Caballum

The Caballum is an ancient, deep-seated secret society that spreads through Endros and the demonic lands, conspiring under infernal guidance. It is forged through the uneasy alliance of Thespia, the Devil of Mimicry, Avarice, the Devil of Deals, and Umbra, the Devil of Whispers. Unlike the Devils who reign openly with vast kingdoms, these three conspire as equals to achieve reach that no single Devil could alone.

Though there is no crown among the Caballum Devils, their coordination is deliberate and enduring despite its internal power struggles. Each guards their autonomy while feeding the collective. Thespia's Doppelgangers replace trusted figures with believable copies, providing a means of entry into courts, clans, and kingdoms. Avarice binds mortals and demons alike with unbreakable contracts, swelling the Caballum's resources and ensuring reliability in trusted assets. Umbra guides his inquisition of unwitting pawns and sleeper agents, amassing knowledge and ensuring no secret is beyond the Caballum's grasp.

Influence in Demon Societies

A significant portion of the Caballum's influence and resources are dedicated to demonic kingdoms, granting it considerable leverage when dealing with the other factions. Every Devil within Gaia understands that the Caballum is powerful and widespread, and uncertainty about its full reach can often be exploited against them.

Thespia's Doppelgangers, in particular, are tremendously effective within Demon societies, whereas they remain at great risk of discovery when attempting to infiltrate high-ranking Fairkin circles. Most of her spies are therefore in high-level demonic circles, poised to gather intel and take action if the Caballum is upset with other factions.

Malthus (Devil of Corruption) and Vorax (Devil of Predation)

Malthus and Vorax are the Caballum's favorite victims. Their kingdoms are deeply susceptible to the Caballum's influence; far more so than either Malthus or Vorax are aware of. The Caballum rarely deals with the Devils directly, as it only draws attention. Malthus and Vorax aren't much for negotiation, and most of the things the Caballum wants from them can simply be siphoned away from their kingdoms discreetly through a vast network of clandestine efforts.

Lusia, Devil of Vices

Lusia is a wildcard. She is the easiest Devil to manipulate by exploiting her vices, but is also easily distracted and can provide unreliable results. Lusia herself doesn't seem to care about or understand her value, as long as her passions are being indulged. If she's properly motivated, her Succubi can achieve incredible feats, but the Caballum has to balance her attention very carefully to utilize her skills effectively.

Calibra, Devil of Details

Calibra is a strategic partner, and treated with proper respect. His kingdom is by far the most difficult and risky to infiltrate, and both he and the Caballum know it. His faction assumes compromise and designs for it. Each side hesitates to take clandestine actions against the other, lest they risk upsetting a very powerful ally. Calibra's command of powerful technologies and the Caballum's access to indispensable secrets are both too precious for the respective groups to ignore.

Osmos, Devil of Assimilation

Osmos is smart enough to be wary of the Caballum and its hidden agendas, but believes himself too superior to be duped or taken advantage of. The Caballum has meaningful influence within his faction, but takes additional precautions. Osmos values the Caballum's unique resources and information, particularly as it relates to finding bloodlines of interest and recovering specimens. He leverages the Caballum's skills with some regularity, establishing boundaries in exchange for mutual cooperation.

Influence in Fairkin Societies

The Caballum's reach among the Fairkin is narrower but more precise. Positions of power are harder to infiltrate successfully, but there is an abundance of peripheral offices where access is rich and scrutiny is lighter. The Caballum's victories look like policy: budgets drift, patrols reroute, embargoes "expire," witnesses remember the wrong details, doubt is cultivated on the right topics, doctrine is reshaped to fit an agenda that won't be enacted for years, etc. They avoid spectacle and make things happen behind the scenes.

Most Warlock clans either directly or indirectly serve the Caballum. They participate in and are given access to black markets, smuggling routes, supply chains, forbidden lore, and other useful services.