The Decemvirate

The primary function of the Decemvirate is to guide and govern the Pathfinder Society . Their stated mission aligns with the Society’s foundational principles: the pursuit of knowledge, the preservation of history, and the sharing of discoveries with the wider world. However, the methods by which the Ten fulfil this mission are frequently opaque.

Beyond funding expeditions and directing research efforts, the Decemvirate determines Society priorities at the highest level—including which findings are published in the Pathfinder Chronicles, and which are quietly redacted. They hold exclusive authority over sensitive relics, planar breaches, and geopolitically dangerous discoveries. Their decisions shape the Society's involvement in wars, diplomacy, artifact recovery, and even cultural stewardship.

Goal

The Decemvirate—commonly called "the Ten"—are the ruling body of the Pathfinder Society. Their exact goals are not made public, but they are said to guide the Society’s mission: the discovery of lost knowledge, protection of important artifacts, and documentation of history.

Orders from the Ten are known as The Will of the Ten and are typically delivered through Venture-Captains. These orders often direct major expeditions, political interactions, or especially sensitive assignments. Why the Ten choose certain missions over others isn’t always clear, but their decisions are treated as final.

Leader

There is no single leader of the Decemvirate. All ten members are said to hold equal authority.

Each wears a golden mask that magically conceals every detail of their identity: voice, appearance, even magical detection fails. Not even the Venture-Captains know who the Ten really are. In fact, it’s said the Ten don’t even know each other’s identities.

Only one member of the Decemvirate has ever unmasked themselves publicly: Eliza Petulengro, a Venture-Captain who revealed her role during a crisis in 4719 AR. Some agents admire her for it. Others think it was a mistake.

Headquarters

The Ten operate from the upper levels of Skyreach, the massive tower in the Grand Lodge of Absalom. Most of these floors are completely restricted, and few Pathfinders are ever allowed above the public levels.

Rumours speak of magical defenses, artifact vaults, and even a chamber that sees across the world. No official records confirm this, and very few people talk about what they’ve seen—if they’ve seen anything at all.

To most agents, the upper floors are a mystery—and probably best left that way.

Joining

The Decemvirate does not recruit. No one applies. No one is nominated.

When a member disappears, another takes their place. No announcement is made. No ceremony is held. Most Pathfinders never even know the change happened.

It’s said the masks choose the next wearer, but that’s just a rumor. Probably.