Shattered Kingdoms

As far as I'm aware, there is no guarantee you will get into a cabal for having the proper class/race combination alone. I wouldn't build your character around getting into a cabal though I know many who have, myself included at times, but there are times where the RP just won't dictate an induction.

I recently had a character that started out planned for a tribunal, but ended up in a cabal that was completely the opposite of what I wanted at the start. Sometimes it does work, but other times it can fail.

Centaur hellion/Paladin levels incredible fast. Especially the paladin does with max CHA.

I would stay away from classes with low CHA and long lifespan.