Maybe it's just the way I look at the cabal. Playing Marans before the cabal and through it's creation, I see the whole squire thing as a boon, something so that the wait isn't so bad. The way I look at the cabal, is like I look at anything else that needs imm attention. Part of it is your own ability, part of it is a "right time, right place" thing, and part of it is how bright you shine compared to those around you. No system is going to be perfect. Make it to easy, and you have a boat load of retards with a few key people. Too hard or too situational and you get what we have now. MARAN has always had low numbers, and I'm pretty certain that's by design. I personally feel the only problem here, is people feeling they deserve it. If your character and enjoyment *hinges* upon you having MARAN next to your char's name, I just think you are in the wrong cabal. It's like playing a shok empoweree. If you get the immteraction, spiff bonus. If not, oh well, still have fun. Cause if you play a shok empoweree, expecting to have tea parties non-stop, you are going to be severely disappointed. Just my opinion from dealings with Shok and the cabal, before it was around and after.