SABBAT
Unlike the Camarilla, 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.
Also 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.
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.
Core Clans Adherent Clans
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.
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
The name comes from their symbol, an inverted black hand print. The sect is often confused with the Sabbat itself and another mysterious sect, the Tal'mahe'Ra.
The Black Hand, or simply the Hand, are the assassins of the Sabbat. They comprise a special sub-division of the Sabbat, a sect within a sect. They are an elite group of vampires recognized as separate from all other members of the Sabbat. The Black Hand is not truly a separate body, however, since all its members are loyal to the Sabbat over all else.
Often the Black Hand is called to hunt down especially troublesome vampires during a blood hunt.
TAL'MAHE'RA (TRUE BLACK HAND)
The sect was often confused with the Black Hand, which it claimed to have created.
Also called the True Black Hand, the sect was secretive and claimed to have infiltrators in all other factions. The extent of this power and infiltration was debatable, due to the very nature of the sect. Dedicated to bringing about Gehenna and the return of the Antediluvians, these vampires hoped to serve the ancients and gain positions as favoured servants.
Most of the Tal'mahe'Ra were destroyed at the start of the Sixth Maelstrom in the Shadowlands. The surviving members quietly blended into the sects they once infiltrated.
The Bloodlines unique to this sect were the Old Clan Tzimisce (who avoid the mainstream Clan use of Vicissitude), the True Brujah (who wish to avenge their Antedeluvian, who was diablerized by her childe Troile, founder of the mainstream Brujah Clan) and the Nagaraja (a necromantic and cannibalistic cabal of Euthanatos Magi who turned themselves into vampires long before the Tremere). The sect also contained members from various other vampire consanguinities.
The Shadow Crusade of the Sect was a campaign against Vicissitude, which they believed to be a parasitic entity contracted by a Tzimisce Methusulah named Andeleon while in plane of reality known as the Deep Umbra. This came to a halt when their base of operations, the shadow realm answer to the classic Enoch, was destroyed. They chose that place not only for its historic value, but also because four creatures thought to be Antedeluvian vampires slept within it, known collectively as the Aralu. While their spirits were visible through Auspex, they were impossible to find. It is later realized that it was not Enoch, but the illusion created by at least one of the Torpid ancients to better mask his presence. The Shadow Crusade ended with the destruction of Enoch, and other theories believe Vicissitude to be an active piece of the Tzimisce Antedeluvian. The true nature of the Aralu was never disclosed.
INCONNU
Supposedly the oldest known sect, the origin, goals and even very existence of this group are largely unknown to the supernatural population at large. The Inconnu has been linked variously to Infernalism, Golconda, Saulot and a host of other conspiracies. Several cities in the World of Darkness have Inconnu monitors, mysterious elder vampires who do little, other than watch the events of their chosen city.
They were the last secret left unanswered. The Inconnu were elders (Methuselahs) who wished to withdraw from Kindred politics (the Jyhad), kindred seeking Golconda, and hunted clans and bloodlines like the Salubri. All have sworn an oath of Autarkis, the vampires who have turned their back on the Jyhad, refusing to serve a sect, Camarilla or Sabbat, or associate with their Clan outside of the Inconnu.
THE ASHIRRA
The Ashirra are a Muslim sect of vampires who have embraced the tenets of Islam. The Ashirra, which means 'Brethren' in Arabic, still maintain their Humanity and are loosely affiliated with the Camarilla. The sect was founded by Suleiman ibn Abdullah, a Lasombra Methuselah who had heard the Prophet Muhammad speak, and was much more important in The Dark Ages (in part because of the Crusades and Moors). Some rare few Ashirra still practiced older Roads, such as Tariq al-Sama' (the Road of Heaven), even into the modern era. Although they were comparatively rare in the western world, the Ashirra were still powerful in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan, where neither the Camarilla nor Sabbat held much influence. The Ashirra includes members of all Clans, but the most numerous are the Banu Haqim (Assamite), Qabilat al-Khayal (Lasombra) and Hajj (Nosferatu who had undergone the Pilgrimage to Mecca). Rumors claim that the Ashirra were in contact with a Muslim sect of Mages known as the Ahl-i-Batin.
Ashirra Buyut
Unlike the Camarilla, 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.
Also 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.
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.
Core Clans Adherent Clans
- Ahrimanes
- Assamite Antitribu
- Brujah Antitribu
- Gangrel Antitribu (includes City-Gangrel and Country-Gangrel bloodlines)
- Harbingers of Skulls
- Kiasyd
- Malkavian Antitribu
- Nosferatu Antitribu
- Pander - Sabbat Catiff
- Serpents of Light (Antitribu of the Followers of Set)
- Salubri Antitribu
- Toreador Antitribu
- Tremere Antitribu (mysteriously destroyed)
- Ventrue Antitribu
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
The name comes from their symbol, an inverted black hand print. The sect is often confused with the Sabbat itself and another mysterious sect, the Tal'mahe'Ra.
The Black Hand, or simply the Hand, are the assassins of the Sabbat. They comprise a special sub-division of the Sabbat, a sect within a sect. They are an elite group of vampires recognized as separate from all other members of the Sabbat. The Black Hand is not truly a separate body, however, since all its members are loyal to the Sabbat over all else.
Often the Black Hand is called to hunt down especially troublesome vampires during a blood hunt.
TAL'MAHE'RA (TRUE BLACK HAND)
The sect was often confused with the Black Hand, which it claimed to have created.
Also called the True Black Hand, the sect was secretive and claimed to have infiltrators in all other factions. The extent of this power and infiltration was debatable, due to the very nature of the sect. Dedicated to bringing about Gehenna and the return of the Antediluvians, these vampires hoped to serve the ancients and gain positions as favoured servants.
Most of the Tal'mahe'Ra were destroyed at the start of the Sixth Maelstrom in the Shadowlands. The surviving members quietly blended into the sects they once infiltrated.
The Bloodlines unique to this sect were the Old Clan Tzimisce (who avoid the mainstream Clan use of Vicissitude), the True Brujah (who wish to avenge their Antedeluvian, who was diablerized by her childe Troile, founder of the mainstream Brujah Clan) and the Nagaraja (a necromantic and cannibalistic cabal of Euthanatos Magi who turned themselves into vampires long before the Tremere). The sect also contained members from various other vampire consanguinities.
The Shadow Crusade of the Sect was a campaign against Vicissitude, which they believed to be a parasitic entity contracted by a Tzimisce Methusulah named Andeleon while in plane of reality known as the Deep Umbra. This came to a halt when their base of operations, the shadow realm answer to the classic Enoch, was destroyed. They chose that place not only for its historic value, but also because four creatures thought to be Antedeluvian vampires slept within it, known collectively as the Aralu. While their spirits were visible through Auspex, they were impossible to find. It is later realized that it was not Enoch, but the illusion created by at least one of the Torpid ancients to better mask his presence. The Shadow Crusade ended with the destruction of Enoch, and other theories believe Vicissitude to be an active piece of the Tzimisce Antedeluvian. The true nature of the Aralu was never disclosed.
INCONNU
Supposedly the oldest known sect, the origin, goals and even very existence of this group are largely unknown to the supernatural population at large. The Inconnu has been linked variously to Infernalism, Golconda, Saulot and a host of other conspiracies. Several cities in the World of Darkness have Inconnu monitors, mysterious elder vampires who do little, other than watch the events of their chosen city.
They were the last secret left unanswered. The Inconnu were elders (Methuselahs) who wished to withdraw from Kindred politics (the Jyhad), kindred seeking Golconda, and hunted clans and bloodlines like the Salubri. All have sworn an oath of Autarkis, the vampires who have turned their back on the Jyhad, refusing to serve a sect, Camarilla or Sabbat, or associate with their Clan outside of the Inconnu.
THE ASHIRRA
The Ashirra are a Muslim sect of vampires who have embraced the tenets of Islam. The Ashirra, which means 'Brethren' in Arabic, still maintain their Humanity and are loosely affiliated with the Camarilla. The sect was founded by Suleiman ibn Abdullah, a Lasombra Methuselah who had heard the Prophet Muhammad speak, and was much more important in The Dark Ages (in part because of the Crusades and Moors). Some rare few Ashirra still practiced older Roads, such as Tariq al-Sama' (the Road of Heaven), even into the modern era. Although they were comparatively rare in the western world, the Ashirra were still powerful in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan, where neither the Camarilla nor Sabbat held much influence. The Ashirra includes members of all Clans, but the most numerous are the Banu Haqim (Assamite), Qabilat al-Khayal (Lasombra) and Hajj (Nosferatu who had undergone the Pilgrimage to Mecca). Rumors claim that the Ashirra were in contact with a Muslim sect of Mages known as the Ahl-i-Batin.
Ashirra Buyut