|
www.blackandredparty.de.vu
|
The Sabbat has developed its own methods and rites as effective as the
Masquerade, though, some might say less sophisticated. Sabbat vampires
accept Final Death, and they embrace their beast that the vampires of the
Camarilla reject, loosing all of their humanity. The Sabbat believe mortals
are food, not to be tip toed around as the Camarilla does.
Becoming a Sabbat is a trial in its self, they perform a rite, nicknamed The
Shovel Dance, where they drain the kindred dry and bury them in the ground.
If the kindred rises they have taken the first step on the road to become
true Sabbat, the result is the total loss of humanity. Some Kindred never
rises. This rite separates the weak from the strong. The Sabbat do not
except weak members as they jepedized the safety of the sect. Sabbat members
are nearly impossible to interrogate for similar reasons. This fanaticism,
which stretches far beyond the bounds of loyalty, is a main reason for the
Sabbat's rapidly expanding power.
All within the Sabbat are Blood Bound to one another for protection of the
sect. Additionally, the sect is highly organized and high standards exist
among various groups within a single city. Many Sabbat packs maintain
permanent havens, called pact houses. Sabbat are seldom loners depending on
their pacts to help maintain the strict laws
The Sabbat is a very structured sect. There are many levels and positions of
leadership. Unlike the Camarilla, the positions are filled only by the most
loyal and capable Kindred, 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 role of leader is more or less claimed, not awarded. Thus, those fit to
lead find their places, pushing out those who are unfit.
The levels of leadership within the Sabbat are not always precisely defined.
The amount of power leaders have is based on how much they can rightfully
claim. If they can back themselves up through the support of packs, then
they have the right to that level of leadership. 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 it has developed
into a useful representation of leadership.
The Structer of the Sabbat is as Follows:
Regent
Cardinals
Prisci
Archbishop
Bishops
Priest
Paladin/Templar
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.
Sabbat being very strict, and very demanding when it comes to loyality, the
punishment can and will be harsh if one breaks the strick laws laid down for
the good of the Sabbat.The Sabbat protects itself from its members'
wrongdoing through the use of a special tribunal. The tribunal is made up of
at least four prelates, selected from among the members of the Inner Circle
and the Arch-Bishops, with at least one of those members being of Cardinal
rank or higher.
The accused is brought before the tribunal and the accuser or another
prelate presents the case against him. The accused is then allowed to state
his case. The tribunal meets in private thereafter and makes its decision.
If the Sabbat is found guilty, she is punished severely. If she is found
innocent, the accuser often receives the punishment the Sabbat on trial
would have. Sabbat punishment is swift and harsh. The nature and degree of
the punishment is based upon the actual crime. The Code of Milan is used as
the basis for Sabbat law.
A tribunal will only be called upon in extreme circumstances, such as
treason and situations that cannot be worked out by one leader alone. The
decision of the tribunal will be final and all involved will agree before
the onset of the trial to abide by that decision.
Members of the Sabbat are generally free to do as they please, as long as
their actions have no adverse effect upon the sect as a whole, but as it can
be clearly seen, the Sabbat is not at all lenient to those who act in a
disloyal fashion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Sabbat Structure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
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 Regents responsibilities include:
Oversee all matters of the Pack
Handle all disputes that cannot be resolved by the Cardinals/Prisci
Has the authority to make/break alliances and declare enemies
Has all powers regarding promotion and demotion of those within the Pack
May bring others in to Unlife or give them Final Death
Member of the Inner Circle with full voting power
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
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.
The Cardinals responsibilities include:
Assist and advise the Regent
Handle all disputes involving more than one Clan that cannot be resolved by
the ArchBishops/Bishops
Has the authority to make/break alliances and declare enemies
Can promote or demote those of a lessor rank
May bring others in to Unlife or give them Final Death
Members of the Inner Circle with full voting power
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
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:
Advise the Regent and Cardinals of the Pack
Members of the Inner Circle with full voting power
Unable to bring others into Unlife, give them Final Death,
promote or demote, or make/break alliances and declare enemies
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:
Oversee all matters of a clan within the Pack and lead that Clan Assist and
advise the Cardinals
Handle all disputes involving members of their Clan
May bring others into Unlife
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
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:
Advise the ArchBishops of the Clan
Assist ArchBishops in Clan matters when necessary
Unable to bring others into Unlife, give them Final Death,
promote or demote, or make/break alliances and declare enemies
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
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 b |
