Sabbat (World of Darkness)

articleissues
notable=June 2008
in-universe=June 2008
primarysources=June 2008WoD vampireThe Sabbat (also known as "Sword of Caine") are a fictional sect of vampires, composed of several clans and bloodlines, from White Wolf Game Studio's "" books and role-playing games. Their symbol is an inverted, spiked ankh. Named in reference to the times of the Anarch revolt, when ravening groups of vampires were assumed to be witches sabbats.

Philosophy

All Sabbat adhere to a code of conduct called "The Code of Milan", which preaches loyalty to sect and packmates, and to one's own freedom within the sect, as long as one's own good is never placed above the good of the Sabbat itself.

In addition to a very firm "if you're not with us, you're against us" mentality, the sect considers vampires to be a higher form of life than humanity, and is based upon the principles of Loyalty and Freedom. Loyalty to the sect and to one's comrades is one of the important aspects of the sect, and the Sabbat vampires maintain this loyalty through a ritual called Vaulderie, where strong emotional bonds are created between members of the Sabbat.

Freedom is preached in accordance to the Sabbat belief that every vampire is free to create their own destiny without being hindered by the reputations of their elders, and that no Sabbat has to lay down their life for cowards who cannot take care of their own matters. Of course, it does not always work like this in practice.

Views on Antediluvians

Unlike the Camarilla, the Sabbat believes in Antediluvians, and for the most part considers them a great threat. This is unsurprising, especially considering that the Sabbat was formed in the wake of the Anarch Revolt, and both of the core clans, the Tzimisce and Lasombra, claim that their clan founders were killed during this period of upheaval.

Organization

The Sabbat, as a whole, is not a very structured sect. Though they lack the structure that can be found in the Camarilla, the Sabbat does not regard generation as a guideline for promotion. Instead, simply the most capable of vampires fill the positions they are most suitable for.

Despite its open structure at the bottom, the Sabbat maintains several Ranks, listed from "high" to "low" in the sect organization. The highest rank being Regent, although the sect considers this a stewardship until Caine, the Father of all Vampires assumes leadership.
*Regent, true leader of all Sabbat
*Prisci, attendants/liaisons to/of the regent
*Cardinal, War/spiritual leader for a continent
*Arch-Bishop, war/spiritual leader for a given region
*Bishop, war/spiritual leader for a single city
*Templar, the bodyguards to Bishops and Arch-Bishops
*Ductus, war leader for a single pack
*Priest, spiritual leader for a single pack
*Abbot, keeper of the packs haven

Packs

Perhaps the most distinctive part of the Sabbat structure is the formation of so-called Packs of vampires, a state in general the opposite of standard vampire behaviours. The formation of these Packs happens on a voluntary basis. The Vaulderie ritual ensures loyalty to the Pack, reinforcing their loyalty to each other and the Sabbat.

Sabbat packs are divided into two types, founded and nomadic. Founded packs usually stick to one place and do not move around much, instead making one location their base of operations. Nomadic packs, as their name implies, travel from area to area, helping to keep the Sabbat as a whole unified and vital.

Every Pack has a Ductus (a vampire of higher status and experience who functions as leader) and most have a Priest. Priests lead or oversee the rituals of a Pack. There are some universal rituals within the Sabbat, but Packs usually develop their own, with a wide variety of uses.

Territories

The Sabbat headquarters is located in Mexico City, Mexico, the heart of Sabbat power and influence and seat of the regent. Much of the southern and eastern United States cities belong to the Sabbat, except New York City, which was retaken by the Camarilla vampires in 1999.

In Europe, the sect presence is much smaller, although several domains of Europe are held by founded packs of the Sabbat, made up of vampires much more powerful and experienced than those elsewhere. One exception is Spain, where they are in prominence, Madrid and Cadiz being great Sabbat strongholds.

The Black Hand

A secret organisation within the sect, the Black Hand remains a mystery even for most members of the Sabbat itself. Assamites make up the majority of this group, which is rumoured to form Packs of its own. Only the most powerful, cunning, loyal and intelligent of vampires may be able to join. Its true purpose remains unknown, but it is believed by most of those who have heard of it that it serves as the sect's assassin squad.

Clans and bloodlines

* Ahrimanes
* Assamite "Antitribu"
* Brujah "Antitribu"
* Gangrel "Antitribu" "(includes City Gangrel and Country Gangrel bloodlines)"
* Harbingers of Skulls
* Kiasyd
* Lasombra
* Malkavian "Antitribu"
* Nosferatu "Antitribu"
* Pander - Sabbat Catiff
* Serpents of Light ("Antitribu" of the Followers of Set)
* Salubri "Antitribu"
* Toreador "Antitribu"
* Tremere "Antitribu" (mysteriously destroyed)
* Tzimisce
* Ventrue "Antitribu"

Note: These are the Clans and bloodlines that exist in numbers amongst the Sabbat; members of other bloodlines & clans can also be found but are much more uncommon.

References

*Justin Achilli et al., Guide to the Sabbat (White Wolf Game Studio, 1999, ISBN 1-56504-263-8)
*Justin Achilliet al., Vampire: The Masquerade Revised Edition (White Wolf Game Studio, 1998, ISBN 1-56504-249-2)
*Steven C. Brown & Ken Meyer, The Storytellers Handbook to the Sabbat(White Wolf Game Studio, 1995, ISBN 1-56504-042-2)
*Steven C. Brown & Jeff Starling, A Players Guide to the Sabbat (White Wolf Game Studio, 1995, ISBN 1-56504-042-2)

Links

* [http://www.jcmrpgart.blogspot.com/ Vampire NPC gallery] Npc gallery with Sabbat characters