that had infiltrated a Cabal base on the planet took note of visible dissent among their ranks: while some remained loyal to the Empire and obeyed their ancient orders without question, others did not, and tensions between the two groups may presage a schism.[12] It may be that some Cabal were aware of Ghaul's coup against the Emperor, which may have been an additional source of tension, but the transmissions for this do not make it clear whether all of the Martian Cabal knew, or if they had taken any sides.[45] One unit, the Broken Legion commanded by Valus Trau'ug, even mutinied, massacring his superiors and attacking the Reef without authorization, resulting in their capture by the Awoken. For Trau'ug's treason and failure, Cabal High Command disavowed the entire legion, leaving them in the Prison of Elders.[46]
During the Guardians' mission to reach the Black Garden, the Guardians had to charge a Gate Lord's eye to unlock the gateway. Traveling to Mars, the Guardians breached into the Conflux to power the eye but encountered regiments of the Blind Legion, a cabal army tasked with capturing and holding Vex artifacts. Despite the Cabal's efforts, the Guardians were able to reach the main site of the Conflux and begin to charge the eye but are then confronted by the Blind Legion's commander, Primus Sha'aull. After a heated battle and despite the Primus' efforts, the Guardians were able to charge the eye and kill Sha'aull. With the eye fully charged, the Guardians were able to reach the Black Garden.[47] With the Primus dead, the Blind Legion was without a commander; a huge blow, and one from which the Blind Legion would never recover.
At a later date, the Vanguard received a message from the Warmind Rasputin, warning them that a trio of Psion Flayers, called the Ice Reapers, were attempting to hack its mainframe on Mars after the Warmind used Warsats to bombard Cabal troops. Wanting to prevent the Cabal from hacking into the Warmind's data and weapon systems, the Guardians formed a strike team and battled with the Cabal through the Dust Palace located in Freehold. Reaching to the Flayers' position, the Guardians made combat with the elite Psions and their guard but despite their power, they succeeded in slaying the Psions, saving Rasputin.[48] A huge blow to another Cabal Legion, and one that seemingly destroyed the Ice Reapers, as they were never seen again.
Wishing to take the fight to the Cabal, the Vanguard saw an opportunity to strike a blow against the Cabal when