I've played two neo-Nexuns, a mage and a fighter (shifter I can't remember and Dhanzen).
You can play them as you like, honestly.
The shifter I had would attack anything that was on the wrong side of the balance, unless they were good friends. (that's the beauty of lion/cobra...great forms). My assassin fought mostly villagers.
It's really what you make of it. Yes, be prepared to put up with noobz and the occasional chaotic stupid - imo that's the biggest downside to the cabal, but then again I was a victim of Bink.
If you have more specifics, I'd be happy to cover.