The Sabbat
The Sabbat came out of the Anarch revolt as hard-core anarchs who refused to accept rule under the Elders (who formed the Camarilla). The Sabbat believe their enemy to be the Antediluvians; prophesied to rise during Gehenna and consume all Cainites. They believe they are working for the first vampire (Caine), and often refer to the Sect as the ‘Sword of Caine’, with other Sabbat Cainites being the ‘Sons and Daughters of Caine’. Furthermore, the Sabbat see the Camarilla as pawns and agents of the Antediluvians, so carry out Holy War against them.
In practice, though, the Elders of the Sabbat aren’t really different to the Elders of the Camarilla, and the two sects are likely just another weapon in the game of the ancients for supremacy. The Camarilla is the largest sect of vampires, has a lot more resources, and many older vampires in its ranks than the Sabbat. In a head-on fight the Camarilla is going to win hands down so the underdog Sabbat have developed various siege strategies, employing guerrilla-style tactics to oppose their enemy.
The Sabbat see the mortal populace as nothing more than walking blood bags, and consider themselves the superior race. Using mortals to get things done is seen as a sign of weakness and may lead to the loss of status in the Sect. With the notable exception of Revenants (special ghouls created by the Tzimisce clan, barely tolerated by the Sect), ghouls are never used - some simply laugh at the weak Cainite that relies on the juice bags, others take a harder view; seeing it as a perversion of the blood.
The deviant nature of the Sabbat doesn’t lend itself well to the path of Humanity, although a number of Cainites stay on the path they walked through their mortal years. Other Paths of Enlightenment are very common. Many Cainites lose all traces of humanity at the point of mortal death; from that time on seeing the world in a whole new way.
Read the Code of Milan; the list of principles by which the Sabbat define themselves.
Structure
The Sabbat have a simple power structure. With the exception of Regent, most of these titles are not fixed, and some chose to assume different titles such as Deacon or Father instead of Bishop.
- Regent
In charge of the whole sect. Equivalent to the Inner Circle of the Camarilla, but there is only one. - Cardinal
Responsible for a geographic area e.g. The British Isles. - Archbishop
Rule over a region, or large city. For example, London is ruled by an Archbishop, as is Kent. - Bishop
A Bishop rules a small city, or presides over several packs. - Ductus
In charge of a pack. - Priscus
An advisor, either to an Archbishop, Cardinal or the Regent (or occasionally, lower ranked Cainites). Often, they form a council (plural; Prisci). - Abbot
Looks after the pack haven. - Paladin
Bodyguards appointed to bishops or higher. - Pack Priest
Works to maintain the pack's spiritual well-being and performs rituals.
There are a number of groups and organisations within the Sabbat:
The Black Hand
Local Representative - The Grey Cainite
A major military force, whose members are scattered across the world in packs. They can be called upon at any time to muster, but don't remain active for very long. All of its members have a sigil shaped like a crescent moon on their right hand.
The Sabbat Inquisition
Local representative - Herr Schmidt
As opposed to the normal Inquisition, the Sabbat Inquisition act as the internal police of the Sect. It is their job to root out heretics and infernalists. They have established a reputation of cruelty, even among the Sabbat, and have been very successful at their job. The Sabbbat Inquisition has unprecedented power; able to move and accuse as it will. They normally travel in small groups.