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The Sabbat

An Overview of the Sabbat




The Sabbat is seen by those outside the sect as an organization with no purpose other than to prey on other Kindred and consume their vitae through Diablerie and to spread of dissension and rebellion throughout the younger members of Kindred society. It's members are seen by other Kindred as callous and vicious brutes who place no value on Kindred existence, let alone human life, and seem to revel in releasing the Beast during frenzy. They are entrenched in the occult, carrying on bizarre and unspeakable rituals unseen by outsiders.

This is a gross generalization and misinterpretation of Sabbat ideals. In fact, once one sets foot outside the walls of the Sabbat, a black cloud of misinformation permeates most discussions of the sect. It is this mystery of the Sabbat that has long fascinated younger Kindred of the Camarilla: indeed, some even turn their backs on the Camarilla to join the Sabbat's ranks, never to be heard from again by their comrades in the Camarilla.

Rumors and mistruths do indeed abound concerning the Sabbat, often fueled by the sect itself to prevent the Camrailla frommlearning too much. Most of these can be dismissed, although some of hold a ring of truth.

In reality, the Sabbat is founded on two basic principles: Freedom and Loyalty. The Sabbat is unliving proof of Darwin's theory, the strong survive. The Sabbat heavily bases the creation and recognition of new Sabbat on choosing only the strong and then putting them through trials to prove themselves. They do not see themselves as Kindred, but as Vampires and only use the word Kindred with sarcasm. The Sabbat consider themselves at the apex of the food chain. They speak as if they were the true sons and daughters of Caine and continually try to convert the Camarilla Kindred to their own wild ways. All within the Sabbat are Embraced by members of a pack and then are Blood Bound to each other. Vaulderie, the giving of blood from all Sabbat members to create a bond between the embibers, is practiced. Clan lines are often crossed to gain strength and although different packs within the Sect may arise by city, their loyalty to the Sabbat as a whole can be considered fanatical.

The Sabbat has very firm beliefs about all outsiders. Sect members are known for their distinct separation of everyone into a categorization of "us or them". To the Sabbat, all non-Sabbat are "them", regardless of whether "they" are Vampires, Lupines, Mortals, or whatever. The Sabbat does have a few allies, but the Sect cooperates only to a limited degree, and only when it is to the Sabbat's advantage.

Conflict within the Sect is dealt with through Monomacy, a dual, fought within the Arena. The winner wins the conflict and the respect of the loser. The Challenger sends the offender a challenge which must be promptly accepted or denied. If a Sabbat denies a challenge, he is usually branded a coward, and while no one may force a Sabbat to accept a challenge, the cowardly Vampire is regarded with suspicion by his superiors. If the offender subsequently takes an action deemed harmful to the sect, the Sabbat's superior will remove the Vampire's title an right to lead. Vampires who continuously abuses Monomacy as a way of achieving power over others are usually assassinated under orders of the Inner Circle. They do not like threats to their positions.

Sabbat feel they are superior to humans. They feel no sympathy for humans; indeed, to live and act human, to feel human, is against their nature. Sabbat is the chosen. Mortals are not considered even of the same race as Sabbat. Mortals are considered animals and treated as pets and food. Sabbat occasionally use mortals as followers, servants, and spies. Mortal retainers are viewed as property and their owner may use them in any manner they see fit. Some of the most faithful mortals may become ghouls. Each ghoul is Blood Bound to only one Sabbat Vampire and does not participate in the Vaulderie. The sponsor or owner, is held accountable for all the ghoul's actions."

Clans of the Sabbat

Lasombra: This clan carries the most prestige since, aside from destroying it's founder, it leads the sect. Members of this clan are focused, manipulative and extreme.

Tzimisce: Most members of this clan are inhumanly cruel, scholarly, honorable and peculiar. Originally from Eastern Europe, this clan studies the occult and maintains limited relations with an organization of wizards.

Assamite Antitribu: Members of this clan are almost exactly like all other Assamites, but they have never had the Curse of the Tremere placed upon them, and the blood of other vampires is not poisonous to them. Most members of this clan are members of the Black Hand. They tend to be grim and humorless.

Brujah Antitribu: In a sect known for rebelion the Brujah clan barely stands out. This clan is concidered part of the status quo. Members of this clan are much like their brothers in the Camarilla, and they work the hardest to convert the anarchs.

Gangrel Antitribu: There are two breeds of Gangrel in the Sabbat-City Gangrel and Country Gangrel. The City Gangrel are Gangrel with permanent havens, and for them the city is the ultimate hunting ground. The Country Gangrel are Gangrel who join nomadic packs. They are more like the Plains Indians in nature than the Gypsies.

Malkavian Antitribu: This group is even weirder than its Camarilla counterparts. Its members have to be watched by their leaders and kept in control. However they seem to have a particular insight into the secrets of the Sabbat and the Camarilla.

Panders: This is a clan of Caitiff who united to form their own organization, with their own meetings and rituals. Panders are not concidered inferior to members of other clans in the Sabbat (not openly anyway). This clan is strong and extremely versatile.

Toreador Antitribu: The Toreador of the Sabbat are artists, but they approach art from a inhuman perspective, refusing to pretend they are human through their existance and their work. They explore both the good and bad sides of existance, studying torture as much as they write and read poetry. Their eccentricities are reflected in both their personalities and their creattions.

Tremere Antitribu: The Tremere of the Sabbat are the smallest of all the Sabbat clans, and (with the possible exception of Sabbat Ravnos) the least trusted. Its members have developed Thaumaturgic rituals and paths which differ from those of the Tremere in the Camarilla. The Tremere antitribu have been cursed by their former clan and now bear a magical mark which can be seen only by Tremere of the Camarilla, but which brands them as traitors to the clan.

Ventrue Antitribu: This clan is made up of true rebels. They are among the least respected because of their former clan's role in the Camarilla. The members of this clan love to be concidered rebels and make every attempt to present that image to all others. They are generally dedicated to developing their personal abilities through continued training and education.

Ranks in the Sabbat

The Sabbat is not a very structured sect. There are many levels and positions of leadership. However, unlike the Camarilla, the positions are filled only by the most loyal and capable vampires, regardless of generation. The role of leader in the sect is just that: A Leader. Leaders are not rulers. However, the higher the level of leadership, the more Sabbat will listen to and obey the leader.

The Sabbat uses the titles of clergy to denote the basic levels of leadership that exist within the sect. The practice started partially out of mockery, but has developed into a useful representation of leadership.

Regent - The highest title in the Sabbat is that of Regent, who is the absolute leader of the Sabbat and (according to Sabbat doctrine) is merely overseeing the sons and daughters of Caine until Caine returns to lead his children himself. The Regent is the president, so to speak, of this vampire sect. The Regent does not have absolute authority, but her directives are usually carried out. The title of Regent is currently held by Melinda (Lasombra). There have been only 4 Regents in the Sabbat's history (3 Lasombra and one Tzimisce).

The Regents responsibilities include:

Cardinals - Assisting the Regent are the Cardinals of the Sabbat. This lot has managed to gain control over large geographical regions, similar to how the Tremere Inner Circle have large assigned territories. . The Cardinals seldom answer to the Regent or the Prisci unless their activities have a detrimental effect on the Sabbat as a whole. The Cardinals are responsible for all that happens within their regions, and for planning and delegating all Sabbat activities within their respective regions. There are 13 Cardinals, chosen by status within the Sect and not by clan.

The Cardinals responsibilities include:

Prisci - Below the Cardinals in power are the Prisci. The Prisci act as a board of directors for the Regent, similar to a Camarilla city's Primogen and advising the Regent and the Cardinals about the affairs of the sect. Atthought they report to the Cardinals, they serve the Regent directly. Most are Elders or powerful Ancillae. One member from each clan is chosen, for a total of 13. The most prestigious of the clan members generally hold the rank of Prisci .

The Prisci's responsibilities include:

Together the Cardinals and the Prisci form the Inner Circle. No one with status less then 4 could ever see the Inner Circle to meet with them, unless they summoned you for whatever reason.

Arch-Bishop - Serving each Cardinal of the Sabbat are ArchBishops. Arch-Bishops serve their territory's Cardinal, holding sway over a smaller region, similar to a Camarilla Prince ruling a city. These vampires usually rise through the ranks, serving lengthy tenures as priests and bishops of the sect. Each Cardinal has the power to appoint whomever he wishes to the position of ArchBishop. Some accept bribes, but vampires who gain their positions in this manner often mysteriously disappear. Multiple Arch-Bishops preside over these smaller domains, all contained within a single Cardinal's region.

The ArchBishop's responsibilities include:

Bishop - Below the ArchBishops are the Bishops. The Bishops serve the Arch Bishops and are given domains in a city to control as a vassal for the Arch-Bishop.

The Bishop's responsibilities include:

Priest - Serving the Bishops are Priests, who serve as the religious leaders of Sabbat Packs, of which there is one Priest per pack. The Priests are responsible for leading the Sabbat rituals and ceremonies for the Pack. They may be any ranking or non-ranking member of the Pack and are often the Pack Leader as well.

The Priest is the only member of the Pack that may directly speak to the Bishop about a subject. You may have any status to speak to the Priest, but Status:2 to the Bishop, Status:3 for Arch Bishop, and Status:4 for the Prisci/Cardinal. Status:6 or greater is required to meet the Regent personally. Going against these norms are deemed very deadly, as the Status game is followed by the assassination game.

Paladins - Also called Templars. The protectors of the Sabbat. Originally formed as a response to the fears concerning the loyalty of the Black Hand. The Leaders of the Sabbat may call upon the Paladins, or Templars, of the Sabbat as protectors. From the Rank of Bishop on up, have at least one Templar bodyguard. Many have whole packs of them. The Regent has the largest at 30 members who follow her every whim. The Templars are more loyal to the people they protect then to the Sabbat.

Sabbat Packs

The pack is a basic unit of structure for the sect, serving both social and military functions. All Sabbat, even the sect's leaders, are members of a pack. A Sabbat vampire does not have much choice about the pack to which he will belong since he has no control over who chooses to embrace him. He must remain a member of the pack that created him. Packs maintain their own permanent communal havens. They travel occasionally, but one city remains their home. Packs conduct their business on a certain night each week. These weekly meetings are known as esbats. Often an Ignoblis Ritus will be held during the esbat, but it is mainly used to conduct pack business. All pack members must attend unless a good reason for absence is given in advance.

All Sabbat put their sect before themselves and everything else in the world. They know what will happen to them if they do not. The Sabbat treats disloyalty very harshly, and some members have perfected the art of torture and disfigurement. Final Death is the only real choice for the disloyal.

This does not mean that all within the sect possess the same opinions. Among the fanatics are those with differing views on all Sabbat activities. The Sabbat leaders do not want mindless drones. They want strong-willed vampires ready to face death for the second time. Only strong Sabbat can understand true freedom, and they are the ones who push the sect on to domination.

The Sabbat provides protection, freedom and loyalty to all its members. These gifts are not without their costs. The members are required to protect sect interests, carry out missions and to give the Sabbat total fealty and devotion. All Sabbat have what are called Vinculums, or special bonds of love and loyalty shared with their pack. The Vinculum varies between all members, but always translates into a strong love for and loyalty to the sect itself. While Vinculum strength may vary with each individual bond, Sabbat vampires tend to be stronger in their loyalty and devotion to the sect itself than to individual members. Because of this Vinculum for the Sabbat itself, its members are considered fanatics. Most are willing to accept Final Death for the good of the sect. In addition, this special Blood Bond makes the Sabbat's secrets especially hard to uncover.

From the day a Sabbat vampire is Embraced, she has certain responsibilities. All Sabbat must uphold pack tradition and practices. They must choose and support leaders who serve the good of the Sabbat as well as the good of the pack itself. They must challenge weak and incompetent leaders as well as those who serve only their own interests. They must perform missions for their leaders. They must work to destroy all the enemies of the Sabbat. Finally, they must be willing to give up their immortal lives for their sect.

Unlife in the Sabbat is wild and dangerous. Most Sabbat vampires do not exist long after they have been Embraced. Younger members are considered the most expendable. Constant fighting with the Camarilla and other foes, such as the Inquisition and Lupines, forces Sabbat to live on the edge. While the Camarilla vampires fear Final Death and seldom take great risks, the Sabbat's basic beliefs lead all sect members to do whatever it takes to carry out the mission of saving Kindred from Gehenna.

The pack fills two important, connected roles for the Sabbat. First and foremost, it serves a combat function. This military aspect is important for furthering Sabbat plans. The second function of the pack is to provide a social group for individual Sabbat.

The Clan does not play an important role in the pack. Each clan maintains its own ties, but these are secondary to those of the pack. Clans sometimes hold their own gatherings, and members often partake of the Vaulderie together.

Rituals of the Sabbat

The Sabbat has established may rituals to strengthen its bonds of loyalty and fraternity. Some rituals, called the Auctoritas Ritae, are practiced by the entire sect. Other rituals, called the Ignoblis Ritae, vary in manner and observation among the packs.

Auctoritas Ritae
The entire sect practices Auctoritas Ritae because of long-standing tradition, as well as their significance in Sabbat beliefs. The rituals are usually led by the clergy (the priests) of the Sabbat. The following are the rituals that will be observed on a regular basis:

Other rituals may be observed on special occasions, such as the Festivo dello Estinto, Palla Grande, or Danse Macabre. In addition, all vampires must swear to the Oath of Loyalty. There will be a Pack Symbol and a Test of Verification that each vampire will be made aware of upon completion of all necessary requirements to reach the rank of Cainite. Any time a ritual is to be observed, all members will be given advance notice of the coming festivities. The eldest and highest ranking priest will be responsible for determining which other rituals will be observed and when. If someone would like to see a ritual held they must contact this person to set it up.

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