The Oxford Cabal

A band of Misfits

She thrusted her cane forward and gently lifted the trellis that blocked their path. As the foliage lifted, the sunlight rushed through and nearly blinded him. He saw a verdant glen, littered with trees and small ponds, all surrounding a beautiful mansion. The mansion itself, built in gothic Victorian fashion, stood three stories tall. Houses walled in the Estate, along with many other buildings. A winding road that led out of the campus, stretching across the glen till it disappeared from view. Tyler struggled to keep his jaw from dropping.
“Welcome to the Oxford Sactruary.” Morrigan said, ushering him through the opening made in the wall of flora.
“You're telling me this won't show up on google maps?” Tyler asked
“Not at all. I make sure of it.” Morrigan replied, sliding her arm around his. They walked toward the mansion, casually stopping to admire the scenery or a statue. They saw men and women practicing their craft in the open, unafraid of prying eyes. Their spells darted across the fields as they aimed for a target placed a safe distance away.

The mansion seemed much larger up close. Eventually Morrigan caught a whiff of peppermint on the air.
“Prepare yourself,” she said with a smile. Ivan stepped out of the mansion. The man was tall, strong, and his white hair and matching beard went well with his smile, which displayed perfect white teeth. He rushed forward to meet them, unbuttoning his overcoat to embrace Morrigan.
“Morrie, You came through the back way?” He said.
“Wanted to show off a bit.” Morrigan replied, tilting her head slightly in Tyler's direction.
“And who is this?” Ivan asked.
“My other half. Ivan, meet Tyler." The man's massive fist absorbed Tyler's as they shook hands.
“Pleasure to meet the man who tamed the shrew.”

— From Blood and Ashes

The Oxford Cabal is widely considered a major organization in The Web, despite consisting of less than a thousand members at any given point in time. While many would classify them as Troubleshooters due to their size, their influence and power is second to none. They are most known for their ability to use The Prestige, the magic system of The Web.

The cabal began as a research effort through Oxford in the late 1800s. The founders were often ridiculed for their practice, focusing their study on mediums and arcane texts. Most of these studies yielded little to no results, which led to insufficient funding as well as several ruined careers.

Those who took part were considered delusional. They searched for lost cities, proof of the occult, and discovering the truth in legends and folklore instead of true scientific study. By the late 1920s, the Oxford branch of paranormal research firmly believed they were to be shut down completely.

The Prestige

The branch was given a final chance. Reports of those with phenomenal power came in from across the globe. The reports spread across several decades, ranging from witches assaulting police with spells during a protest by the women's suffrage movement to a single soldier in World War One, who wiped out scores of British troops, without firing a single round. The reports were vague, and many considered it to be superstition and hyperbole.

Upon closer examination, the researchers found there were many individuals across the globe that shared a gift they referred to as The Prestige. The Prestige comes with its own culture, kept hidden from the prying eyes of those who are not capable of using it. The researchers discovered many strange cults that worshiped what remained of long-dead gods, individuals who possessed unique and singular abilities or various talents that brought both fascination and terror, and proof of a bygone era when such matters were not kept secret.

Some of these fascinating individuals ended up joining the branch, allowing its members to learn the same skills. Most were not so eager to be found. Many individuals that the branch came across were hostile and desperate to protect their secrets. When the findings were revealed, those in charge believed the information too dangerous for the public eye. This led to the disbandment of the Oxford branch of paranormal research and led to the establishment of what will be known as The Oxford Cabal.

The Estate

The Estate is the name of The Oxford Cabal's base of operations. The Estate takes up nearly three square miles of land, and at its center lies a huge mansion. The Mansion has nearly seventy-five bedrooms across its three floors along with numerous bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas for its members.

The most impressive feature of The Estate is its Library. The library features many texts both new and old. The library is also enchanted in many ways, particularly when it comes to accessing its texts. Members of the cabal can go into any library and will always encounter an ornate wooden door secluded out of sight somewhere within.

Opening the door will allow access to The Cabal's library, and the wealth of arcane knowledge it contains. This is also the best way to move to and from The Estate if elsewhere in the world. The estate also uses refurbished aircraft when traveling, using a small airstrip found on the Estate.

The Antideluvian Age

One of the first and greatest finds of the original members in the organization was the discovery of The Antideluvian Age. Often referred to as the Gilded Age, it represents a Time well before recorded history. During this time humanity was at its technological height, magic flowed freely, and the gods themselves moved among their worshipers as equals. Cities would float in the sky and on the sea and the people lived in utopian bliss.

The text, referred to as The Simplistus Arcana, explains all this information, as well as providing detailed sources and magical teachings. This text alone is what many consider proof of the era's existence. It also details a cataclysm. This cataclysm was referred to as The Yggdrasil Shudder, and any other mention or detail of the event is missing or simply omitted.

There are many who question the validity of the text. First, off it is written Latin, a language that did not exist until well after the beginning of recorded history. Secondly, the sources cannot actually be verified as none of them are known to anyone on the planet. Many are still convinced, as a magical teaching with in the book are still valid And are essential to fully practice The Prestige.

The Second Shudder

The belief in this lost age is firmly cemented when a quasi-immortal man by the name of Theodore 'Teddy' Klein joined the Cabal. Theodore Became a person of interest due to his constant Reference to an event he calls the Second Shudder, a cataclysm that is set to destroy the world.The Cabal's research and numbers never crossed Theodore's path before, leading even the most avid of skeptics to question their stance on the matter.