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The Sabbat
“He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.” --- Dr. Johnson
Two clans stand
in open rebellion
to the Masquerade.
Supported by renegade antitribu
from the Camarilla clans,
they are collectively known as the
Sabbat.
They seek freedom from the rules
of the Camarilla, and they
strive to reduce mankind
to the status of cattle.
The centuries long-war
between these two sects has
escalated -- perhaps beyond control.
The anthem of the Sabbat is
total Kindred freedom.
It is this philosophy
that makes them
deadly guerrilla warriors
and a shockingly
disorganized sect.
One Sabbat pack
is seldom aware of
the agenda of
another.
Unlike the Camarilla kindred, they are not bound to the whims of a single sire. Sabbat vampires undergo blood rites that make them fiercely loyal to their sect. Sometimes this rabid devotion is all that keeps them together.
Lasombra
The Lasombra clan has fallen from grace - and its members enjoy it. Simultaneously graceful and predatory, the Lasombra guide - and, when necessary, whip - the Sabbat into an implacable force. Turning their backs upon the humans they once were, Lasombra give themselves wholly over to the dark majesty of the Embrace. Murder, frenzy, perdition: Why fear these things, many Lasombra ask, if one is meant to be a vampire? In contrast to the Tzimisce, though, Lasombra generally seek not to reject all things mortal, but to shape them for their own pleasure.
Tzimisce
If Clan Lasombra is the heart of the Sabbat, Clan Tzimisce is the soul. Even other vampires grow uneasy around these flesh-crafting Kindred, and the clan's nickname of "Fiends" was given to it in nights past by horrified Kindred of other lines. The Tzimisce's signature Discipline of Vicissitude is the subject of particular dread; tales speak of crippling disfigurements inflicted on a whim, of ghastly "experiments" and tortures refined beyond human - or vampiric - comprehension or endurance.
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This means war.
War on the Antediluvians. War against Gehenna. War against the Camarilla, the Inconnu and the cagey independents. War against the witch-hunters, the werewolves, the cowardly anarchs and the herds of humanity. For some vampires, this means war on the very sect to which they belong.
Welcome to the Sabbat. Please keep your arms inside the vehicle, otherwise someone might rip them off and hand them back to you.
For the Sabbat, being a vampire means being a soldier in a holy war on the ancient, cannibalistic monsters who passed on the Curse of Caine in the nights of old. The Antediluvians ---- and their mindless puppets, the vampires of the Camarilla ---- seek to being the fiery bloodstorm of Gehenna on the world and devour their wayward childer. The Sabbat really doesn't want to see that happen. As part of those selfsame wayward childer, they have better things to do than die at the fangs of their malignant progenitors. After all, they have a world to conquer.
To the Sabbat, the eternal struggle is a matter of “Us versus them,” in which “them” means everyone who is not of the sect. Although they aren't above a bit of Borgia-wsque intrigue or an alliance of convenience, ultimately, the sect comes first. Fanatics to the last, Sabbat vampires gladly throw themselves into the fire for their sect, falling on their foes in legions, tearing their enemies apart just as a pack of wolves brings down its prey.
At lease, this is how the vampires of the Sabbat seem to others. In truth, the matter is much more complex ---- isn't it always? Neither the mindless barbarians nor the infernal zealots others who know of them portray them to be, vampires of the Sabbat run dangerously close to becoming so. Having turned their backs on humanity, Sabbat vampires understand that they are Dammed, creatures of the Beast. Rather than bemoan the loss of what they once were, Sabbat vampires revel in their monstrosity ---- they are more than human, cursed in nature for moving beyond the limitation of humankind. And, as is always the case with the Damned, Sabbat are vampires first and sect-members second.
Of course, this means the sect is a rife with treachery, rivalry and outright hostility as any other group of “Kindred” ---- a term of weakness among the Sons and Daughters of Caine. The sect is sick, rotting from within, yet rebelling against its own collapse with a ferocity unmatched by other vampires anywhere.
It’s not a great time to be alive, and it’s a hellish time to be undead. But what choice do you have?
The Code of Milan
By the solemn word of Regent Gorchist, this is the one true Code of Milan, revised from the original manuscript thus night, December 21, 1933. Out of the ashes of our great war may this peace reign everlasting.
An oath of allegiance has been sworn by the regent and the consistory in the presence of all fraction leaders and 50 other witnesses to faithfully follow all the regulations imposed by this code in leading the Sabbat. This revised Code of Milan is agreed on by all Sabbat fractions, including those of Cardinals Huroff, Bruce de Guy, Agnes and Charles VI; and Archbishop Beatrice, Una, Tecumseh, Giangaleazzo, Toth, Aeron, Marsilio, Rebecca, Julian and Salluccio. All other fractions must pledge themselves in support of this revised Code of Milan or claim separation from the Sabbat.
These are the statutes comprising the Code of Milan:
I. THE SABBAT SHALL REMAIN UNTIED IN ITS SUPPORT OF THE SECT SREGENT. IF NECESSARY, A NEW REGENT SHALL BE ELECTED. THE REGENT SHALL SUPPORT RELIEF FROM TYRANNY, GRANTING ALL SABBAT FREEDOM.
II. ALL SABBAT SHALL DO THEIR BEST TO SERVE THEIR LEADERS AS LONG AS SAID LEADERS SERVE THE WILL OF THE REGENT.
III. ALL SABBAT SHALL FAITHFULLY OBSERVE ALL THE AUCTORIT ASRITAE.
IV. ALL SABBAT SHALL KEEP THEIR WORD OF HONOR TO ONE ANOTHER.
V. ALL SABBAT TREAT THEIR PEERS FAIRLY AND EQUALLY, UPHOLDING THE STRENGTH AND UNITY OF THE SABBAT. IF NECESSARY, THEY SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR BRETHREN.
VI. ALL SABBAT MUST PUT THE GOOD OF THE SECT AND THE RACE OF CAINITES BEFORE THEIR OWN PERSONAL NEEDS, DESPITE ALL COSTS.
VII. THOSE WHO ARE NOT HONORABLE UNDER THIS CODE WILL BE CONSIDERED LESS THAN EQUAL AND THEREFORE UNWORTHY OF ASSISTANCE.
VIII. AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, SO SHALL IT ALWAYS BE. THE LEXTALIONIS SHALL BE THE MODEL FOR, UNDYING JUSTICE BY WHICH ALL SABBAT SHALL ABIDE.
IX. ALL SABBAT SHALL PROTECT ONE ANOTHER FROM THE ENEMIES OF THE SECT. PERSONAL ENEMIES SHALL REMAIN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, UNLESS THEY UNDERMINE SECT SECURITY.
X. ALL SECT MEMBERS SHALL PROTECT SABBAT TERRITORY FROM ALL OTHER POWERS.
XI. THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM SHALL BE THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE SECT. ALL SABBAT SHALL EXPECT AND DEMAND FREEDOM FROM THEIR LEADERS.
XII. THE RITUS OF MONOMACY SHALL BE USED TO SETTLE DISPUTES AMONG ALL SABBAT.
XIII. ALL SABBAT SHALL SUPPORT THE BLACK HAND.
ADDENDA TO THE CODE OF MILAN
OBSERVED BY ALL WITNESSING PARTIES PRESENT ON THIS NIGHT, DECEMBER 21, 1933, AND HEREAFTER UPHELD.
XIV. ALL SABBAT HAVE THE RIGHT TO MONITOR THE BEHAVIOR AND ACTIVITIES OF THEIR FELLOW SECT MEMBERS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM AND SECURITY.
XV. ALL SABBAT POSSESS THE RIGHT TO CALL A COUNCIL OF THEIR PEERS AND IMMEDIATE LEADERS.
XVI. ALL SABBAT POSSESS THE RIGHT TO CALL A COUNCIL OF THEIR PEERS AND IMMEDIATE LEADERS.
XVI. ALL SABBAT SHALL ACT AGAINST SECT MEMBERS WHO USE THE POWERS AND AUTHORITY THE SABBAT HAS GIVEN THEM FOR PERSONAL GAIN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SABBAT. ACTION SHALL BE TAKEN ONLY THROUGH ACCEPTED MEANS, APPROVED BY A QUORUM OF PRISCI.
The Clans of the Sabbat:
Lasombra
Tzimisce
Assamite Antitribu
Blood Brothers
Brujah Antitribu
Gangrel Antitribu
Harbingers of Skulls
Kiasyd
Malkavian Antitribu
Nosferatu Antitribu
Panders
Ravnos Antitribu
Salubri Antitribu
Serpents of the Light
Toreador Antitribu
Ventrue Antitribu
Tremere Antitribu
Organization in the Sword of Caine
The Regent
The Cardinals
The Prisci
The Archbishops
The Bishops
The Ducti
The Pack Priests
The Templars
Fractions of the Sabbat
The Black Hand:
The Black Hand is best described as a sect within a sect; a unique group of vampires distinct from all other Sabbat. The Black Hand (also known simply as the Hand or, less frequently, the manus nigrum) is not a wholly independent sect, however, as all Hand members are loyal members of the Sabbat.
The Black Hand consists of vampires of many different clans, but it draws most of its members from the Assamite and Gangrel antitribu. It also includes many militant vampires, for whom clan is often a tertiary concern at best, as they pursue the Sabbat’s ideal of freedom. Members of the Black Hand rarely exist in all-Hand packs; the group instead disperses its number among the other vampires of the sect. A notable few packs made exclusively of Black Hand members exist, but these are rarely seen outside momentous Sabbat events like sieges and crusades.
Conceived as a special militia, the Black Hand is, at its simplest, a military force at the disposal of Sabbat leaders. Like a true army, the Hand specializes in numerous aspects of warfare, from intrigue and intelligence to assassination to outright physical combat.
The Sabbat Institution
The Loyalist Fraction
Lesser Fractions:
The status Quo
Moderates Ultra-conservatives
Old World Tzimisce
Lasombra Antitribu
The Order of St. Blaise
Children of the Dracon
Infernalists
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CAINITES Ex TERRAM
The recruits climbed out of the dank earth, brushing the soil from their clothing. As their captors snatched away their shovels, the prisoners shifted uneasily. The silence was unnerving; the open graves seemed to call out to them. The recruits cowered in the presence of their grinning captors. From studded leather to priestly robes and vestments, this group had a macabre sense of fashion.
What could only have been the “head” priest walked a circle around the group as a drummer beat out the rhythm of a heartbeat. As the priest emptied a vial of red fluid on the ground, he chanted, “As I walk, we come to the place and the time between the worlds; a place without a place, a time without a time; for I am the resurrection and the light, he who drinks of me shall live a new life, with Raphael before me, Gabriel behind me, Michael to my right, Auriel to my left here in this circle of fire.” The flame moved swiftly in its circular path as the perimeter erupted in flames.
The drum halted as each vampire stood before his captive. The priest circulated among the motionless bodies. Ceremoniously he proclaimed, “The Body of Christ, the Blood of the Sabbat?”
“Amen,” replied each soon-to-be sire s he grasped the chalice and smeared an inverted ankh onto the head of the dead recruit saying, “Glory be to Thee, Father of the Undying, Mother of the Unborn. For thy glory flows out rejoicing to the ends of the earth.”
After all the recruits received the mark of Caine, the vampires Embraced them, the cloying aroma of vampiric vitae filling the air. Before the candidates had a chance to regain a new, undead consciousness, the priest proclaimed, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust!” The vampires struck their childer savagely with shovels and threw the victims into the open graves. Howling, they filled the graves with dirt and covered them with wood.
Vestments fluttering the wind, the priest walked a circle around the graves, covering the entire area with the volatile liquid. “The fire purifies all,” he decreed as the area burst into flames. “We rejoice in the power of the flame; we dance in the light of wisdom and strength; we rise to the mercy of the fire; the fire holds resurrection in its flames.”
The drum grew louder and faster as the priest leapt the flames. The vampires danced about the fire as the priest approached them with the Vaulderie. Each member drank and them leapt the flame.
As the spectacle continued, the priest exclaimed, “Like the phoenix, we all shall rise; like the risen Christ, gods we all shall become. Go now, to love and serve the Sabbat.”
As the flames dispersed, the vampires vanished. Only the drummer remained, reducing his rhythm to a heartbeat, the beat of the Sabbat. And God help the city when the drummer remained, reducing his rhythm to a heartbeat, the beat of the Sabbat. And God help the city when the drummer's audience arose from their makeshift graves.
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Dark Thaumaturgical Paths
The Fires of the Inferno
The Path of Phobos
The Taking of the Spirit
Necromancy
The Mortuus Path
Thaumaturgy
The Path of Mars
The Path of the Father's Vengeance
Paths of Enlightenment
The Path of Caine
The Path of Cathari
The Path of the Death and the Soul
The Path of Evil Revelations
The Path of the Feral Heart
The Path of Honorable Accord
The Path of Lilith
The Path of Power and the Inner Voice
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