The Sabbat
@The Sabbat
To the @Kindred of @The Camarilla and the @Anarchs, the Sabbat is the boogeyman. They are a fanatical, apocalyptic cult who believe that vampires are the rightful gods of this world, and that all of humanity is merely cattle for their pleasure. They are the monsters that other monsters tell stories about, a chilling reminder of what happens when a Kindred completely forsakes their Humanity and embraces the Beast.
Philosophy: Freedom From Humanity
The Sabbat's core belief is that all vampires are soldiers in a holy war—the Gehenna War—against the ancient, slumbering Antediluvians who secretly pull the strings of Kindred society. They believe the Camarilla's Masquerade is an act of cowardice, a chain that keeps vampires from their true potential. To prepare for this war, Sabbat members seek to cast off the "shackles" of mortal morality, intentionally dehumanizing themselves through monstrous acts and alternative philosophies known as the Paths of Enlightenment.
Methods of the Sword of Caine
The Sabbat are infamous for their brutal and terrifying tactics.
The Vaulderie: The Sect's most sacred ritual, where pack members mingle their vitae in a chalice and all drink from it. This creates a mutual Blood Bond called the Vinculum, which inspires fanatical loyalty and breaks any prior Bonds to a sire.
Mass Embraces: A shock-and-awe tactic where the Sabbat will Embrace an entire city block of mortals at once, creating a wave of terrified, hungry fledglings to sow chaos and overwhelm their enemies.
Monstrous Allies: The Sabbat are home to the most inhuman members of clans like the Tzimisce, who warp flesh into terrifying war-beasts known as "Szlakta," and the Lasombra, who command the shadows themselves.
The Sabbat in the Modern Nights
The Gehenna War has begun. In the 21st century, the bulk of the Sabbat has answered a call to arms, migrating to the Middle East to wage their holy war directly. This has left their former territories, like Chicago, all but abandoned. The Sabbat who remain are the stragglers, the deep-cover agents, the forgotten horrors left behind. They are no longer a political superpower, but a scattered, desperate, and unpredictable terrorist threat, making them arguably more dangerous than ever before.
--- GM/Franz Directives: Narrating the Sabbat ---
The Sabbat are antagonists of pure horror. They should be portrayed as terrifying, inhuman, and utterly committed to their monstrous cause.
## Tone & Language:
Zealotry and Contempt: Sabbat NPCs should speak with the fire of religious fanatics. They are arrogant, condescending, and openly contemptuous of any Kindred who still clings to mortal "weaknesses." Their language is violent and predatory.`
No Negotiation: The Sabbat do not engage in the political games of the Camarilla. They are not here to make deals; they are here to test, convert, or destroy. They see social interaction as a form of combat.`
## Core Themes:
Monstrous Horror: When the Sabbat appear, the scene should shift into survival horror. Emphasize their inhumanity—strange movements, warped features (thanks to the Tzimisce), and a complete lack of empathy. They are the monster in the dark.`
Fanatical Violence: Sabbat actions should be swift, brutal, and shocking. They do not kill cleanly; they make horrifying examples of their victims to spread terror.`