The Sabbat Perspective

The Sabbat Perspective Chapter One: Inside the Sabbat He goes seeking liberty, which is so dear, as he knows who for it renounces life. Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy Storytellers Guide to the Sabbat The Sabbat Perspective The Sabbat has very firm beliefs concerning all outsiders. Its members are known for their distinct separation of everyone into "them or us." To the Sabbat, all non-Sabbat are "them," regardless of whether "they" are vampires, Lupines, mortals or whatever. The Sabbat does have a few allies, but the sect cooperates only to a limited degree, and only when it is to the Sabbat's advantage. The following passages present the stereotypical Sabbat opinions about the various outside groups with whom the sect has to deal. Views on the Antediluvians The Antediluvians are very real. They exist in the outermost regions of the earth, where they are safe. They will awaken very soon and they will be thirsty. They are already planning their return by ensuring that their prey is disorganized and ignorant of the upcoming danger. What is truly unbelievable is how most other vampires outside the Sabbat do not even believe in the Antediluvians. They firmly embrace their progenitors' own Masquerade. The Sabbat must spread the word of the impending Gehenna. Views on the Camarilla The Camarilla is the pawn of the Antediluvians. This sect keeps the younger vampires weak and unprepared for Gehenna. The Camarilla does nothing to protect its members. It enforces the Masquerade, which all Sabbat members know is simply a tool used to keep Camarilla Kindred weak. Vampires are forced like little children to play a silly game of hide and seek, but the Antediluvians know all too well where to find their prey when the time comes. The Camarilla leaders receive their orders from the warlords of the Jyhad and relay information back to them. It is the driving goal of the Sabbat to destroy the Camarilla. If the Sabbat does not succeed in this mission, young and old alike will fall prey to the Ancients. The Sabbat will use any means at its disposal to wreak havoc on the enemy. Views on the Anarchs The anarchs have been blinded by their elders' lies and thus see the Sabbat as a terrible evil that must be stopped. How stupid can they be? They do not even take the time to listen, so they refuse to learn the truth. The anarchs see themselves as rebels. The Sabbat sees them for what they are - part of the establishment. There have been anarchs in the Camarilla since the Convention of Thorns (the treaty that ended the Anarch Revolt). They are part of the Antediluvians' plans for Gehenna. The anarchs serve the Camarilla by opposing the Sabbat. This makes anarchs the servants of the Antediluvians and the Sabbat's enemies. Despite the fact that they are the enemy, the anarchs show potential. If they could be convinced of the truth, they would add tremendous force to the Sabbat. For this reason, the Sabbat makes limited efforts to convert the anarchs. However, the Sabbat usually only hurts its relations with the anarchs by getting them into deeper trouble with their elders. Views on Camarilla Elders Camarilla elders fear the Sabbat as much as they fear destruction. Indeed, many of them view the Sabbat as destruction incarnate. The elders are corrupt and, while many are unwitting fools who know nothing of the Antediluvians' plan, a few do. Those few are the real threat. They execute the orders of the Antediluvians, seeking to slay the young while blindly believing the Ancients will spare them. It is this group that spreads the rumors about the Sabbat and instigates trouble between the two rival sects. Because it is nearly impossible to determine which elders directly serve the Antediluvians, all the Camarilla elders must be destroyed. Views on the Inconnu Many of the Inconnu know the truth. This is why they do not side with the Camarilla. The rest either do not care or are cowards. The Sabbat has had no success in dealing with the Inconnu (possibly because of all the War Parties called against them, as seen later). Because of this, the Inconnu should be destroyed when possible or when necessary. The Inconnu are wild cards with regard to Gehenna. More than likely they will side with the Sabbat, but the Sabbat does not want to take any chances by allowing them to continue to exist. Views on the Assamites The Sabbat holds divided views on the Assamite clan. Certain of the sect's members believe the clan can eventually be recruited into the fold in its entirety - after all, the Assamites long ago left their human values behind. Other Sabbat are very paranoid about the Assamites' role on the day of Gehenna, and fear that the clan will be employed as the Antediluvians' strike force and "shepherds." The shaky consensus among the Sabbat is that while it would probably be preferable to destroy the Storytellers Guide to the Sabbat Assamites, the casualties thereby incurred would make the action a Pyrrhic victory at best. For now, the clan is allowed to exist, and the Sabbat occasionally employs its members to dispose of particularly annoying vampires of the Camarilla. Views on the Giovanni The Giovanni, as a clan, is no real threat. Its members involve themselves in mortal affairs and leave the Sabbat alone. They do not seem to care about the matters of the vampire world. Perhaps they do not see what lies ahead for all vampires. The Sabbat will leave them, in their ignorance and greed, to face their doom alone. Views on the Followers of Set The Snakes are evil through and through and are a strong enemy of the Sabbat. No effort will be made to save them from Gehenna. Indeed, they know all about it and deliberately serve the wrong side. They must be annihilated. The Sabbat must erase every trace of their existence from the world. Even now, they oppose the sect in Florida and the West Indies. The Sabbat must unite to crush them. Views on the Ravnos Clan Ravnos is a pow erful clan. Despite its obvious image problem, its members are just as capable as any other vampires. Their powers are unusually effective. The Ravnos understand the value of freedom better than any other non-Sabbat, but they waste it. They certainly do not appreciate the value of loyalty. They do not oppose the Sabbat, but they are not its allies either. When the time comes, the Sabbat will let them be destroyed. Views on the Arcanum The Arcanum is a bunch of nosy mortals who had best be careful if they do not want to lose more than their noses. As long as the Arcanum does not know the true goals and secrets of the Sabbat, the Sabbat will not destroy it. Should the Arcanum pry too far, it will have a very formidable enemy with which to contend. Views on the Lupines The werewolves should be destroyed. They are a threat to Sabbat security. They weaken the Sabbat, preying off Sabbat nomads and even entire packs. They must be done away with at the sect's convenience. However, they are of secondary importance com pared to the sect's vampire enemies. The Gangrel antitribu are the most avid of all the Sabbat werewolf hunters. Views on the Magi The magi are best avoided. Despite their mortality, they are powerful. They do not involve themselves in the Sabbat's affairs, so the Sabbat stays out of their business. The Tzimisce clan has a shaky alliance with one group of wizards, but will not call upon this alliance unless it is really needed. The Guarding of Secrets Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead. Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac How does a sect of raving, anarchic vampires conceal itself? This has long puzzled and annoyed Kindred outside the sect. It seems to come easy to the Sabbat, even as its members raise hell in the mortal world. The Sabbat has developed its own methods: methods as effective as the Masquerade, though much less sophisticated sophisticated. Sabbat vampires accept Final Death over the revelation of their sect's mysteries. The punishment they would suffer for treason goes far beyond the realms of pain known to most Kindred and kine. Sabbat members are nearly impossible to interrogate for similar reasons. This fanaticism, which stretches far beyond the bounds of loyalty, is a primary reason for the Sabbat's rapidly expanding power. All within the Sabbat are Blood Bound to one another for the protection of the sect. Additionally, the sect is not too highly organized and no standard exists even among various groups within a single city. Many Sabbat packs do not even maintain permanent havens, instead traveling the land as nomads. This unpredictability makes the assimilation of concrete information about the sect a difficult task. The Tremere and Nosferatu of the Camarilla may possess the most knowledge about the Sabbat, but neither of these clans is willing to part with its secrets. It is believed that the Tremere clan was once allied to the Sabbat, but this, like most other beliefs about this mysterious sect, is speculation. Views on Mortals Mortals are no danger to the Sabbat. They are lambs to be exploited as the Sabbat sees fit. Mortal authorities have never posed a threat. Most of them refuse to accept the supernatural as a possibility. They have proven in the past to be easy to manipulate and destroy. Views on the Society of Leopold and WitchHunters It is doubtful whether the Inquisition or any other witchhunters even know about the Sabbat. If the Children of Osiris were around, they might be a threat, but they do not exist. A witch-hunter can be a grave danger or an evening's amusement, depending upon the individual. In any case, the Sabbat deals very harshly with any witch-hunter who kills a member of the Sabbat. The Sabbat has no qualms about witch-hunters killing non-Sabbat vampires. Sabbat Lexicon Abbot - (AB-et) A vampire or ghoul who oversees a Sabbat communal haven. Albigensian (or Cathar) - (al-buh-GEN-see-en) (KAHthar) A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Cathari. Antitribu - (ant-ah-TRIB-oo) "anti-tribe"; the word refers to all members of the Sabbat whose clan as a whole belongs to the Camarilla or is independent. It may also be applied to the Tzimisces and Lasombra who exist outside the Sabbat. Archbishop - (ARCH-BISH-up) A vampire who serves as leader of a Sabbat-held city. Auctoritas Ritae - (OC-tory-tus ree-TAY) The group of rituals practiced by all Sabbat. Bishop - (BlSH-up) A vampire who serves an archbishop by overseeing the various Sabbat activities. Bishops also advise the archbishop. Black Hand - The Black Hand is an elite order of vampires within the Sabbat that acts as a special militia. All its members are among the best warriors in the Sabbat. Storytellers Guide to the Sabbat Blood Feast - A victim or group of victims, tied and hung upside down. The hapless individual(s) is used as blood on tap, especially at parties. Brave - A Sabbat vampire participating in a War Party. Brothers and Sisters - All Kindred. Canonicus (or Patriot) - (KAN-un-ee-sus) A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Honorable Accord. Cardinal - (KARD-in-ul) A Sabbat leader who oversees a large territory. Each cardinal is served by a number of archbishops. Chief - The leader of a War Party. City Gangrel - Gangrel who have established permanent havens in cities. Code of Milan - (mil-LAHN) A code of conduct developed to maintain order in the Sabbat. Communal Haven - A single haven used by an entire Sabbat pack. Consistory - The body of advisors to the Regent. Convention of Thorns - The treaty which ended the original Anarch Revolt. Corrupter (or Heretic) - A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Evil Revelations. Coven - A pack of Sabbat vampires that maintains a permanent home in a particular city. Country Gangrel - Gangrel antitribu who are more at home on the open road. They do not usually live in cities. Creation Rites - The special ceremony during which all Sabbat vampires are Embraced. The recruits are buried and forced to dig their way out if they wish to survive. Daughters and Sons (of Caine) - All Kindred. Dementation - (dee-min-TAY-shun) A vampiric Discipline possessed by many Sabbat Malkavians. It allows them to manipulate and induce madness. Dog - A Lupine. Elysian Fields - (ill-ee-ZHUN) Graveyards and other places of the dead. Esbat - (es-BAHT) The normal weekly meeting a pack holds. It usually features discussion of issues affecting the pack as well as rituals such as the Vaulderie. Festivo dello Estinto - (fes-TEEV-oh day-YO ES-teenTOW) The "Festival of the Dead." This week-long celebration occurs during the second week of March. All the Sabbat vampires of the city and many nomadic packs attend. Fire Dance - A ritual in which Sabbat vampires show their bravery by leaping through blazing pyres. Founded Pack - Another name for a coven. The Great Jyhad - The war that ensued between the Camarilla and the Sabbat for more than 200 years after the end of the revolt that created the Sabbat. Hand - The Black Hand. Harmonist - (HAR-mon-ist) A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Harmony. Headhunter - A Sabbat vampire who collects the skulls of vampires he has destroyed. Hulul - (HUL-UL) The leader of the Assamite antitribu; ritually killed every 100 years. Ignoblis Ritae - (egg-NO-blis ree-TAY) Rituals practiced by certain packs within the Sabbat, but not by all Sabbat members. Infidel - (IN-fa-del) Any Kindred outside the Sabbat. Injun or Indian - A nomadic Sabbat vampire. Inner Circle - The controlling body within the Sabbat. This group serves the Regent, but can overrule her. The Inner Circle is composed of all the prisci and cardinals. Juice - Blood. Juice Bags - Mortals. Jyhad - (JZEE-hod) The members of the Sabbat frequently use the term Jyhad to describe combat with other vampires. This is because almost all war is holy war to the Sabbat. Kindred - Vampires outside the Sabbat. Used in a derogatory manner, since Sabbat vampires do not really consider Camarilla vampires to be their kin. Lasombra - (lah-SOM-bra or lah-ZOM-bra) One of the original 13 clans, its members tend to assume leadership roles within the Sabbat. Loyalist - A Sabbat vampire who refuses to follow the commands of her leader out of loyalty to the goals of the sect. Loyalists believe that to be truly loyal to the sect, they must have total freedom. Loyalists are not well liked by most Sabbat. Monomacy - (mon-AH-mah-see) A duel between Sabbat vampires conducted under formal rules. This is a traditional means of settling disputes. Necronomist - (nek-CRON-um-ist) A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Death and the Soul. Noddist - (NOD-ist) A follower of the Path of Enlightenment known as the Path of Caine. Nomadic Pack - A Sabbat pack that travels constantly and does not maintain any permanent haven. Nomads or Nomadic Sabbat - Sabbat vampires who are members of nomadic packs. Nosferatu Kingdom - The sewer system of a city, especially areas primarily used by the Nosferatu or Nosferatu antitribu. Obtenebration - (ob-TIN-ah-bray -shun) A vampiric Discipline possessed by most members of the Lasombra clan. It allows them to manipulate darkness. Outlander Gangrel - Country Gangrel of the Sabbat who live in the wilderness or travel from place to place, never entering a city. Of all the Sabbat, they have the most contact with the Lupines. Pack - A group of Sabbat Blood Bound to one another. A Sabbat vampire may only belong to one pack at a time - usually the pack that Embraced her, though this is not always the case. Pale Rider - A nomadic Sabbat vampire. Often used to refer to a member of a Sabbat biker pack. Paladin - (PAL-uh-dun) A Sabbat vampire who serves as a bodyguard and assassin for Sabbat leaders. Paladins are not allowed to be members of the Black Hand. Paladins are also called templars. Palla Grande - (PY-uh-guh-RON-day) The Grand Ball held annually on All Hallow's Eve. It is a time when all the Sabbat of the city gather together. It is a masquerade ball,