I seem to get a lot of specific questions about Outlander. While some of these things would be ideally gleaned IC from Outlanders, it seems some Outlanders themselves are unclear on some of these issues as well. Admittedly the cabal concept is a little more complex than some, especially with lingering ideas from Sylvan, so I thought I'd put together this brief FAQ to clarify a few issues:

Q: What is the premise of the cabal?
A: This is pretty much covered in the HELP OUTLANDER and HELP 'OUTLANDER HISTORY' helpfiles.

Q: Do Outlanders require a chaotic ethos?
A: Outlanders can have a chaotic or neutral ethos. (In fact Amaranthe herself is a neutral-ethos persona.) The cabal has a fundamentally chaotic bent, however, and to that effect a chaotic ethos is highly encouraged both ideologically and power-wise. By design, the factor that discourages neutral ethos characters has less impact on highly nature-oriented classes.

Q: Why don't Outlanders accept certain classes or races?
A: There is a unique reason for each and every class and race that is not accepted into the cabal, all for one of three reasons:

1. The class or race has a clear tie to industry or civilization
2. The class or race somehow embraces the idea of enslavement or has abilities that reflect enslavement. Personal freedom is fundamental to the cabal concept.
3. The class or race is somehow is fundamentally offensive to nature.

Which of these reasons applies to which class/race is somewhat open to interpretation by the individual Outlander. (A conjurer, for example, can fit into either reason 2 or 3 depending on the outlook of the individual character.)

Q: So are all these classes and races hunted by Outlanders?
A: Not necessarily. These classes and races are 'distrusted', means they cannot become Outlanders, and Outlanders cannot group with them or otherwise rely on their assistance in conflicts. Outlanders are encouraged to pick and choose who among these races and classes are shown aggression, and which are ignored or occasionally shown tolerance. Patron Ancients sometimes offer guidance in this area. Outlanders who view the 'distrusted' race and class list as some sort of hit list without bothering to develop any creative motivations for themselves will not win themselves any accolades as far as I'm concerned.

Q: So are cabal members expected to show aggression to anyone?
A: Imperials and Tribunal members should always be the primary focus of aggression.

Q: What about thieves and assassins? They aren't distrusted yet they have some ties to civilization.
A: Thieves and assassins have opportunistic ties to civilization, not ideological or cultural ties. Yes, both of these classes are welcome to apply for the cabal, but they should be aware that those ties to the city may cause them to suffer some penalty if they choose to live an Outlander's life.

Q: So are Outlanders really expected to never use coins?
A: A discussion on this matter may be had with any Outlander IC. Suffice to say, no one is going to be outright rejected from the cabal because they bought Academy bread as a newbie. If you plan to be an Outlander however, avoid the use of coins and shops. Barter can be used, though interactions should still be kept with shopkeepers that aren't complete pawns of the cities.

Q: Am I expected to avoid wearing metals if I wish to be an Outlander?
A: Not really. While the Outlander ideal would put an end to mining and forging, what is done, is done. Outlanders have no problem using whatever the find on the battlefield or off the corpses of their foes. The exception to this is adamantite - the processes used to forge this material are so disruptive to nature that its mere existance is offensive to the Ancients.

Q: What's up with requiring prospective Outlanders to have spent a certain percentage of time in the wilderness? Aren't I supposed to be in the cities fighting "the Man?"
A: In spite of rumors you may have heard, this is a very liberal requirement. Applicants are required to spend a substantial but not disproportionate amount of time in the wilderness. If you are rejected on this basis, you are spending way, way more time in civilization than you realize.

Q: What's up with all these crazy rules and directives from the Ancients? Isn't this a cabal about chaos and freedom?
A: The cabal has a chaotic bent due to its ideals and goals, not because it is 'about' chaos in the sense Entropy is. While the cabal values freedom, the Ancients are wise in the ways of the world, and Outlanders who serve them do so by their own free will with the the understanding that it is with submission to that wisdom and power. Because the Ancients value freedom, they will gladly dismiss anyone who seems to be struggling to accept their guidance. The Ancients are free too - free to give or revoke their gifts from those they find worthy or not.