vamp 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 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 Rituals 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: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The Blood Bath: The Blood Bath is held whenever sect leaders recognize a Sabbat Vampire as having rightful claim to a title. All the Sabbat who will be under the leadership of the vampire are invited to attend the ceremony. Each subservient vampire is brought before her superior. The superior recognizes the vampire and proceeds to give praise and advice. The titled vampire then shares in the Vaulderie with all present. After this, the vampire is actually led to a pool of fresh and blood bathes in it. All ranking vampires (Regent, Cardinals, Prisci, ArchBishops, and Bishops) will be treated to this ritual upon their taking upon their rank. It will be attending by all vampires who are able to be in attendance, whether they will be subservient to that vampire or not. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The Blood Feast: The Blood Feast is held at almost all important gatherings. Humans, and possibly an enemy Kindred, are chained and hung from the ceiling upside down. The Sabbat at the gathering are allowed to bite open the victim and fill their glasses with blood. It is customary to lick the wound closed when finished, so as not to waste any vitae. The Blood Feast is blood on tap. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The Creation Rites: This ritual is used when recruiting new members for the sect. In it, all those chosen