Ok, let me break down what you wrote and see if I can show the reality of the game.

>>>I'm really not happy with the cabal situation on CF. There are too many levels of limitations.

Restrictions:
alignment
ethos
class
basic beliefs<<<

Alignment-Perhaps there is a misunderstanding on your part what and how an alignment base actions should be. Obviously someone good will not want an Empire type world. A neutral person might be able to live with it, but that doesn't mean they will support the actions of the Empire. If a character fully backs everything about a cabal and his alignment doesn't match the ones allowed, then perhaps that person is playing their alignment incorrectly and should have chosen another alignment. Before you argue that it is preceptive based, you are right it is, however it is the Immortal definiations that matter in this case. Without these rigid laws, so to speak, you would have a game like Everquest or those other Online games where evil and good group with each other. If you can't handle this, then perhaps move on.

A base way to define good and evil is this. These one word definations are an easy guide and beginning way to roleplay. Sure there is more to it, but in the end, these two basics are there. If neither are really present, that person is really basically neutral.
Good-Selfless Evil-Selfish

ethos-Samething as alignment. The ethos you choose should determine how your character is going to be played. I found it rather odd and pathetic of the Chaotic Ethos players who wanted Empire. I'm sorry, someone who is Chaotic is not going to want Order. That isn't their nature. A Neutral ethos person doesn't really care, so why would they generally support such actions? They wouldn't. Again this is defined by the Immortals on these spheres should be viewed.


class-The nature of a class also defines a characters beliefs. Sure you can argue that you became a Ranger (the class) to hunt down woodland enemies, but at that point you *AREN'T* a ranger. It can also be said about how people want to play evil Paladins. Uh, no, you aren't a Paladin if you are evil. Classes have a more real and deep definition then most people are willing to look into. So yes, certain classes should never be allowed in certain cabals, like mages in Battle, Rangers and Druids in Empire, and Necromancers in Sylvans.

Basic Beliefs-How is this restricting? The point of the cabal is that you all have the same basic beliefs. It is the deeper defining of them that molds a character. A cabal can believe that Light should be protected. That could be a Basic Belief. One guy can believe that to do this, evil has to be slain, while another could believe that you should focus on healing and aiding those in need. So, how is this a restriction? This is just a foundation for you to build a character.

>>>The end result, is that you have to make a character specifically for a Cabal. The empire is probably the worst cabal in terms of restrictions. Lawful Evil, and only some classes? Why can't an orderly neutral be in empire?<<<

Yes, but you can make a character that doesn't belong to a cabal too. They do exist and many of them are just as successful. You also are missing the balancing issue of cabals and their restrictions, along with their story line. Empire needs people who are willing to do somethings, that orderly neutral people aren't going to do. Also orderly neutral people can and will have tendacies to do things that might oppose the Empire's beliefs, where someone evil is less likely. Orderly neutral people can't feel the niche of betraying, lies, and such to save their own butts. They are people that do what the law says regardless of the outcome. This will make their survival almost non-existant.

>>>"Orderly Neutral: Also believes in a strong, well-organized government, whether it is a tyranny or democracy. Organization and regimentation bring benefits that outweigh any moral questions raised by their actions."<<<

And it is because fo these beliefs that they aren't able to fit the Empire's mold. Orderly Neutral care about order. Empire Citizens really only care about Power. These are two major differences. Without seeing this, I can see why you would think otherwise.

>>>The best magic enhancing powers are held by good or evil cabals. What if you're a neutral magi who is interested in enhancing your magic? Tough ####. join nexus or sylvan.<<<

First all, you don't seem to understand Warlocks or Scions, otherwise you wouldn't have put this statement here. Warlocks are interested in seeing that magic is used for good purposes, while Scions are generally about using it for their own dark schemes and power hungry greed, not to mention looking after their own butts. So in light of this, there is no cabal that exist for the reason of enhancing your magic.

>>>In summary: Cabal powers are big wet juicy carrots for players who are interested in customizing their character. The problem is, Cabals are too rigid and specific in their entrance requirements. Players are forced to design characters with the current cabal situation in mind.. because it's very hard to get what you want out of a cabal with an independently conceived role / align / class / race<<<

In summary: You want to play whatever you want and have all the cabal goodies without any of the cabal weights. This isn't going to happen. For these cabals entrance requirements to be so rigid and specific, there are tons of unique characters in cabals. You need to realize after you cut your cookie what kind of sprinkles are to be added, or what kind of flavor? Sure it looks the same, but I bet you one thing, it doesn't taste the same. I can tell you for a fact that everyone of my characters have been different no matter how many times I play a similar cabal, or class, or alignment, or ethos, or race, and yet I, like so many others, have found ways to fit inside a cabal. What you see is box, but what really is there are tools and material to make your own house. You just have to open your eyes and see this.

>>>Suggestion: open up the cabal-world to neutrals<<<

Open it up? Lets look at the Break Down here.

GOOD----------NEUTRAL-----EVIL

Battle--------Battle------Battle
Fortress------Herald------Empire
Herald--------Nexus-------Herald
Sylvan--------Sylvan------Scion
Tribunal------Tribunal----Tribunal
Warlock

Goods have 1 whole cabal more than either Evil or Neutral alignements.

ORDERLY------NEUTRAL-----CHAOTIC

Battle-------Battle------Battle
Empire-------Fortress----Fortress
Fortress-----Herald------Herald
Herald-------Nexus-------Nexus
Nexus--------Scion-------Scion
Scion--------Sylvan------Sylvan
Tribunal-----Warlock-----Warlock
Warlock

Again, only 1 cabal difference here. So if you don't believe the world is open to Neutrals, I suggest looking around a bit more and perhaps looking at your own characters and trying to figure out if you are actually playing the Align/Ethos/Class combinations you choose in a reasonable, sensible way.


Karithia