The Black Hand
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Rei ContrerasThe Black Hand
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Rei ContrerasA SOURCEBOOK FOR VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE
PLAyInG THe sABBAT
The Black Hand: Playing the Sabbat
LEGAL AND CREDITS
WRITTEN BYRachel E. Judd, Khaldoun Khelil, and Saskia Liddick
E D I T I N G A N D R E A D I N G : Rachel E. Judd, Khaldoun Khelil, and Saskia Liddick
A RT DI R E C TO R : Khaldoun Khelil
COVER A RT: Mark Kelly
INTERIOR ART AND ILLUSTRATION: Mark Kelly, Pexel (Lucas Alves, CottonBro, Dids, Eberhard Gross-
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GRA PHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Khaldoun Khelil
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents 2 Path of Death and the Soul 19
Introduction 4 Path of Power and the Inner Voice 20
emes and Goals 5 Path of Lilith 22
Styles of Play 5 Predator Types 24
Sabbat Lexicon 7 Te Antitribu 29
Chapter One: Creation Rites 9 Chapter Two: Vaulderie 41
e Last Bridge Over the Abyss 11 Sabbat Packs 43
Walking the Path 14 Running in Packs 45
Path of Caine 15 Pack Types 46
Path of Cathari 17 Te Ritae 58
2
THE BLACK HAND
Chapter ree: Blood Feast 73 Chapter Four: War Party 103
Disciplines 76 Sabbat Chronicles 105
Rituals 89 Faith, Gore, and Sex 110
Sabbat Advanages 93 Safe Play 111
Weapons of War 96 Loresheets 114
Servants and Pawns 99 Pack Map: Non-Stop Disaster Clique 132
Allies and Mentors 100 Worksheet: Safe Play for e Black Hand 133
3
Introduction
Introduction
e great loodgates of the wonder-world swung open...
— HERMA N MELVILLE, MOBY DICK OR, THE WHA LE
he Sabbat have always threatened the status uo. ey cast aside all
T illusions of humanity and all pretence of deliberation. e vampires
of the Sword of Caine will not waste another second suabbling
over the corpse of a doomed world. is book builds on the ideas
presented in e Sabbat: e Black Hand for the Fih Edition of Vampire: e
Masquerade as antagonists, but includes systems that allow them to be played as
player characters. While the Sabbat could be called hypocritical, this book pre -
fers to present them as having powerful internal tensions. ey want personal
freedom, but the powers they face are too great to ght alone. Only unied,
devoted, and immune to subjugation can the Sabbat stand against the Antedi-
luvians or their pawns in the Camarilla, Ashirra and Anarch movements. To
break the chains of the blood bond the Black Hand had to accept the limita -
tions of the Vaulderie, but there's power in their Packs and communal rituals
as well. Individualism, Clan identity, and personal ambition still exist in the
Sabbat, but those have to be tempered against their culture of self-sacrice and
wielded in service to the greater goal of defeating the Antediluvians. e Sab -
bat is part death cult, part terror cell, and part revolutionary movement.
ese vampires seek utopia. ey want a world no longer controlled by a
few callous ancients that are happy to see their children ground to dust and
ash over pointless suabbles. e Sabbat can’t go back to sleep now that they’ve
seen the truth. When the Antediluvians nally reveal themselves and claim
their thrones, neither mortal nor Cainite will be spared. e Sabbat see this
existential threat and have abandoned all half measures.
What crime is too great to commit in the face of Gehenna?
If it’s the end of the world, what are we waiting for?
4
THE BLACK HAND
Themes and Goals sacrice everything to stand against them. While
so-called Kindred ignore the warning signs and
e Sabbat in Vampire: e Masquerade explore play their petty games, the Sabbat seeks salvation.
themes that are now central to the entirety of the No price is too great for freedom and losing their
game. Never before has so much of the Sabbat's humanity is only the rst cost they are willing to
philosophy, lore, and concerns been such an inte - bear. While all Sabbat understand the importance
gral part o Vampire’s core game play. e Beckon - of Caine and adhere to inhuman Paths of Enlight-
ing, Gehenna, and the nature of the Antediluvians enment, it is ultimately their Pack they ght for
themselves are explored as story elements because on a nightly basis. eir brothers and sisters forged
the Black Hand has opened these wounds and through blood and violence. Against the end of the
probed its ngers into them over and over again. world no one, kine or Cainite, can stand alone. If
e Gehenna War is everywhere and in turn so is the Sabbat are doomed to fail, then they’ll meet
the Sword of Caine. Pieces of their ideals and story their end the same way they've faced everything
are now deeply embedded in the game's DNA. else. Together.
In short, you cannot escape the Sabbat.
e vampires of the other Sects can no longer Styles of Play
hide from what's coming, and in many ways the While the modern Black Hand is fractured and no
Second Inuisition is only a symptom of the longer tries to maintain a rigid hierarchy, there are
greater doom over the horizon. A stopgap imple- a few common modes of organization that can be
mented by clueless mortals in hopes of eradicating helpful for players starting out as a Sabbat Pack:
the blank body plague, but it’s already too late. e
virus is ancient and has deep roots. e Antedilu- e Nomads: e player characters are an estab -
vians are coming and bombs and bullets are useless lished Pack of Sabbat that travel where they are
against them. e Sabbat: e Black Hand book for needed. ey may have a greater purpose given
V5 tackles the uestion of what it means to win to them when they were formed or perhaps they
the Gehenna War. It asks what is an Antediluvian? are followers of one of the Seraphim or Warlords.
and how can they be defeated? What secrets are the ese Packs are oen composed of a mixture of
Sabbat searching for in the blood of elders that will Clans and Paths, and they are unconcerned with
arm them against monsters clad in the armor of following orthodoxies such as calling each other
aeons? Antitribu or avoiding non-Sabbat vampires.
In this guide for players and Storytellers we e Pack Priest is a player character who is usu -
build on that book but provide no answers to ally devout, but their survival and leadership skills
those uestions, but we give you the tools needed are what their brethren truly value. ese Packs are
to tackle those uestions in play. What secrets will oen concerned with discovering ancients and pry -
your Pack uncover in the Final Nights and will it ing their secrets from their veins. Nomadic Packs
all be in vain? If you emerge victorious what will are oen very large, some numbering as many as
you do with the power of a methuselah? 15 Cainites, but they have very high attrition rates.
Hope, loyalty, faith, and camaraderie are not e core four or ve members of a Nomadic Pack
common themes in Vampire: e Masquerade, but remain fairly constant, but their shovel heads (vam -
they're arguably the guiding principles of the Sab - pires mass Embraced as cannon-fodder) lead short
bat. e vampires of the Black Hand understand and violent unlives. ough those that survive their
that they stand against gods. eir literal crea - early nights are uickly welcomed as true Sabbat.
tors come to devour them but they’re willing to
5
Introduction
e Coven: e player characters are tied to a
domain or territory that is usually contested by YOUR TABLE, YOUR SABBAT
another Sect. e Pack is usually dominated by one The Sabbat are visceral and raw, and their stories
or two Paths and Clans, but not always. A Coven's often focus on the most gruesome aspects of being
purpose is usually dened by the circumstances a vampire. Gore, violence, sadism, cruelty, madness,
of their territory and they can sometimes become fanaticism, and terror are staples of a Black Hand
embroiled in ‘politics’, such as supporting the game and your players should be aware of that. The
overthrow of a nearby Prince or suabbling over Sabbat deals with mature themes and stories that
hunting grounds with other Packs. ese Sab - can make some players uncomfortable or remind
bat oen go out of their way to pay lip service to them of traumatic experiences.
orthodoxies, regardless of their personal beliefs. A Sabbat game should make use of s afety tools
Covens are also the most likely to strictly adhere such as Lines and Veils, Session Ze ro, and the X
to the Ritae as a mystical calendar of holidays that Card. Understanding each player's limits and expec-
guide their nightly unlives. If they follow a Sera - tations can help create a game that challenges and
phim it is usually as a patron Saint they praise and terrifes players without crossing the line into harm.
align with spiritually and politically. eir willing - As with all things, enthusiastic consent is key to run-
ness to uproot the Pack for them will be limited by ning a successful and rewarding game.
the needs of their territory. For detailed information on the above tools, con-
e Pack Priest is usually the most devout or sent, and respectful play see Safe Play on pg. 111 and
politically connected player character but some- the V5 Corebook pg. 421.
times the eldest rules, especially since Covens are
oen dominated by the childer of the eldest among
them. Covens usually number around six or seven
Cainites and they only mass Embrace shovel heads
when their territory is threatened or if they have
to relocate. eir shovel heads are used to insulate
their core members from the vanguard of battle
and are oen le behind to cover their tracks.
e Removers: e player characters are special -
ists called upon by a Seraphim or other Sabbat
leader. ese Packs come from a mix of Clans and
Paths, but are oen dominated by members of the
Path of Caine and the Banu Haqim. ese Packs
are temporary and formed for the sole purpose
of accomplishing an objective. e Pack Priest is
oen a highly accomplished assassin with two or
more dots of Status, or an elder NPC played by the
Storyteller. ese Packs are devout but pragmatic,
doing whatever is necessary to accomplish their
goals. ey are rarely larger than four or ve mem -
bers but their ranks can swell to many times that if
they need to tactically mass Embrace shovel heads.
ose that survive return to their original Packs if
possible or form a new Pack all together.
6
THE BLACK HAND
Sabbat Lexicon
Bond, the: Also known as the Blood Bond or Perfecti: A Cathari spiritual leader, not neces-
the chains. Refers to how Antediluvians and sarily a Priest. They fast, refuse earthly delights,
elders enslave their childer and take on vision quests to see beyond the ma-
terial world. Cathari usually treat them as saints
Book of Nod, the: Fragmentary text collect-
ed by Cainite scholars that tell the tale of Caine Revelations of the Dark Mother: A col-
the first vampire and how he survived the land lection of works that outline the beliefs of the
of Nod with Lilith’s aid Bahari, the followers of the Path of Lilith
Church of Caine, the: The heretical faith Seraphim: Also known as Warlords. A leader of
of the Ashirra and Camarilla that openly wor- a Sabbat Host. These vampires have founded a
ships the Antediluvians, calls Caine a myth and cult of personality who follow their teachings or
denounces Lilith as an infernal diablierist example. Most gained a following after victories
in the Gehenna War. Only a few holdouts from
Dark Mother, the: Lilith. The Bond Breaker the old order have been able to gain the same
and the Gift Giver. The Path of Lilith is small but level of popularity or clout
growing in the Sabbat, and some of its teach-
ings have been adopted by Sabbat Noddists Takbir: A call of faith that is repeated in re-
sponse by all present. In the Sabbat they include
Dark Union, the: The metaphorical joining Praise Caine!, Death to the Antediluvians!, May
of Caine and Lilith. When the Antediluvians are the bonds be forever broken!, and Ahi hai Lilitu!
defeated and vampires openly rule
Uriel’s Promise: Golconda. Although once
Host: A loose alliance of Sabbat Packs that fol- considered a heresy, the large number of Salubri
low or aspire to follow one of the Seraphim Antitribu in the Sabbat and the Sect's fractured
leadership has allowed some new thinking to
Numinous Ritae: A set of secret rituals devel- flourish, especially among Cathari and Unifiers
oped by the Sabbat to prosecute the Gehenna
War and weaponize the Antediluvians secrets Word, the: The collected holy texts of the
Sabbat mostly passed down through oral tradi-
Oaxaca Diaries, the: A collection of notes tion. Foremost among them is the Book of Nod,
from the Diet of Oaxaca, the last Sabbat synod but many Priests also memorize pieces from
before the Gehenna War. The text claims Ante- the Revelations of the Dark Mother, the Oaxaca
diluvians cannot die and predicted that many Diaries, the Erciyes Fragments, and other texts
Lasombra would rejoin their father as traitors
7
Introduction
8
THE BLACK HAND
Chapter One:
CREATION RITES
I cannot make you undersand. I cannot make anyone undersand what is happening inside me.
I cannot even explain it to mysel.
— FRANZ K AFKA, THE M ETAMORPHOSIS
I had oen thought of death, where my soul would go aer
it le my body. Maybe an angel would ake me away or I’d sand
on some shore waiting for a ferryman to deliver. But it was actu-
ally just me, buried under thousands of others, bodies all writh-
ing, all scared, all hungry. A angle of limbs, clawing through
each other and the dirt pressing down on us, writhing to break the
soil over our heads. I pushed myself out of that gore-illed hole, I
wanted to wipe the dirt and ofal out of my ace, but the others
kept crawling out of our communal grave. Surging forward, shov-
ing me along with them.
ere were voices around me, shouting, pushing me and oth-
ers who could only sand and be bewildered away from the crater
in the earth as more of the mangled and bloody scrambled ou.
e voices screamed, “For the Dark Father!” and “Bathe in their
blood”. Battle cries, but I couldn’t see the battle ye. A hunger
drove me aer tha, the shouts around me became mufled as one
voice cut through, the voice that told me to feed. I could smell the
9
Creation Rites
blood on the wind, just up a winding trail. e others were run-
ning that way, blazing a path, leaping over corpses and piles of
ash as everything around us burned. e ire lit up the sky like a
sunrise. e rising moon was framed by mounains and I could
smell the blood pouring from the allest peak. at was where my
hunger wanted me to go, but my body ached at the thought of the
climb.
“Do not alter, child, go. Prove yourself to the Sword and
you may survive to see the bounty.” A woman’s voice said and
she gave me a irm push forward. She wore a gray robe, her ace
covered in attoos, including one of a third eye, but that eye was
alive. She was calm and still and out of place in the chaos. I knew
the crowd of bewildered people around me. ey'd been pulled
from my tour bus and now they were charging up the hill, some of
them running on their hands and feet like wild animals.
“Where are we going? I’m so hungry.” at was all I could
manage and her mismatched eyes took me in. “We go to our ate.”
she said and gave me another push. I saered into a half run, as
something else, that thing in me that hungered, put me into action.
Her words didn’t make sense to me and I lost her in the crowd, but
that thing in me... the Beas... seemed to agree, and I climbed.
— OSCAR ABADÍA, SERAPHIM AND HOST OF THE 'OUR BLOOD' PODCAST
10
THE BLACK HAND
PTSD-like symptoms of hyper-vigilance, paranoia,
The Last Bridge and sudden swings in mood and energy. Most
Over the Abyss will be too far gone to reclaim any of their former
self and without a Priest to guide them will likely
Within the Sabbat there are few crimes as grave succumb to the Beast. While Packs dominated by
as retaining your mortal identity. e Black Hand Uniers and Noddists hunt down such runaways,
has many Paths, but a common belief among them Cathari and other Sabbat assume that the lure of
is that Cainites must leave behind their mortal life the Vaulderie and the pains of withdrawal will
or they will become trapped between the gnawing bring back the worthy.
hunger of the Beast and the false illusion of their ose vampires outside the Sabbat who attempt
old self. is dilemma is exploited by the grasping to adopt a Path will be hard pressed to nd their
elders of the Camarilla and the lost sheep of the way without the guiding hand of a Priest, the pow -
Anarchs. ese so-called Kindred pretend that a er of the Vaulderie or the time tested trials of the
compromise between life and death is possible, but Ritae. While it is rumored that some ancient vam -
why compromise when you can be free? Accept pire Sects also used Path of Enlightenments, their
that you have been perfected by Caine’s blood. teachings and practitioners have likely all been lost
Learn from Mother Lilith and discard the chains to torpor, nal death, or the so-called Beckoning.
of your mortal life. Take up the only strule that Despite the Gehenna War, or perhaps because of it,
matters. e war against the Antediluvians. the Sabbat has not only retained its knowledge and
Pretending to be alive and wearing the rags practice of the Paths of Enlightenments but has
of your old life will not save you when the elders seemingly stripped its ranks of all Humanity.
scour the Earth. Only when the ancients are no
more and the way prepared for the Sabbat's open System: Adopting a Sabbat Path of Enlightenment
rule will vampires be free. e rst step in the reuires a teacher. Trying to learn such a new mind
process of adopting a Path of Enlightenment is the set from books or scanned PDFs would take several
stripping of one’s Humanity. In the Sabbat this mortal life times, and a single misstep would likely
process is usually instigated by the Creation Rites, result in wassail or nal death.
where ritual burial uses trauma to enrage the Beast Once the vampire’s Humanity has been eroded
and lowers a recruits capability to hold their moral to 6 or lower, they may take a new Conviction
center. related to the Path of Enlightenment they are
Newly Embraced and psychologically fragile, pursuing. If they already have 3 Convictions, they
they are goaded by their Sire and the Beast to may replace one of them with this new Conviction
commit horric crimes on the living and the dead. as long as they no longer have a living Touchstone
ey are then rewarded with the exhilarating rst connected to the Conviction being replaced. Many
drink from the Vaulderie chalice, binding them to Sabbat Packs force new recruits to murder or even
their Pack and making them further susceptible to Embrace their Touchstones for the purpose of
the teachings of their Priest; a Cainite well versed “making room” for a Path of Enlightenment to take
in sculpting monsters out of mortals. Every new root. Once a Cainite has their rst Path Convic-
crime is justied and praised by their new breth - tion (see pg. 16-23) they must tie it to a Touchstone
ren until they nd a Path of Enlightenment to call Ritae (see pg. 13). A Sabbat with one or more Path
their own. It is the last bridge over the abyss. Convictions is considered to be walking that Path
Only madness and wassail awaits those that of Enlightenment and this may give them access to
cannot nd a Path before the last of their Humani - Loresheets and other Advantages.
ty is destroyed. e rare vampire who escapes their Each Path has diering methods of scraping o
Pack before this process is complete suers from a recruit’s mortal identity and the Sabbat’s Ritae
11
Creation Rites
are designed to not only dehumanize but also to
teach the basic tenets of the Sect, Noddism, and
Sabbat Tenets
veneration of Caine. A Sabbat chronicle formulates Tenets (see V5
e Creation Rites (see pg. 62) even allow a Corebook pg. 172) in the same manner as any other
vampire to take on a new Conviction when they vampire game, but reuires the Storyteller and
are Embraced. In this way mortals who had few players to synthesize the goals of their Pack with
Convictions in life will oen become zealots of the moral philosophies that guide their individual
the Black Hand. Many adopt the Path followed by Paths of Enlightenment. While this means that a
their Priest, but all Sabbat are free to choose any Pack composed of vampires all on the same Path
Path that serves the Sword of Caine. will likely have fewer crises of faith, it’s oen bet-
Once a Sabbat no longer has any Convictions ter if all players negotiate for Chronicle Tenets that
tied to a mortal Touchstone, they are fully commit - align with the themes of the story they’re telling. In
ted to their Path. While they retain their current a Sabbat game the player character taking on the
Humanity rating and gain Stains normally, they role of the Pack Priest should also take a leading
can no longer buy dots in Humanity. As long as role in advocating for Chronicle Tenets that will
they faithfully walk their Path, anytime they would provide dramatic boundaries for all of their Pack-
lose their last Humanity dot they take one Ag - mates, not just themselves.
gravated Willpower damage instead. is triers Pursuing a Path of Enlightenment means the
their Path Compulsion. A Sabbat who has lled destruction of a vampires’ mortal identity and
their Willpower track with Aravated damage the death of, or estrangement from, their mortal
becomes Impaired. If they take any Aravated Touchstones. ough their new Path Convictions
Willpower damage while in this state they lose mitigate the Stains they accrue, the perverse pas -
their last Humanity dot and enter wassail. e last times of the Sabbat ensure they will regularly gain
of their mortal identity is lost to the Beast. Stains. Without mortal Touchstones, the Sabbat
instead rely on Touchstone Ritae to guide their
Convictions and cleanse themselves of the Stains
they do incur. Some sample Tenet sets for a Sabbat
NO PATH RATINGS
In previous editions a Path rating replaced a vam-
chronicle are listed below:
pire's Humanity trait. Instead of creating a new
mechanic, this book retains V5's Humanity and LAWS OF WAR
Stain system. This means that playing a Path in V5 is
■ Never surrender
reected in a Chronicle’s Tenets and in a character’s
■ No one gets le behind
Convictions and Touchstones. While this means that
■ Never kill “civilians”
a Sabbat must still keep track of their Humanity,
they gain certain advantages that mitigate the dan-
CODE OF THE JYHAD
gers of Degeneration. Humanity in a Sabbat game is
■ Never deny the truth
not a track of their morality, but a measure of how
■ e guilty must be punished
much of their mortal and personal identity they’ve
■ Always strule for freedom
retained. An Albigensian Tzimisce with a Humanity
of 2 may not recall their mortal name, where they
CULTIST CREE D
grew up, or may have long forgotten their original
■ Fangs before blood bags
face. They've kept enough of their mortal self to
■ Never deny your beliefs
ward o the Beast and no more. The rest has been
■ Without a cause you’re nothing
sacriced in the service of the Sword.
12
THE BLACK HAND
IN ENEMY TERRITORY living Touchstone.
■ Never snitch
■ Never use the enemies’ weapons System: Once per Session, a Sabbat vampire may
■ Freedom reuires sacrice make a Remorse roll (see V5 Corebook pg. 239) or
remove one of their Stains when their Pack partici-
GOTH CLUB
pates in one of the vampire’s Touchstone Ritae.
■ Always wear black (perfect your inhumanity)
■ Love will tear us apart (never deny yoursel)
■ Death is eeting (glory is forever) PLAYING PRIESTS
In the Sabbat the role of Priest looms large. These
Cainites are not just a Pack’s nominal leader but also
Touchstone Ritae their spiritual guide and their link with what remains
of the Sabbat hierarchy beyond their Pack. Such a
Instead of pairing their Path based Convictions
meaningful role requires special consideration when
with living Touchstones, Sabbat vampires pair
a player takes it on. They should be cognizant of the
them with specic Auctoritas Ritae (see pg. 58).
power they wield not only over the other players
Even Packs that are composed of vampires all on
but over the course of the game. A Priest leads most
the same Path may have members with wildly dif -
of the Pack’s ritae and will be called upon to prove
ferent Convictions and Touchstone Ritae. ough
their faith and devotion repeatedly. Signs of weak-
most Sabbat revere the Vaulderie regardless of
ness could lead to a Monomacy challenge or even
Path, a Cainite can never connect dierent Convic-
the disintegration of the bonds holding the Pack
tions to the same Touchstone Ritae.
is also means that when these Ritae are together. A player taking on the role of the Pack’s
Priest should be aware of the unique challenges they
disrupted or disrespected, Sabbat can gain Stains
are likely to face. They will be expected to lead and
or Frenzy as if a Touchstone had been damaged
they will also be expected to counsel their Pack-
or threatened. is reverence for the Ritae also
mates when they have to deal with the psychological
extends to any implements the Pack reuires to
perform these Touchstone Ritae. e destruc- and spiritual turmoil that comes with walking one of
the Sabbat’s inhumane Paths.
tion of such an item could result in the loss of
the Conviction associated with that Ritae if the
implement is irreplaceable. is means that Sabbat
Packs guard their Vaulderie chalices, Noddist text
fragments and ritual weapons with great care. In
all other ways Touchstone Ritae operate in place of
a Sabbat vampire’s normal Touchstones.
is is another reason that Sabbat Packs oen
target the mortal Touchstones of their recruits,
to prevent them from regaining their Humanity
if they nd the trials of their Path too great to
bear. It is exceedingly rare for a vampire who has
successfully embarked on a Path to nd a way
to return to Humanity but reconnecting with a
Touchstone seems to be a necessary part of the
process. What seems certain is that no vampire has
ever been able to reclaim their Humanity without a
13
Walking the Path
Walking the Path
We are now loosened from the gravity of identity’s land.
What will we do… what will we do without exile, and a long nigh.
— MAHMOUD DARWISH, WHO AM I, WITHOUT EXILE?
ach Path of Enlightenment has its own ethics, dogmas and doc-
E trines, but how an individual Sabbat vampire is guided by those ele -
ments is a deeply personal matter. e Sword of Caine understands
that the Paths are all that stand between a vampire and their Beast.
ere is no standard or perfect method for how to reconstruct a vampire’s
identity aer they’ve stripped away the human. So while all Devourers revere
Caine, they will individually pursue the teachings of their Path in dierent
ways. Some will loudly proclaim Caine as their literal Father in their takbirs,
while others see Caine as a multitude - a savior beyond gender or morality. No
holy oce or orthodoxy snis for heretics among their ranks. A Sabbat vam -
pire answers only to their Pack, their Priest, and their personal convictions.
e Beast settles the dierence, consuming those that fall by the wayside.
14
THE BLACK HAND
e suested Path Convictions and Touchstone by most Bahari, who have long been persecuted by
Ritae below are examples but not exhaustive, some the Noddists and the heretical Church of Caine.
Sabbat will have very dierent interpretations of
their Paths. Roleplay: Noddists see vanity as a mortal weakness
and tend to wear solid colors such as black, red, or
System: When a Path follower’s Compulsion (see white unless celebrating a High Holiday. ey are
V5 Corebook pg. 208) is triered the player can Cainites of few words but can become very animat-
choose to trier their Path Compulsion in its ed when observing Ritae or when feeling Caine's
place. Similarly, when a Path follower risks Fury or presence. Devourer's speak of Caine with rever-
Hunger Frenzy some Paths reuire them to Ride ence and oen repeat a takbir whenever saying his
the Wave in certain situations (see V5 Corebook name. ey oen keep dogs or wolves as retainers
pg. 219) instead of resisting. Lastly, every Path has and prefer the company of animals to mortals.
Advantages a character can buy if they have a num-
ber of Path Convictions eual to the cost of the Nicknames: Devourers, Noddists
Advantage. All Packmates get the benet of these
Advantages, though some reuire a Path specic Takbir: Praise Caine!, All praise to Caine!, Reclaim the
blood Resonance to activate. blood!, e throne awaits!, Dark ather hear me!
e Priesthood: e clergy of the Path of Caine
are seen as traditionalists within the Sabbat and
Path of Caine prefer to be called Father or Mother. Old fash-
ioned Noddist will even insist on using Latin in
Vampires on the Path of Caine consume the blood the performance of the Ritae, a tradition that was
of the powerful to bring themselves closer to the born out of the mockery of the First Inuisition.
Dark Father. ough they look to the Book of Nod Younger Priests are more open to innovation and
as a guide, they are not a scholarly creed but one of many have even adopted Bahari teachings into
action. Devourers respect the Beast and the power their sermons. ough this has had mixed respons -
of the blood above all things. ey go out of their es, as some Bahari are wary of being co-opted into
way to hunt elder vampires, lupines and other a belief structure that has only recently shed its
supernatural creatures. e elders and few ancilla most patriarchal ways. Packs led by a Devourer are
who follow this Path oen dedicate themselves to oen deeply invested in the Gehenna War and are
delving into the deeper mysteries of ancient texts always on the lookout for elder blood. ey are also
and reconciling the many myths that surround the most likely to lead sedentary covens as a way
Caine and Lilith, but the majority of the Noddists to praise Caine the mason and the builder. While
within the Sabbat are more interested in the here they are not obsessed with power, Priests on the
and now. ey see how the false Church of Caine Path of Caine are rarely replaced without a Mono -
has perverted their teachings into the blind wor- macy, a Ritae they revere above all others save the
ship of the Antediluvians and understand that only Vaulderie.
stolen blood will redeem them.
Noddists have mixed understandings about Touchstones: Devourers oen connect Convictions
Lilith’s role in the Book of Nod, but in the Sabbat to the Monomacy, Vaulderie, or War Party Ritae.
they’ve adopted some of her teachings and accept
her as Caine’s greatest teacher if not an eual. At- Frenzy: Devourers never resist Fury Frenzy, they
tempts by Noddists to reconcile Caine and Lilith in Ride the Wave and target the strongest enemy in
a Dark Union have so far been met with contempt hopes of absorbing their strength.
15
Walking the Path
Path Compulsion: Voracious. e Devourer must Enochians: Devourers are natural urban
feed immediately, and will subdue mortals or predators and can eortlessly make their way
weaker vampires if necessary. If they fail to reduce through the densest cities without being detected
their Hunger by 1 step by the Scene's end they suf - by modern surveillance. No roll is reuired unless
fer a -2 penalty to all rolls for the rest of the night. the Pack is being actively hunted, in which case
their pursuer’s diculty is increased by 2.
Convictions: Devourers choose Convictions that
uphold vampiric supremacy, devalue mortals, and Strange Blood: e Pack has tasted the
seek to emulate a perfected vampiric existence blood of a variety of monsters and it has changed
with Caine as exemplar. them both physically and spiritually. Any attempt
to discern their nature or scry their souls through
Example Path Convictions Auspex, Blood Sorcery, or magic has its diculty
■ Follow Caine’s example in all things increased by 2.
■ Never put a mortal before a Cainite
■ Failure is not an option Feast of Dreams: Whenever a Packmate
■ Faith reuires action successfully commits Diablerie, the Diablerist
■ Reject the mortal world and all Packmates present gain +1 Experience. e
■ e strongest eat rst victims' presence lingers in the Pack's dreams for
many days aer the deed is done. If the Diablerist
confesses their sins before committing the Dia -
blerie they take one Aravated Willpower damage
Path of Caine Advantages instead of losing a dot of Humanity, though their
Priest may inict the Status aw Suspect on them
Devourers look for portents and omens to guide for the rest of the Story.
them, especially in dreams. Some see this as an
acknowledgement that the Land of Nod can be Lessons from Nod: All Packmates can
glimpsed in sleep, and that Cainite spirits leave buy Blood Sorcery as if it was a Clan Discipline.
their undead bodies to wander there during the Once per Story when the Pack Priest performs the
daylight hours. Since the Dark Father was also the Vaulderie, they can place a benecial Blood Sor-
builder of Enoch, the First City, they also tend to cery Ritual they know upon the entire Pack. Cast-
think of themselves as the natural predators of the ing a Ritual of level 3 or higher in this way reuires
modern world. e city is Caine’s gi to mortals the entire Pack to have the proper Path Resonance.
and Noddists take whatever they want from those
dwelling there without remorse or gratitude. Lastly Path Resonance: Phlegmatic
the Devourers covet the taste of rare blood, the
possession of ancient relics and mystic powers such
as Blood Sorcery. Noddists credit Lilith as Caine's
teacher and see Disciplines as tools to gain freedom
from all laws, divine and mundane.
Dream Warriors: e Pack can send short We have deed our false family and yet, here we
messages to each other through their dreams
are brothers and sisters.
during the day sleep. Pack Priests can attempt to
communicate with other Noddists or even trier We deny their poisoned blood and make a Clan of
a prophetic dream by gorging themselves on blood shared sacrifice. When they think their triumph
tinged with the proper Path Resonance. is at hand we shall stand together. Come the day
of Gehenna we shall raise our voices as one and
say… FATHERS! Look behind you!
Have you forgotten your cast off children?
16
We are the flood you will not survive.
THE BLACK HAND
Path of Cathari even refraining from crimes against their Human-
ity are all acts of deprivation Albigensian Priests
e followers of Cathari make up the major- regularly use to spiritually purify themselves. e
ity of the Sabbat, and they exult in feeding the highest among these devout are known as the Per-
Beast’s cravings for blood, lust, and violence. To fecti, and Cathari oen seek these holy vampires
their enemies and detractors the Albigensians are out when they wish to progress on their Path or
hedonists on their way to wassail, but the Path’s nd deeper meaning in their unlives.
deeper mysteries instill a respect for fate and their e clergy of the Cathari prefer informal titles
role as vampiric agents of a divine plan of corrup - unless they have attained the prestige of a Perfecti.
tion. It is their place to feast on the material world ey usually reject all appellations other than
and tempt others unworthy of the spiritual world Priest. In their Ritae they use whatever language is
to do the same. Others call them Devils, but they most common among their Packmates and prefer
see themselves as the angels of a lost demiurge. e ritual implements that are overtly occult in nature
Embrace was their fate and they constantly seek such as goat heads, stone altars, pentagrams, blood
out new potential worthy to Embrace into their chalices, and curvy daers. Devils usually lead
ranks. ese Cainites believe the Antediluvians nomadic packs and see the Gehenna War as a
wish to shatter this preordained cycle of fate by chance to prove their devotion and to call Caine
consuming all things profane and divine. is is a back from occultation so that he may reshape the
perversion of the role Caine was chosen to perform natural order or shatter the wheel of fate. Priests
and when he returns to his throne he shall reveal a on the Path of Cathari are usually willing to step
new kingdom to his faithful children. down in favor of a Packmate they see as worthy,
but will plot and scheme to block the ascent of an
Roleplay: Cathari prefer a ashy style that draws unworthy rival.
attention or shows o their material possessions.
Diamond grills, designer clothes, and expensive Touchstones: Cathari usually connect their
cars are favorite accessories. ey are oen loud Convictions to the Creation Rites, Blood Feast, or
and talkative Cainites who depend on sharply Vaulderie Ritae.
honed social skills to draw in victims. ey rarely
keep retainers and mortals don't survive their mis - Frenzy: Devils only resist Hunger Frenzy when
treatment for long. keeping up a mortal facade, otherwise they Ride
the Wave (see V5 Corebook pg. 219) and attack the
Nicknames: Albigensians, Cathari, Devils most vulnerable targets to demoralize their foes.
Takbir: Praise Caine!, e lesh is alse!, Our souls are Path Compulsion: Exhibitionist. e Albigensian
eternal!, Turn the wheel!, Death to the alse athers! exposes their vampiric nature for all to see in a
grand display and demands attention, subservi -
e Priesthood: e spiritual leadership of the ence, and fear from all mortals present for the rest
Cathari are paradoxically organized but eschew of the Scene. e Devil suers a -3 die penalty to
a formal hierarchy, instead deferring to members any actions not involved in cowing a mortal audi -
who have proven their spiritual purity through acts ence.
of devotion or contemplation. While followers of
Cathari indulge all of their desires and see the sev -
en deadly sins as a weekend checklist, the Priests of
their Path tend to an almost monastic asceticism.
Fasting from blood, prolonged vows of silence, and
17
Walking the Path
Convictions: Cathari prefer Convictions that
indulge their vices, cast mortals as victims, and see
Path of Cathari Advantages
the physical world as a place beyond redemption. e Albigensians enjoy crossing lines and push -
ing others beyond the edges of their own comfort.
Example Path Convictions ey have a preternatural sense for what their
enemies hold dear and few Sabbat can mimic the
■ Rules are meant to broken living as well as the Cathari.
■ Indulge every temptation
■ Seek out and test the worthy Infectious Desires: e Pack's very presence
■ Punish the unworthy has an intoxicating and morally deleterious eect
■ Never harm the spiritually pure or the innocent on mortals. While it is rare for humans to live
■ You can’t change fate, destiny is everything long in the presence of a Cathari Pack, those that
are exposed to them for prolonged periods nd
their inhibitions uickly stripped away. Mortals
nd their Desires beginning to match those of the
Cathari over the course of a Scene and their blood
Resonance will turn Sanguine.
Angels of Destiny: Embracing never causes
Stains or Humanity loss for your Pack. Cainites
on Cathari can reduce their Stains by one if they
Embrace a particularly perverse mortal.
Strike at the Heart: By observing a Cainite
interact with a mortal, Packmates can sense if
the mortal is a Touchstone. Cathari oen use this
power to blackmail their enemies or sni out Sab -
bat still clinging to their Humanity.
Angels of Desire: All Packmates can buy
Presence as if it was a Clan Discipline. Once per
Story when the Pack Priest performs the Vaulderie
they can place a benecial boon upon the entire
Pack. As long as a Packmate has the proper Path
Resonance they gain a +2 die bonus on any roll to
resist Presence powers for the rest of the Session.
Party Animals: Packmates with the
proper Path Resonance can use Blush of Life as if
they had a Humanity 8. While under the eects of
Blush of Life they suer no penalties to their rolls
when interacting with mortals (see V5 Corebook
pg. 237).
Path Resonance: Sanguine
18
THE BLACK HAND
Path of Death and Touchstones: Reapers almost always connect their
Convictions to the Creation Rites, Festival of the
the Soul Dead, or Vaulderie Ritae.
In the Sabbat the Reapers have a reputation as cold Frenzy: Reapers always attempt to resist Frenzy as
and their Ritae are oen reserved. ey see Caine they see the loss of control to the Beast as a tactical
as a rebel and explorer unwilling to compromise or mistake, if not a weakness. ey gain the standard
be held back by the limits of death. ose on this bonus to rolls to resist Frenzy eual to one third of
Path seek the secrets of death and undeath, not to their Humanity rating (see V5 Corebook pg. 219).
better understand their own condition but to con-
uer it. While Necronomists perform experiments Path Compulsion: Necro-Curious. e Reaper be-
and research the mysteries of undeath, they see comes obsessed with the spiritual and necromantic
themselves more as artists than cold practitioners. properties of something in their immediate vicin -
ey are inspired by the restless dead and fre - ity. If the target of their interest is a mortal they
uently welcome possession and communion with may kill it and study it elsewhere, but otherwise
the spirit world. Reapers believe the Antediluvians they will investigate the location with obsessive
have grown too powerful to succumb to traditional interest. If they do not satisfy their curiosity by the
methods of destruction and that stories of their end of the Scene they suer a -2 penalty to all rolls
demise are a great lie meant to hide them until for the rest of the night.
Gehenna’s closing act. It will take more than stake,
re, or sunlight to kill these blood gods and death Convictions: Reapers prefer Convictions that
itself must serve the Sword if they are to prevail. focus on the restless dead, deny existential dread,
and devalue all living things.
Roleplay: Reapers prefer functional and dark
clothing, but many take on a goth look as spirits Example Path Convictions
seem drawn to that aesthetic. Reapers are uiet ■ Never fear death
and even their takbirs are understated and matter ■ Never leave a loose end
of fact. ey see emotions as a weakness of the liv - ■ Never deny your curiosity
ing. Reapers prefer undead servants but are notori - ■ Never refuse the dead their due
ous for eshcraing monstrous ghouls. ■ Never side with the living
■ Never deny the inevitable
Nicknames: Necronomists, Reapers
Takbir: Death is a doorway, Caine's blood conquers all,
(quiet lyrical chant o) Undead, Undead, Undead. Path of Death and the Soul
e Priesthood: e clergy of Death and the Advantages
Soul is almost non-existent outside of individual Reapers are tied to the dead, and their rituals are
Pack Priests. eir Ritae are oen marked by the the perfect play ground for malevolent spirits,
symbology of death. Skulls, keys, and grave dirt ghosts, and the restless dead. ough they Embrace
are common implements and dead Packmates are their recruits with the Creation Rites, Reapers are
ritually invited to celebrate the Ritae alongside creative experimenters and have found other ways
their old comrades. Reapers are superb caretakers to make use of this Ritae.
and will oen relinuish power without any hard
feelings if approached respectfully.
19
Walking the Path
Zombie Rites: e Pack can use the Crea-
tion Rites to raise savage undead from recently- Path of Power and
deceased corpses. No more than two or three can
be created per Session and they can be dicult to the Inner Voice
control. Oen Packs leave them behind to rampage
Cainites on the Path of Power and the Inner Voice
as they make their way out of a domain. Use the
are obsessed with the trappings of dominance
Unbirthed (see V5 Sabbat pg. 43) or Wight (see V5
and increasing their own power. Bending others
Corebook pg. 375) for their stats.
to their will is a core tenet of the Path, but so is
honorably serving those more powerful. Until they
Corpse Eaters: Everyone in the Pack with
falter and the roles are reversed. ose new to this
the proper Path Resonance can feed on blood
Path oen rely on raw power to subjugate others,
from corpses as if they had the Iron Gullet ( ●●●)
but the greatest Uniers know that loyalty given
Feeding Merit. Baed or preserved blood from the
freely is where true power and respect lies. ese
living is still inedible though.
distinctions are only a concern in regards to other
Cainites of course. Whether a mortal is controlled
Safe Passage: Reapers are keen strategists
through trust or by blood servitude is immaterial
and some have maintained a strange web of alli -
to them.
ances and ceaseres among other creatures inhabit-
Uniers believe that vampires are not only apex
ing the World of Darkness. As long as they do not
predators, but the rightful rulers of the world.
transgress, the Pack can pass unmolested through
Mortals who resist or hunt them are actively deny -
the territory of lupines and other creatures that
ing their role in the natural order. ey recog-
recognize treaties with the Sabbat.
nize Caine as their king not because he may have
spawned them, but because he created and codied
Deeply Haunted: e Packs’ haven and
this model of vampiric rule over mortals in the city
ritual sites always attract Spectres (see V5 Core -
of Enoch. When the Antediluvians rebelled against
book pg. 377) that see them as allies. ese angry
Caine and went into hiding, they also destroyed the
ghosts lash out at intruders and make short work
First City and the dream of a Cainite utopia.
of any uninvited spirits entering their territory.
If the right favors and observances are met, these
Roleplay: Uniers dress to convey their power and
Spectres could be tricked or compelled into per-
dominance. Symbols of authority such as canes,
forming other tasks for the Pack.
clubs, crowns, tiaras, and riding crops are oen
part of their wardrobe. Uniers are among the
Shadow Souls: e Pack is infused with
few Sabbat who prefer mortal retainers, but oen
necromantic energy. All Packmates can buy Oblivi-
make use of brands, tattoos, leashes, or collars to
on powers as if it was a Clan Discipline. Once per
mark them as possessions.
Story when the Pack Priest performs the Vaulderie
they can place a benecial boon upon the entire
Nicknames: Uniers, Uhlans
Pack. As long as a Packmate has the proper Path
Resonance they are resistant to Oblivion for the
Takbir: Caine is king!, e First City and the last!, All
rest of the Session as any hostile Oblivion Ceremo -
serve the Sword!, e blood redeems!, Break the bonds!
ny that targets or includes a Packmate in its eect
automatically fails.
Path Resonance: Melancholy
20
THE BLACK HAND
e Priesthood: Uniers are organized but their Convictions: Uniers choose Convictions that
hierarchy has suered greatly since the start of the value domination, submission, and loyalty as vir-
Gehenna War, as the mortal servants and ghoul tues with vampires naturally ruling over mortals.
families they depended upon have been scattered
and devastated. Now Uniers are mostly limited Example Path Convictions
to exerting control locally with few able to claim ■ Loyalty is earned
a title greater than Archbishop. Only Seraphim ■ Might makes right
can gather Hosts as large as the Cardinals of old. ■ Always respect power
Unier Priests believe in rank and insist that they ■ e ends justify the means
be addressed as Teacher, Master, or Mistress, and ■ Never break your word to a Cainite
those who have authority over other Packs are ■ Always reward success and punish failure
uick to lay claim to the title of Bishop as well.
Unier Ritae make use of ghouls as props and
assistants, and they prefer ostentatious implements
such as silver chalices, stacks of money, and thrones Path of Power and the Inner
to echo Caine's rule. Packs led by a Unier can
resemble sedentary covens as they gather mortal Voice Advantages
pawns and inuence, but they have no ualms Followers of the Path of Power and the Inner Voice
about liuidating their assets and moving on when are always willing to use mortal pawns in pursuit
the Gehenna War calls. Uniers see mortals as use - of their objectives. ough the Uniers are some
ful tools, but only glory and victory won in service of the most inhumane vampires in the Sabbat they
to the Sword of Caine will see them reach the pin - pride themselves on being able to dominate any
nacle of power. Priests on the Path of Power and situation and will use any tool necessary to do so.
the Inner Voice are never replaced without a power ey even see their own Beast as something that
strule or Monomacy, though these conicts must be weaponized for use against their enemies
rarely result in a nal death as Uniers will submit and rivals.
when confronted by a worthy leader.
Vassals: Once per Session the Pack can call
Touchstones: Uniers prefer to connect their upon blackmailed mortals to provide them with
Convictions to the Blood Bath, Fire Dance, or cash, favors, or weapons as the criminal or police
Vaulderie Ritae. Contacts (●●) background.
Frenzy: Uniers never resist Fury Frenzy as they Vile reats: When Uniers are drawn
see the Beast as a powerful weapon and as a pure into a test of personality they do not rely on grace.
subconscious extension of their will. When frenzy - Willpower damage inicted by Packmates in the
ing they Ride the Wave (see V5 Corebook pg. 219) rst round of Social Combat are Aravated if
and seek out their enemies’ leaders. they have the proper Path Resonance. Also the
Pack gains a mortal Retainer (●●) background.
Path Compulsion: Supremacy. e Unier is tired
of waiting and serving others, they take what they Leashed and Unleashed: Uniers let their
deserve and demand obedience from their lessers. Beasts loose when needed. When a Packmate
ey suer a -3 die penalty to any actions for the frenzies during combat they inict +1 Aravated
rest of the Scene that don’t involve seizing power health wound that round if they have the proper
or taking their rightful place. Path Resonance. Also the Pack gains a mortal Re -
tainer (●●) background.
21
Walking the Path
Victims on Tap: All Packmates can buy dists attempts to co-opt their teachings as their
Dominate as if it was a Clan Discipline. Also the own. e uneasy relationship between the two
Pack gains a Herd (●●) with a Choleric resonance. Paths has been papered over by the needs of the
Gehenna War and the common enemy they both
Conditioned into Submission: Mortals see in the false Church of Caine that has grown in
serving the Pack have been abused into abject the heart of the Ashirra and the Camarilla.
submission. ey are servile to a fault and won’t
hesitate to sacrice themselves for their masters. Roleplay: Bahari are an eclectic and expressive
ese mortals act as Allies ( ●●●) and will com - creed that dress in modern styles. ey tend to an -
ply with suicidal commands without hesitation. swer uestions with uestions and can come o as
If called upon to sacrce themselves for the Pack, evasive and overly fond of riddles. Lilins cultivate
treat these mortals as a Broken Servant (see V5 an air of mystery and wisdom, but usually prefer
Sabbat pg. 41) . to let others exhaust themselves before providing
their hard won answers on a problem. Unlike most
Path Resonance: Choleric Sabbat, Bahari treat both their mortal and animal
retainers well but are uick to punish disloyalty
. and incompetence. Bahari oen use moths, owls,
and a black crescent moon as their symbols.
Nicknames: Bahari, Lilins
Path of Lilith
Takbir: Ahi hay Lilitu!, For the Dark Mother!, May our
Sometimes considered a forsaken Path, the Bahari bonds never be reforged!, Our chains are forever broken!
are believed to be the only Path of Enlightenment
to have more followers outside of the Sabbat then e Priesthood: e Bahari are small in number
within it. Both mortals and immortals follow Lilith but growing within the Sabbat, making their
and call themselves Bahari, but those of the Sabbat clergy a disjointed collage of Priests and scholars.
tend to avoid their living sisters unless they have a e Bahari of the Black Hand are almost com-
great need. e Path of Lilith believes pain is the pletely cut o from their non-Sabbat sisters and
best teacher and the Dark Mother never spares this split has created some suspicion between the
her pupils from the truth regardless of the conse - two factions. While Bahari have traditionally taken
uences. Not all followers of this Path believe in a Path before Sect approach to their allegiances,
Gehenna or the Antediluvians, but those Lilins the Gehenna War has meant that only the most
who do believe in them, see the Sabbat as the best committed Lilins have stayed in the Sabbat. e
chance of avoiding that dark fate. few Bahari leaders that have stayed within the
Within the Sabbat the Bahari have always had Black Hand have dedicated themselves to spreading
a contentious relationship with the Path of Caine, Lilith's teachings and preventing the absorption of
who in the past accused them of heresy for daring their faith into Noddist dogma. Bahari Priests also
to view Lilith as Caine's eual. Now that the Sab - do their best to warn the Sabbat about the danger
bat has splintered and no longer enforces ortho - presented by the so-called Church of Caine and
doxy, the Bahari have re-emerged. From a seed of their twisted devotion to the Antediluvians.
secretive devotees they've become the fastest grow-
ing faction within the Black Hand in the modern Touchstones: Lilins almost always connect their
nights. Bahari no longer fear being suppressed by Convictions to the Creation Rites, Fire Dance, or
Noddists. In fact Bahari are more wary of the Nod - Vaulderie Ritae.
22
THE BLACK HAND
Frenzy: Lilins only resist Hunger Frenzy if they’re Cultists: Once per Session the Pack can
attempting to hide their true nature, otherwise call upon mortals dedicated to Lilith's cult, as Al -
they Ride the Wave (see V5 Corebook pg. 219) and lies or Herd (●●●). Abusing this cult can draw the
try to wound or cripple their enemies. wrath of their other supernatural allies.
Path Compulsion: Pain Seeker. e Lilin becomes Mother of Monsters: All Packmates can
obsessed with something dangerous in their im - buy Protean as if it was a Clan Discipline. Also if
mediate vicinity. is may be a bonre, a lupine, they have the proper Path Resonance and have the
or even a weapon. Usually the Lilin wishes to be Level 3 Protean power Shapechange (see V5 Core-
harmed by the object of their obsession, but in book pg. 270) they can opt to transform into a cat,
some cases controlling, stealing, or seducing it may an owl, or a snake.
satisfy them. If they do not satisfy their curiosity
by the end of the Scene they will suer a -2 penalty Dance before the Flames: Bahari Pack-
to all rolls for the rest of the night. mates can turn up to three Aravated Health
damage caused by re into Aravated Willpower
Convictions: Bahari Convictions revere Lilith, the damage once per Scene. Also all Packmates with
magic of creation, or the learning of painful les - the proper Path Resonance or on the Path of Lilith
sons. automatically resist Terror Frenzy caused by re.
Example Path Convictions Path Resonance: Sanguine
■ Follow Lilith’s example in all things
■ Never give up your freedom
■ Pain is the greatest teacher LOST PATHS
■ Rules are meant to broken Many Paths are no longer common within the Sab-
■ Never fear the truth bat. Others have been absorbed or co-opted into
the faith of others. The Path of Night favored by
Lasombra is now a sub-Path of Cathari focused on
terrorizing mortals. Other Forsaken Paths could also
Path of Lilith Advantages survive as a subset of another. The Path of the Beast
and Honorable Accord share much in common with
Bahari see Lilith as not only the mother of vam - Power and the Inner Voice. A Player could take Con-
pires, but as the patron of witches and supernatu - victions that focused on dominance and cruelty for
rals that haunt the dark. e lupines, mages, and the former and those focused on loyalty and honor
fey creatures all seek Lilith's wisdom and Bahari for the latter. The Path of Blood is a sub-Path of
feel a kinship with this sisterhood of the night. Caine that exults in Diablerie and believes the Banu
Lilith's Favor: Bahari and others who honor Haqim blood addiction is a blessing to emulated.
Lilith grant your Pack aid and safe passage through The Path of the Sun (see V5 Sabbat pg. 28) is un-
areas they control. is favor can be rescinded if nished. It is not yet coherent enough to provide the
your Pack is caught teaching Noddism or aiding benets of a Path and only Thin-bloods have been
the Church of Caine. able to weather its contradictions so far. A vampire
taking Convictions based on it wouldn't be able to
Moon Blooded: Members of your Pack can take Ritae Touchstones, and would still need mortal
instantly sense when lupines or other shapechang - Touchstones. Fully developing it into a true Path
ers are near. Packmates are also immune to any of could be an interesting story for an ambitious Pack.
the usual drawbacks when drinking lupine blood.
23
Predator Types
Predator Types l (bb ly)
Only vampire blood satises you and when you
hunt alone it’s Diablerie that you seek. e gi of
Sabbat vampires usually feed with their Packs,
Caine cannot be entrusted to the unworthy and
turning the hunt for blood into ritual and sport.
your fangs cleave it from those found wanting.
When le to their own devices, they use brutal
methods that are perversions of the tactics used by
Common Paths: Caine, Death and the Soul
more subtle Cainites.
Hunting Roll: Strength + Brawl or Occult
System: When hunting as a Pack, Sabbat vampires ■ Add a specialty: Brawl (Vampires) or Occult
oen default to succeeding with a cost. ey slake (Vampires)
their hunger but leave a bloody mess in their wake. ■ Lose two dots of Humanity
If the Pack wishes to have a uieter hunt, the Priest ■ Gain one dot of Blood Sorcery and gain one dot
makes a hunting roll as determined by the Story - of Potence or Protean
teller (see V5 Corebook pg. 306 ) and adds an extra ■ Increase your Blood Potency by one
die for each Packmate assisting. ough letting ■ Gain the Methuselah's irst (●) Feeding Flaw
their Pack go hungry in the name of discretion is a or the Stigmata (●) Mythic Flaw
uick way for a Priest to lose their place or worse. ■ Gain two extra dice when rolling to commit
Diablerie (see V5 Corebook, pg. 234)
vg (bb ly) ■ Gain the Sweet Tooth (●●) Flaw: Only diablerie
You haunt cemeteries, mass graves, and morgues can set your Hunger to zero
looking for scraps of life buried in the dirt or
thrown away with the refuse. Dead blood and (bb ly)
spirit ephemera sustain you, and you don’t mind if Immortality has its benets and being undead
you have to dig to get the good stu. means the party never has to end. e Gehenna
War can claim your unlife at any moment and
Common Paths: Cathari, Death and the Soul when you're not ghting in the front lines you cut
Hunting Roll: Stamina + Athletics or Occult loose to soothe yourself.
■ Add a specialty: Occult (Ghosts) or Athletics Common Paths: Cathari, Lilith
(Diing) Hunting Roll: Charisma + Athletics or Subterfuge
■ Lose one dot of Humanity ■ Add a specialty: Athletics (Partying) or Subter-
■ Gain one dot of Oblivion and gain one dot of fuge (Seduction)
Fortitude or Potence ■ Lose one dot of Humanity
■ Gain the Iron Gullet (●●●) Feeding Merit ■ Gain one dot of Presence and gain one dot of
■ When you feed directly from a corpse or spirit, Auspex or Potence
gain the Melancholy Resonance. Draining a ■ Gain the Beautiful (●●) Looks Merit or the Eat
corpse can set your Hunger to zero Food (●●) Mythic Merit
■ Gain the Bad Taste (●) Flaw: Only draining a ■ Treat your Humanity as two higher when using
freshly exhumed corpse sets Hunger to zero Blush of Life (see V5 Corebook, pg. 237)
■ Gain the High life (●) Flaw: Only draining in -
toxicated mortals can set your Hunger to zero
24
THE BLACK HAND
(bb ly) (bb ly)
Deep within their beings mortals wish to be You seek out cruel mortals, and brave discom -
ruled, controlled, and treated as cattle. Whether fort and pain so that you can get close enough to
by divine providence or an unholy curse, their strike. While it is dangerous to keep mortal ties
fear of Cainites has led them to rebel against their in the Sabbat, you maintain a weak and unassum -
true masters. While the natural order cannot be ing mortal mask that you use to lure in your prey.
changed, mortals need not fear the rule of the You play the victim to bait the trap and then show
Black Hand. You feed o mortals that yearn to be them what a true monster looks like. You don't like
freed of the burdens of authority, independence, to play with your food, but oen keep the most
and responsibility. eir gis of blood and treasure interesting specimens as pets or playthings.
are repaid with your stern guidance. rough you
they can catch a glimmer of the utopia to come Common Path: Cathari, Lilith, Death and the Soul
once Gehenna is won. Hunting Roll: Resolve + Insight or Subterfuge
■ Add a specialty: Insight (Empathy) or Subter-
Common Path: Lilith, Power and the Inner Voice
fuge (Playing the Victim)
Hunting Roll: Composure + Insight or Intimida-
■ Lose one dot of Humanity
tion
■ Gain one dot of Fortitude and gain one dot of
■ Add a specialty: Insight (Empathy) or Intimida - Auspex or Blood Sorcery
tion (Bullying) ■ Gain Mask (●●)
■ Lose one dot of Humanity ■ Gain Herd (●●) or Retainer (●●)
■ Gain one dot of Potence and gain one dot of ■ Gain the Dark Secret (Mortal Ties) (●●) Flaw
Animalism or Dominate ■ Gain the Death Wish (●●) Flaw: Only draining
■ Gain Resources (●●●) a willing mortal can set your Hunger to zero
■ Gain the Stalkers (●) Retainer Flaw or the
Known Corpse (●) Mask Flaw (bb ly)
■ Gain the Death Wish (●●) Flaw: Only draining You track your chosen prey relentlessly and butch-
a willing mortal can set your Hunger to zero er them with precision when you corner them. You
prefer to take your time with your victims and
savor every last moment. You're not a subtle hunter,
but what you leave behind doesn't leave a lot to be
identied or traced back to you.
Common Path: Caine, Power and the Inner Voice
Hunting Roll: Wits + Animal Ken or Survival
■ Add a specialty: Animal Ken (Predator) or
Survival (Tracking)
■ Lose two dots of Humanity
■ Gain one dot of Protean and gain one dot of
Animalism or Obfuscate
■ Increase your Blood Potency by one
■ Gain the Organovore (●●) Feeding Flaw
■ Slake one extra Hunger when you hunt alone
■ Gain the Bestial Hunger (●) Flaw: You can only
set your Hunger to zero by consuming your
victim's heart
25
Predator Types
x (bb ly) (bb ly)
You act as a guardian to the Children of Seth, prey- You may have been a spiritual leader, a manipula-
ing on mortal criminals to remind them that they tive abuser, or even a therapist in your breathing
are not the true monsters in the night. Or perhaps days. As a Cainite, you gaslight and undermine
you simply nd the blood of predators delicious. your victims until they see themselves through your
You feed on mortals who have betrayed, cheated, eyes and willingly give themselves to you for the
or killed their own kind. Whether it's petty the absolution that comes from your forgiveness and
or murder, the crime makes little dierence to you. your sublime Kiss. Many Sabbat Bahari and Hecata
Aer tracking your victims down you oen pose take a special interest in cleansing mortals of their
as their guilty conscience or wear the face of their spiritual or moral sins. Mortals thank you through
victims before passing your sentence upon them. tears of pleasure and pain as you bleed them.
Common Path: Cathari, Power and the Inner Voice Common Path: Cathari, Lilith
Hunting Roll: Wits + Intimidation or Streetwise Hunting Roll: Wits + Academics or Persuasion
■ Add a specialty: Intimidation (reats) or Street- ■ Add a specialty: Persuasion (Gaslighting) or
wise (Bad Neighborhoods) Academics (Psychology)
■ Lose one dot of Humanity ■ Lose one dot of Humanity
■ Gain one dot of Potence and gain one dot of ■ Gain one dot of Dominate and gain one dot of
Auspex or Obfuscate Celerity or Presence
■ Gain Police or Criminal Contacts (●●●) ■ Gain Herd (●●) and Haven (●)
■ Gain the Dark Secret (Mortal Ties) (●●) Flaw ■ Gain the Dark Secret (Mortal Ties) (●●) Flaw
■ Gain the Death Sentence (●) Flaw: Only draining ■ Gain the Death Wish (●) Flaw: Only draining a
a murderer can set your Hunger to zero willing mortal can set your Hunger to zero
26
THE BLACK HAND
On the third night I dream of you childe.
You are in the crypt of the allen, but it has changed.
No satues or candles or ashes. Only an abandoned stone room
with walls adorned with ancient apestries and a well swept loor.
e hanging textiles depict a cup illed with a deep red wine, a city
of strange angles and architecture in the background.
In the wall is a door you have never seen before.
It is open, and a all pale woman in a rich blue gown steps into the
empty room. Dark blood is smeared on her lips and a wild bes-
tial look is on her ace. Her head tilts as if she hears a aint sound
above her, she begins to move her well-muscled body rhythmically
as if to a silent song. You sense above her there is revelry and the
blood of the dead. Behind her you see the shadowy shapes of other
vampires crossing the threshold, you sense their great hunger as
they rush as a blur towards a song only they can hear and the
hunger for blood only they can smell.
e blood of their children.
— ABRAHAM TILLINGHAST, VISIONS FROM A MAZE: NOTES ON THE OAXACA DIARIES
27
Predator Types
28
THE BLACK HAND
THE ANTITRIBU
Clans in the Sabbat and brotherhood. Our founder gave us his blood
and his wisdom, which has guided us for centuries.
ere are no clans in the Sabbat, only the Anti - Although he shall fall under our fangs one night,
tribu and the clanless. is o repeated dogma his Path echoes within us for it was passed to him
is not so much a lie as an unrealized ideal within from Caine himself, all praises to the Dark Father.
the Black Hand. While the vampires of the Sabbat It is clear how we ought to treat our kin, the other
strule to reimagine themselves without being Cainites, and the mortals. Other Cainites fear this
tied to their Antediluvians, the simple truth of the Path for it demands much. It is a cruel way, but it
matter is that they cannot cleanse themselves of is our duty to Caine, all praises to the Dark Father.
the powers or Banes of their clan founders. e other Cainites are the engineers of their
While many Sabbat Cainites proudly call own downfall. When the whole world is against
themselves Antitribu in larger gatherings, among us, you have only your kin to rely on. We under -
their Packmates they have no ualms about speak - stand brotherhood better than any other clan, and
ing plainly about the blood running through their though we must call ourselves Antitribu, blood
dead veins. Sabbat usually draw clan symbols calls to blood. Brother always knows brother.
defaced with an inverted ankh or a black crescent. No, these are not the secrets you are bound to
ough openly advancing your clan's interests or keep. is is. e night will soon belong to us. It is
showing favor based on the same is a sure way to time for us to take up the mantle long-denied but
being punished or even destroyed. well-deserved. It is time for us to guide the Sabbat.
I see the look on your face, and you must be
realizing how self-evident this is. e Sabbat is
Banu Haqim our faith, is it not? And have we not drawn on the
What I say to you now, are for your ears only and faithful for our childer for generations? Do we
the ears of trusted kin. You know well the punish - not revere our own founder, who through Caine,
ment for treason, threats only waste our time. all praises to the Dark Father, laid out the Path
As I have taught you the history of our line, two of blood? Were we not the true Black Hand? Our
things should have be clear to you. e rst is how legacy of service proved, time and time again, that
the other clans have been desperate to keep ours the Sabbat could not survive without us?
small and powerless. How they came together to We have been servants and spies for too long.
curse us because they feared us so. We must seize our due. So many Lasombra aban-
e second is how that fear was justied. Not doned the Sabbat and it has created a vacuum only
because we are the ‘mysterious, bloodthirsty as - we can ll. Seek power, but not openly. Let your
sassins.’ No, they are right to be afraid as we have competence speak for itself when your Pack must
mastered the two things which ensure success and select a new Priest. Be not afraid to claim the title
which the other clans still strule to accept: duty of Bishop when weaker packs gather. Make allies
29
Te Antitribu
of the Tzimisce, who will play kingmaker. Accrue
debts of gratitude with those of other clans. Guard
over your loyal childer and bring them in to this
plan when the time is right, as I am doing with you.
Brujah
ey can swear up and down that it's the strength
of thousands gathering under the Sword of Caine
that makes us strong, but let’s keep it 100. It isn’t
the blue bloods or the shadow people or the esh
freaks and their creepy crawlies keeping the Black
Hand in the ght.
Nah baby, it's us.
We’re the reason Cainites get anything done.
Sabbat, Cam, Anarch. We’re always at the heart
of shit. e hands that get dirty and the minds
making up the reasons why we even bother get-
ting out of the con. We sharpen the Sword like
a whetstone is the way my Priest puts it. Brujah
rallied the broken Black Hand and it was our zeal mortal brain all marinated and brined in Brujah
that rebuilt our Father’s house. Our temper may pickle juice?!? at only wants to ght, feed and
scare you, but at the end of the night it's us keeping fuck? Maybe in that order, though my fucking
everyone honest. We’re here to pull down the old days are long gone since I accepted Caine into my
system and make sure the elders never get back on heart and all that. Just, che’s kiss, baby. Sit back
top. e Lasombra tried to turn this thing of ours and watch a shovel head tear it up in the blood and
into their own little fucked up Cam Club, and we dust.
tossed them out on their ass like Michael archangel Now me, I’m past all that. No seriously. I’m on
bouncing old Lucifer down the hell hole. Back to the Path, kid. Caine’s touched my heart and lled
the abyss for the brave ones that fought and slaves me with a passion I’ve never felt before - better
to the Ivory Tower for the traitors that ran. We than Diablerie son. Fuck, don’t tell my Priest I
kept the good ones but watch out for their o- said that either. Must be that suit we ate earlier,
brand hentacles. those fuckers are always micro-dosing LSD at work
You wanna know what makes us Brujah? Oh nowadays. You know that father and son shit don't
sorry, makes us Brujah Antitribu. My Priest keeps y, but I’m just looking out for you like a brother
reminding me, old habits. Don’t rat me out kid or right now OK? Cool? Now I’m on that Caine high
she’ll have me hanging on hooks for the night till I and nobody can tell me nothing. We got our hands
get it right. What makes us… us, we show up. at’s on some scraps of the Word, and I devoured that
what it’s about, baby. We show up when shit gets shit like a Cam Lasombra eating a Ventrue’s ass. I
real and everyone is happy to have us when their got in there and walked in the shoes of Adam’s son,
unlife is on the line. No one can split through the son. Now I’m thinking, why can’t I be the Priest?
front lines like we can. We’ll train you up and you’ll It’s not all hanging people on hooks and making
see new blood. When it comes to shovel heads too, them walk through re. It’s lighting a re in their
you want our blood in the mix. at tiny little hearts, and I got that kinda power in spades, baby.
30
THE BLACK HAND
Caitiff e Sabbat called to me. My
own personal Beckoning. Before
less in name and blood now. It's
ok if you don't believe me, I've
e rst Caiti I met was my our rst Vaulderie, I was asked got nothing to prove to you or
Sister. I don’t know what else my clan, I told them the truth. anyone else.
to call her. We were created Caiti. Clanless.
within weeks of each other, born You might think that too
in blood as each other’s rivals. clever by half, but as I met oth - THE CAITIFF BANE
Forced to compete for every ers, I realized my situation was Sabbat Caiti begin with the
drop of blood and moment of not uniue within the Sword. Suspect (•) Flaw with the Cama-
our sire’s attention. Only one of We don’t speak of our sires or rilla, Ashirra or Anarchs and can
us was going to make the cut. heritage, and know better than only buy positive Status in the
e details don’t matter but to ask. I suppose one might Sabbat during character creation.
I won. I’d bled and fought and think of it as a political state-
bled some more. But I’d won. ment. A few even still call us
e three of us hit Elysium Panders, but it's an unpopular
together. I was presented as my
sire’s childe, and welcomed into
nickname these nights and I'm Gangrel
not even sure where it came
the ‘loving’ arms of the Cama - from. Before my time I suppose. e Beast is my brother. It is
rilla. My sister was not so lucky. To be honest, I'm not even sure not my true face or my father.
She could recite the same lines of what clan used to hold sway over
It is not a guide or a rival for
descent, could manifest the same me. Perhaps it was the teachings control of my soul. It is my twin.
powers of the blood. But with - of the Perfecti or the Vaulderie Awakened by the blood of Caine
out a sire to vouch for her, she itself that cleansed me of the
on the day that I died so that we
was clanless. Caiti. ey gave curse... but the banes of my Sire
could be reborn together. Now
her three nights to run before no longer deter me. I'm clan- we are family. We wrestle and
they let the Scourge loose. It was curse each other, but nothing
an amusing game to them. can stand between us. We need
Our bloodline was ‘pre - each other and there must be
cious' and this was one of many trust or we shall both fall to the
sick traditions that went along madness of wassail. Our cousins
with it. Serving the elders was fear the Beast and how close
another. My Sire and I lived like we are to the monster within
kings and nobody crossed our our own hearts. e terror and
path without permission. But hunger that claws within us, it
then our benefactors started is no simple thing. We must nd
disappearing. One by one elders a balance, a harmony with this
vanished and when the court thing or we will nd ourselves
took notice they started calling mindless and feral at the end of
it the Beckoning. A manufac- the world. Unaware and howling
tured story to cover up whatever as the ancients stride victorious
they were up to. Whatever they over the burning Earth.
were really hiding from in the My Beast is a weapon. Per-
night. haps yours is something else,
So I le, abandoned my sire little sister. But for me the Dark
and our distinguished bloodline. Father’s blessing awakened
31
Te Antitribu
something old and hungry. I
sense it has ridden in the breast
Hecata
of many Cainites before me, It is as good a name as any for
my sire claimed his grandsire us, especially now that it is
was a berserker. A Black Hand no longer fashionable to label
Remover so feared the Assamites oneself by your blood. Honestly,
of the Mountain placed a great I always found the old monikers
bounty on her blood. She was so uninspired that any change
destroyed decades before my was welcome. Skulls, hoodoo,
Embrace, but maybe her Beast maasos, and ghost stories. It
simply slept through the ages. was all so gauche. Now Hecata
A seed of destruction hidden Antitribu, that has some meat
within the blood she passed onto to it, a name I can sink my teeth
my sire. A seed that found fertile in to.
soil within me and blossomed Resurrection is our curse
with such a need for violence and our greatest gi. Crossing
that I’m surprised I survived my from living to dead and back
early nights. Before I understood again was the rst trick we ever
the Path before me and came to learned. Why should it come as a
an accord with the thing. Once surprise that we've returned yet
I Embraced my brother, then all again? In truth we never le. We
things became possible. simply were elsewhere, gather-
I struled with shedding my ing our strength for the Final
mortal self, but my brother the Nights. ere is no method of
Beast helped me. I found myself destruction we cannot over-
as the lupines oen do, moon together. e man I was would come, for death serves us and she
mad and sky clad in the wilder- have cried out in revulsion at has le the key to her kingdom
ness. I tore out the throat of my such an act. I know, for I heard in our capable hands. A key that
old self. I visited those closest to him wail within my soul. at’s the Sabbat must master, for if
him and silenced their pull on all the man is now. A ghost. A we can cross the river between
my heart. It was no easy thing, whispering spirit that haunts the life and death, what can the
but my brother was there to edges of my soul. Antediluvians accomplish? e
steady my shaking hands. e I stand before you as a Priest years have poured over them
Beast held me close even when in service to the Dark Father. I without end, each millennia has
I was slicked with the blood of tend to my Pack and show them marked them with unimaginable
those who I had once held dear- Caine’s glory and I even share power, each lifetime a new secret
est. So it was whenever I feared Lilith’s wisdom when I must, but of creation revealed. Perhaps it
I didn’t have the strength or no one can stand before their falls to us alone to discern their
stomach to accomplish a great Beast but them. In their hearts few weaknesses. e stains and
thing. ere is no greater ally they must stand alone before the unwanted curses that came with
or condant, and even when monster and nd their own way. all that power. For there is no
I stood over my sire’s mangled ey must shed the man and witness we cannot interrogate
body I knew what needed to be embrace their true brother or beyond the beyond. Give us the
done. My brother guided my they shall not survive the dark names and we will give you the
fangs and we reclaimed his blood nights that are to come. answers.
32
THE BLACK HAND
Lasombra Malkavian
Once we thought we were shad- Malkavian Antitribu? Nah, I’ve
ows. Now we are a shadow of never seen one. Most Malks I
what we once were. e Sword knew back in the day used to
of Caine was ours to command call themselves whatever they
and the world was going our way felt like at the moment. Angry,
at last. But our elders faltered, then it’s a Brujah kinda night.
chicken shits to the last. ey Ate a yuppie that made you
abandoned the work and the gassy? Ventrue till you work it
most craven among us even tried out. You get it. No, I’m a blood
to butcher those who remained brother. Like we’re talking old
loyal. Few succeeded, but many school, rst edition kind of stu.
sought refuge in the gilded ey made me in a lab or some-
slaughterhouses of the Camarilla thing with all my creepy twins.
anyway. ey’re around here someplace,
We once claimed that we you can’t miss ‘em. ough come
preferred to rule in hell than to think of it, maybe I’m the last
serve in heaven. Now our proud- of my kind. What a fuck job that
est brethren are slaves to slaves. would be. Maybe I should ask
e friends of the night slipped the Malkies if I can join aer all.
on the shackles without fuss or Oh, we always knew it was
regret. ey so feared the hard gonna happen, it was just a mat-
work ahead, they sought the ter of time before we all got with
peace of the conuered among the program. It was part of the
our most ancient rivals. I wear plan from the rst Vaulderie,
the brand of Antirtibu proudly they’ve been prepping us for it.
in the face of that betrayal. e whole Antitribu clanless
While the number of us who cult thing. Ya know shovel heads
turned coat has been greatly used to be all about pouring
over stated, I rebuke the blood mixed blood in body pits and
of so-called leaders that pre- seeing who crawled up. You
ferred comfort to truth. should try it sometime, creating
I am Antitribu now. I re- a childe. It’s something else. I’ve
nounce my former titles, rank, made a few myself, though this
and status. Ill-gotten by the was back before I was a... You
privilege of my blood, which keep saying Malkavian Anti-
is undeserving of esteem. I am tribu but that’s not it. Watching
a shadow of myself, and there mortals crawl out of the pit, you
is where the true power of my get to see them transform. To
blood lies. become what they were always
meant to be. It's a metamorpho -
sis. It’s Kaaesue. Well not
really, but my Pack called me
Kaa for like 20 years so I try
33
Te Antitribu
to sneak that into a conversation
whenever I can.
Ministry to Caine, horried at what she
is being made to do, the corrup -
My rst Priest was a Seer. e blood will tell. e blood tion she must embrace as virtue,
She was a wild Malk. Really will always tell. e Ministry she falls into the same cadence
stepped outside of the old box, wants you to think that there as her sire. It’s just too easy.
can’t remember her Path but I are none of us in the Sabbat. I never meant to deal in vice
will tell you one thing, she did Only old traitors and the rare, and lies. But my Pack needed
not give a rat’s ass if I fell o my savvy inltrator. None who re- money and information, and the
own. I must have gone through jected our sires and ed the Cult mortals haunting the corner just
two or three before we gured of Set for the Sword of Caine. happened to be the rst I stum -
out what was going to work for ere are more of us here bled across. Talking to them felt
me. Lilith. at was it. She was a than either cares to admit. Aer easy, like we’d been friends for
Bahari and she whipped my ass a few years it’d be impossible years. By the end of the night,
non-stop. Like emotionally and not to notice. Even for those of I had a small gang of dealers
psychologically. e real whips us who reject the costumes and working for me.
were strictly a reward system, snakes the blood outs in the end. Lying comes easy to me. I
the lessons were all about starva- Even when a neonate comes know, I know, we are eually
tion and hunting down my fam- damned before Caine and lying
ily. You know, the usual. is in our nature. But my fellow
She was smart though, not Cainites know they’re lying.
sure why she wanted to Embrace ose of us with Ministry blood,
me but who knows with those it feels dierent. As if we can
types. In the Gehenna War, you adopt, even for just the length of
need all kinds. You get my dri. a statement or two, the mind-
Scouts, leaders, cannon fodder, set that we’re not lying. at we
cooks and butchers. You need have imposed our own truth
to be able to get into the other upon the world.
guy’s head, see what those boot At rst I thought the Sabbat
licking Cammies are thinking. leaders must be idiots, to not
You gotta see everything all at see these ‘Caiti’ and ‘Tore-
once, as it was and will be. You ador’ and ‘Ventrue’ (my god,
need a guiding hand that leads seriously, Ventrue?!) who were
to unlikely successes. Let them clearly Ministry. I thought our
laugh, we all know it’s going to sires must be eually dim, to not
come down to a riddle. A secret clearly know where their errant
so sweet and twisted that you’re childer had escaped to.
going to have to nd a Malka - ese nights, however, I
vian to crack it, if only we had worry. One does not become a
some around here. leader in the Sword of Caine by
lacking a certain cunning. e
same is true, of course, for the
Ministry. And I can’t help but
wonder why they allow this.
And I fear the night I nd out
the truth.
34
THE BLACK HAND
Nosferatu tend to die rst. ose kids I feel
for. e others are still up and at
e nice thing about being this 'em but deliberately forget where
ugly is that you don’t have to they came from. Once or twice,
keep up the pretence about not a brave soul will make it known
being a monster. at’s what we they’re breaking up with us. Oh,
tell ourselves, anyway, hidden they’re still loyal to their fellow
down in our warrens and gos- Nosferatu in Caine, of course.
siping about who’s sharing vitae But they’re going to have to cut
with whom up on the surface. contact with ‘outsiders.’ You try
Some of us believe it more than not to take it personally. Espe -
others. cially if in ve or twenty years
To live in strenuous har- the kid comes back, and if not
mony with what would seek to exactly seeing the error of their
kill you is unsettling in its own. ways, is ready to resume trading
Sure, you get the vampire who info again. ese, we handle on
can’t uite cope with losing a case by case basis. It usually
their looks, the ones who end up takes something stellar to get
living like Lasombra in mirror- back into the clan’s good graces.
less havens. ey stay up in the
Tower, honing their abilities
until they can pretend to have Ravnos
a normal face for a few hours a
night. e ones who stay angry ey thought we'd all gone
about it, they get sent to the mad when the nightmares
came and the red star shined
nearest Barony aer just enough
combat training to be useful. its blood stained light into our
en you get the ones who dreams. We burned and tore
made Rat is shipped o to the each other apart in this world
stared a little too long into the
mirror, and decide they actually nearest Sabbat outpost. And for and the other, but we survived.
like being a monster. Now, I’m a little while, everything works ey thought we were nished,
all for self-acceptance, but some out just ne. e neonate gets a but they forgot we are the clan
of these kids take it a little too better handle on everything, and of nightmares and the Sword of
far, thinking they’re the next we trade information back and Caine has always accepted us as
Leslie Vernon. ese, we send forth. we are, not as others wanted us
to the Sabbat. ey get to learn en things change. Little to be. We are empowered by fear
how to control their Beast in a things at rst. e kid stops say- and our undead blood brings
way that won’t totally fucking ing ‘I’ or ‘me’ so oen, and says the very stu of stolen dreams
overwhelm them, and in return ‘we’ and ‘us’ instead. Dead drops to life. Illusions made real life
we get intel on what they’re up end up empty, messages go un- nightmares. We make servants of
to. e intel doesn’t always last, answered. Every excuse comes the things hiding under the bed
though. I’ve seen it happen so out sounding like a garbled and lurking within the hearts of
oen that it’s become damn near Sunday school lesson. Sometimes men.
they ghost us. at can be literal; Some of us found a place
predictable. Aer more than a
few messy murders, the new- a lot of Sabbat die at war and we in the twice cursed Ashirra
but they are bears, rootless
35
Te Antitribu
wanderers that must appease the Beckoning, but it was something most no longer remember. My
powerful to sleep unharmed in else within her. Now that her sire and I were on the run for so
another's land. Just as we fed and heart and mine rest as one, I long before we found the Sword,
used the nomads and refugees of see it now. e years had worn running from one domain to an -
old to sustain us on our jour- her down and this war was not other. Rats. Disgraced. Unclean.
neys, they have become refugees. hers, but mine. She would not Infernal. To have all that hate
at is not our road, for like Li - deny me my due and my Pack and history disappear like a fog
lith, we are masters of our own their Priest. As she had feasted as the ancients lose their grip
fate. We claim the land of Nod upon her sire and he on his and and the young no longer care.
as the wellspring of our blood - so on, they all dwell within me To be absolved of my blood’s
line, not some ancient father or now. is is the old way and few false sins because my accusers no
sun fearing grave ghoul. honor it these nights. longer have the time to uphold
You've come to me to learn e last act of the Jyhad lies the lie. For us it is a moment
the powers of my former clan before us. is so-called Ge - long hoped for, but empty of any
and I say you must accept pain henna War was as unavoidable meaning or victory. It is ashes
and suering without regret. as our own fate. So long have we in my mouth to think the hate I
e Dark Mother is not kind, been the pawns of the ancients, had to endure had no purpose.
but that is no slight. She loves that it’s strange to feel the power at we were hunted to near
survivors above all others, even and conseuences of my own de- extinction and now we are to
those who endure her own dis- cisions. We live in the shadow of forget? No. e Sword makes no
pleasure. I can deny my blood, a sin we didn’t commit and that such claims on me. I am bidden
but it ows through me still to put down my allegiance to my
and I accept the pain of that. It blood and elders, but the slights
strengthens me to be stained by against me I remember. I shall
this curse, and I shall endure. I repay the Camarilla for their
shall not fall victim to fear, it is hatred measure for measure.
a weapon I've mastered. We were hunted and culled like
sheep to the slaughter.
Now I hold the sword. My
Salubri soul burns for vengeance. Not
Of all of the Antitribu clans for myself or even the founder
that seek to break free of what of my blood, but vengeance for
makes them vulnerable to the the multitude that dwell within
threats of the Antediluvians, me. Vengeance for my Pack-
we have the most to prove, and mates lost in untold battles. Fire
the farthest to go. In these Final burns in my eyes and there is no
Nights our anity for self sacri - forgiveness le within me.
ce hasn’t gone unnoticed. Our
bloodline demands much of us,
even as we seek to cast it aside. Toreador
When my Sire heard the call, she I have no memory of my Sire.
bid me to take of her esh and ey were destroyed the night
blood as a sacrament, to eat her I was Embraced. My Pack were
heart’s blood and become my surprised when I survived, but I
Pack’s Priest. Some called it the think they felt protective of me
36
THE BLACK HAND
aer that. Not a mascot, for I still. I don't intend to have my
had to prove myself like all Sab- blood on the menu. ough
bat, but a memento. I never had I don't doubt the power of
any clan wisdom or tips passed Goratrix and their followers. No
down to me, but I felt the hold other warlock has worked such
my blood had over me. A di - magic, creating the Tremere
cult thing when travelling rough clan from a vial of stolen blood.
on the road for weeks on end. But they seem intent on playing
I’ve heard most Toreador the Jyhad, while we wish to ip
are Embraced because of their the table. Topple the game to
artistic vision, I’ve never met any the ground and eat the players,
of those, though I’m told my Sire we've wasted enough time on the
was pretty good at drawing. I’ve pawns.
always been a bit of a dabbler I know our numbers are
myself. Not an artist, but I write few in the Sword of Caine and
and draw and post some of my we've never been a bloodline
stu on the internet. I love to that inspired trust or devotion,
dig around on the web and mix but as Antitribu we are reborn.
it up with the people. A blog Already we rise in the ranks as
post here or a subreddit there, our power is recognized in battle
just keeping tabs on what’s going aer battle. e old prejudices
on in the real world. Setting up have begun to fade as the power
meet ups and connects for my and control of the Lasombra
Pack when we roll into town on and Tzimisce are diluted by the
short notice. You’d be surprised Tremere new orthodoxy of clanlessness.
what you can nd if you’re curi- Whether the Priests intended it
Power is our birthright. Better or not, our power and prestige
ous and careful. Let me say that than blood, magic runs through
again, you have to be careful. grows with anonymity.
us and that is the only legacy
e web is a sea of sharks, even of which I care about. What
if you’re some kinda hacker or has labelling myself as Tremere HOUSE GOR ATRIX
crypto-bro. Maybe especially if brought me but derision and in - After the Vienna Chantry was
you’re a hacker. e web belongs famy. If we are to be Antritribu destroyed, the Tremere's Pyra-
to the Inuisition now but I do now, then I say good riddance to mid splintered into numerous
what I can to keep my Pack up a cursed name. factions. These so-called Houses
to date on the latest. I have nothing to prove. lined up behind violent fascists
I don’t know if it’s in my When Goratrix and their scions like Karl Schrekt and vapid back-
blood or what, but I just get gathered the survivors to form water pretenders such as Carna.
mortals. I can read them like a their house, they came to me but The most secretive of these is
book, no powers necessary. How I declined the oer. I knew my House Goratrix, named for the
they talk and play, how they place was with the Sabbat, not Clan's greatest blood mage and
communicate. It’s not musical, in some poor copy of the Pyra - most infamous traitor.
but there’s something to it that’s mid. e Final Nights are here Although some of its mem-
hard to explain. I’d have to draw and though our clan's Antedilu- bers are former Sabbat and
you a picture. vian is false, the others hunger progeny of Goratrix herself,
37
Te Antitribu
House Goratrix is an independent even as esh ripples with chaos the least of us. Would it not be
faction of Tremere whose alliance at the touch of our breath. ey tting for our king to crawl
with a number of the Seraphim call us the old clan and we re- from earthen grave to basalt
is an open secret in the Black main unmoved as our foes break throne?
Hand. Unlike the other Houses of against our shore. We remain and we keep the
Tremere, they have no interest in We are the soul of the Sab - faith. Tzimisce. Antitribu. Clan -
rebuilding the Pyramid but go out bat and never again will we let less. Cainites. We strip ourselves
of their way to pit the other fac- another bloodline claim them- of everything unnecessary. e
tions against each other to spoil selves king or magister. We need fat of our souls trimmed clean in
any chance of reconciliation. no masters and the throne of service and absolution to Caine,
House Goratrix has dealings Caine shall remain empty until neither father nor mother. We
with both the Camarilla and the the rst of us claims it. e Final await Caine the king, a god to
Sabbat, but the other Tremere Nights are here and Caine shall rule over a new world. If only we
Houses seem willing to ignore reveal themselves soon. Perhaps have the faith to fashion it from
their past treachery for some un- they already stride the blood our esh and our souls.
known reason. The Seraphim and soaked elds of the Gehenna
Prisci of the Sabbat on the other War, wearing the face of an un-
hand are confdent that Goratrix assuming recruit or shovel head. Ventrue
herself is still one of them and Who among us could deny it if e Sabbat claims lineage
playing the Camarilla for fools. Caine chose a vessel from among doesn’t matter, but that’s a lie. It
matters, just in dierent ways.
Better ways, I think.
Tzimisce See, up in the Tower, every
Ventrue neonate bears respon-
It is no exaeration to say that sibility for the sins of their
we are the Sword of Caine. Not entire lineage. A thousand years
just because we are so numer- ago, some asshole blood rela -
ous , but because we have given tive failed to protect a group of
so much of ourselves in craing pilgrims from a Pack of fe-
the heart of the Sect's ritae and ral lupines, and that’s why a
rituals. From sacred Vaulderie Ventrue born and Embraced in
on down these are our gis to Potomac Maryland must now
the Black Hand. We broke the put in overtime impressing her
chains and set the night are. Prince. Every Ventrue knows
When so many others aban- childer from that lineage can’t
doned the cause and ed the be trusted aer all.
eld, we remained true. While Come to the Sabbat, it’s all
it is our power over esh that inverted. Not one other Ventrue
has so fascinated and repelled ever mentioned my lineage, but
the other Cainites, our greatest we all know who's who. I caught
strength has always been our re - myself deferring to a shovel head
solve. Our blood is drawn from related to Dymoke, even though
the most ancient mountains and she was fresh out of the body pit.
deepest forests. In our souls we Eventually I realized it wasn’t
are constant and unchanging, enough to reject the Tower, I
38
THE BLACK HAND
had to over turn the table. I had Yeah, those guys. Only instead
to ip my heritage upside down of getting tazed by cops, you’re
if I was ever going to be free. now signed up to ght just about
Once I realized this, I everybody and their brother.
became a far more honorable Get good fast, I guess.
Cainite than I had ever been But there’s some good news,
before leaving the Tower. By You can be a real boy! Or vam-
rejecting the blood of a failed pire, as the case may be. Only
templar, I became a knight of not so much, because no one
the Sabbat. can ever catch a break. It turns
By inverting what my out the only way to get better
bloodline had been known for from being a in Blood is to
in the Camarilla, I cultivated a commit a sort of murder so bad
reputation for loyalty, honesty they don’t even have a real word
and duty. I'm Antitribu now for it. at's the way out a lot of
and that's ne by me. My blood Sabbat expect you to take, but
doesn't dene me, I'm a king you gotta know what you can
because that's the way I treat my handle before you go that way.
Pack, my family. We're unied. Even if you can sort of gure out
Many of us Sabbat, especially how to survive without resort-
those who have been around ing to that, there’s still a lot to
awhile, despise the company of deal with. We’re talking treat-
mortals. Some of us can barely ing people like kegs at a frat. I
keep it together long enough to am not kidding, I have seen real
hunt. Many Cainites can't stand live screaming people with taps
keeping up a herd or controlling lypse and everyone hates you. stabbed in them.
a politician, it's shit work but I Oh, and the conspiracy club at shit wears on you real
love it. But maybe that's still the is divided into a lot of smaller fast. You can give up, even
Ventrue in me talking. clubs and you’re not in any of though that’s the soul destroying
them. Back to the good news, shit we’re trying to avoid, or you
is that as long as you’re the can accept a moral education.
Thin-blood embodiment of an apocalypse Get on a Path and y right with
Life sucks and then you die. prophecy, you might as well go Caine or Lilith or worship the
And then it really starts to suck. check out the apocalypse cult Sun like in a video game.
Yeah, bad pun, I know. Anyway, down the street. ey just can’t What I’m trying to say is the
congrats, you’re now part of this want to celebrate their blood good news is that the people
1000 year old conspiracy, the Big sacraments with you. here won’t kill you. At least, not
Answer to the Big Question of More bad news. e apoca - just for being you. e bad news
who ‘they’ are who seem to be lypse cult turns out to made up is, you’re probably going to get
running everything. Surprise, it’s of vampire sovereign citizens. yourself killed anyway. Because
vampires all the way down. Sort You know, those dumbasses who life sucks, and then you die, and
of good news, now you’re on the think they’ve gured out the then you die again.
other side of the curtain. cheat codes so that laws don’t God, please don’t let there be
Bad news, turns out you’re apply to them and they don’t anything else aer the ‘again.’
the embodiment of the apoca- have to pay taxes or whatnot?
39
Introduction
40
THE BLACK HAND
Chapter Two:
VAULDERIE
It feels so... good, Brigitte. It's like touching yoursel.
You know every move... right on the fucking do.
And aer, you see fucking ireworks. Supernovas.
I'm a goddamn force of nature. I feel like I could do just about anything.
— KAREN WALTON, GINGER SNAPS
As this world is a prison for the corrupt and impure, so are
our bodies a prison of the mind and soul. In our perfected sates we
may hone the mind to undreamed of excellence, but this is a alse
immorality. For our souls rot in unliving lesh, shaped by the ide-
als of a corrupt world.
Caine protect us from the unseen forces.
We tend this garden but must be ever vigilant of snakes that
dwell in the all grasses. As Caine is more than any of us, broth-
ers and sisters, so are the Antediluvians more than men or even
other Cainites. We seek Caine behind the veil of this world for
the secrets of the Antediluvians will not be revealed to us without
Caine's guidance. ey are unbroken, unburn, and untouched by
the banes of our kind. Even Diablerie seems unable to cast their
souls into the abyss.
41
Vaulderie
If we are to survive then we must become the masters of Gehenna
and pry the secrets from the sleepers most trusted servants.
e bonds forged over us so long ago were broken by Caine's
will, and they shall never be reforged so long as we seek the death
of our alse athers and seek the path of our true creator. e hid-
den masters remain for the greatest masquerade was convincing us
they were vulnerable to ang, ire and the endless sleep of the long
nigh. Now is the last measure of our freedom. Now we can sink
into despair or sacriice all and rise for the glory of Caine's throne.
Give me death!
Cast my heart into the ires of freedom! My hear, my blood, my
soul! Unchained! Shall we live forever as slaves? No! I want to
burn!
Give me death and break the bonds forever!
— THE OAXACA DIARIES
42
THE BLACK HAND
Sabbat Packs Arena
e Sabbat no longer concerns themselves with
e Sabbat are organized into Packs. ese are Co - taking territory. Any ground they hold is only kept
teries of vampires dedicated to a particular Path, as long as it’s advantageous and abandoned the
ideology, mission, or unlife style. Packs are strictly moment the cost becomes too great. e Sword
composed of only Sabbat vampires and they are led knows that their power lies in the stolen blood and
by a Priest, a vampire that commands the respect unearthed secrets of the Antediluvians. It was a
of their brethren either through force, cunning, hard-learned lesson. A Sabbat Pack cultivates an
or spiritual purity. To run with a Pack, a vampire Arena of inuence, a sometimes nebulous combi-
must accept not only the creed of the Sword of nation of their nomadic range, spiritual reputation,
Caine, but the Vaulderie and all of the other Ritae and mortal inuence. Unlike Domain, Arena is
revered by the Sect. e Pack is the most basic unit not a measure of how deeply they are embedded
within the Sabbat, and given the Sect’s occulted in a territory but how much authority they hold
leadership and cell-like structure, their Packmates over something important to the Sect. e fo -
may be the only Sabbat vampires they encounter cus of a Pack’s Arena is oen determined at the
on a nightly basis. Only Packs that have pledged Pack’s founding and is abstracted by Pack Type.
themselves to a Seraphim’s Host nd themselves in For example a Ritualist Pack might be considered
regular contact with their scattered brethren. an authority on Noddist prophecy. is would be
Many Sabbat Packs are composed of a tight- their Arena and others would defer to them on
knit group of veterans at their heart. Survivors led such matters unless they proved false or incompe-
by a trusted Priest who have seen countless battles tent. Unlike Status which marks an individual, a
and tasted ancient blood. When necessary their Pack’s Arena is a measure of collective respect and
numbers swell through wanton mass Embrace and inuence.
the capricious use of the blood bond. A Pack of 5
Sabbat can uadruple in size in a matter of nights System: As with Domain, this is an abstraction
with shovel heads and ghouls added to their van - and each Arena trait is bought with Pack Dots.
guard. Most of these recruits meet messy and uick e three Arena traits are Rove, Clout, and Grasp.
deaths, but the nucleus of the Pack carries on. Most Pack Types reuire a certain level of an Are-
us the Sabbat survives despite tremendous na trait to unlock the Pack’s feature.
losses. Veterans of the Gehenna War accumulate
monstrous power within their dead veins. Oen
the real danger faced by a Pack are in moments of Rove
internal crisis, when a Priest is destroyed or found In the Final Nights Sabbat Packs are nomadic by
lacking by their brethren. e Monomacy usually nature, and even those that settle into sedentary
decides such tests of leadership cleanly, but some - covens do their best to keep a few escape routes
times Packs fall to scheming and faithlessness. primed. A Pack’s Rove determines how far they
can safely and uickly travel within a few nights.
System: All Sabbat vampires start with one Pack Alternate Havens, good feeding spots, hidden
Dot that they can collectively use to buy Pack supply caches, negotiated safe passage, and secure
Advantages and Arena traits. Characters can also vehicles are all aspects of a Pack’s Rove trait. A
spend Advantage points on these Pack traits. Sabbat Pack never puts down deep roots, because
their enemies are many and powerful. A Pack’s
Rove is also an area they regularly monitor with
spies, mystical surveillance, and allies when not on
the move.
43
Vaulderie
System: Each dot of Rove increases the Diculty the nature of their need.
by 1 of any attempt to detect the Pack or prevent Clout also increases the Willpower damage
them from reaching their destination when trav- inicted on Sabbat rivals during a social combat
eling. eir Rove level also represents how much on a 1 for 1 basis (see V5 Corebook pg. 305), though
distance the Pack can cover without needing to it does not stack with damage bonuses gained from
make additional rolls. Rove is rarely added to rolls, the audience.
but could aid in a Pack’s attempts to locate other
Sabbat or inltrate enemy domains. When a Pack
hunts in their Rove area they always succeed at Grasp
a cost (see V5 Corebook pg. 307), but the default e Packs ability to bully mortals into doing their
hunting Diculty is 6 otherwise. Once outside the bidding or ignoring their crimes. Since dealing
established area of their Rove, a Pack's Clout and with mortals is seen as dishonorable, Sabbat Packs
Grasp traits still function normally but only when only sully themselves with mortal ties when their
concerning the core purpose of their Arena. core mission and values are threatened in a way
they cannot solve with overwhelming force. Grasp
also determines how uickly the Pack can move its
base of operations.
●
A small wild area or few blocks,
Downtown or Hidden Valley System: Each dot of Grasp gives Pack members a +1
●●
A landmark or large wilderness, die bonus on any attempt to subvert, undermine,
Champs Elysee or Black Forest or intimidate a mortal group threatening their
●●●
Arena. For example, Ritualists might use their
A city or important highway, Grasp to keep police from patrolling around the
Budapest or I-95 warehouse where they perform their ritae, but it
●●●●
A very large major metropolitan would have no use when hunting.
area, Los Angeles or Seoul Grasp also sets how long it takes to relocate and
●●●●●
A large territory or region, Ne- re-center a Pack's Rove. is oen entails setting
vada or Southern France up supply drops, false Havens, and bolt holes.
Clout ree months per dot of Rove
e Packs' reputation concerning their area of ex - ●
One month per dot of Rove
pertise and their ability to call upon large numbers ●●
of Sabbat and Sect allies for aid. Priests that lead ree weeks per dot of Rove
Packs with a great deal of Clout have an easier ●●●
Two weeks per dot of Rove
time claiming titles such as Bishop or Archbishop ●●●●
One week per dot of Rove
because of the sway they hold over other Packs. ●●●●●
ree days per dot of Rove
System: One dot of Clout gives the Pack a default
Diculty of 7 when calling upon other Sabbat
Packs to aid them against the Sect’s enemies or
in pursuit of their Arena. Each additional dot of
Clout reduces this Diculty by 1. e type of roll
reuired depends on how the Pack calls for aid and
44
THE BLACK HAND
Running in Packs The Pack Map
As with Coteries in any other vampire Chronicle,
A Sabbat vampire is oen dened by their Pack a Sabbat Pack should make use of the Relationship
as much as by their Path of Enlightenment. When Map concept to draw and dene their group objec-
creating characters, Players should discuss what tives, dynamics, assets, and aws (see V5 Core-
kind of Pack they are hoping to create and if any of book 142). is Pack Map should list all the active
them have a desire to play the Pack Priest or have Packmates, their positions within the Pack and any
some other designated role within the Pack (see backgrounds and aws they share. is is a living
Picking a Priest pg. 53). While Priest is the only document that the Pack can reference as they gain
formal role all Packs recognize internally, some allies and enemies (see Pack Map pg. 132).
have informal titles or positions that they expect
Packmates to fulll by Pack tradition. For in -
stance, many Packs consider regularly dealing with
mortals to be lowly or dishonorable work, so the
task of taking care of the Packs' Herd or Retainers
is oen given to newer recruits or formalized as
a punishment role with names like Rector, Dog Non-Stop Disaster Clique
Catcher, Flesh Wrangler, or Blood Mopper. JYHAD CELL PAC K
When several Packs work closely together or
share a common territory or Rove for a prolonged Fatima “Buzzsaw” Arslan --Twisted
< --
flesh shaping shovel head->
<- Literally my best friend-- -
Darva “Doll”
-A -H
--
- - Feeds Pickles
lot
-
period of time, one of the Priests claims the title of Allies with a N
ot e
Bahari Cult with p ar a m < the possum
o a
d e i -- and master
Occult ties w sc
m t
Bishop or Archbishop. is declaration is then ce - er
fu
t
ho
o
la a t h
e
L
i
m spy
es
r,
ki t i
Prof. Samal, a l ar t
ll
bu
mented with a Blood Bath (see Ritae pg. 60) unless Touchstone that w
ar t
ll
, t
a
-> he
st a
s
le
ss
ri h le
is e u
ez
reminds Fatima a d
disagreements arise between the Priests over who
ad
o m n o
i
of her mortal life r, t er
ro A r al
’s -- p . e ,
ve y s
W gu
>
u ha b
shall ascend to leadership. ese disagreements o
u
ld
se
fu
th ey t his o
s
s
’
t
t
u
-> l t ith e h
are oen settled bloodlessly, but a Monomacy puts m
ak e,
b u
es
t
w H
.
ey
e sir t h re
ei r n t
the matter to rest if two contenders are too evenly a
th co < -W i
w
q
u
t ing ir
e
er for ar
s e
ag
s
matched in prestige or bravado. ri
b
st
i
le
tu e
a
s t
re
e
to
e
m
d
rie
b in o c
su
di
r P w sa t t
io
oo ri ’ t gre n
p es a n e u n Th
A - C -- F -
-- t
-- <- -
< - e
Pr
<-Caine sees your lack of faith -- Laurent “Sis” Cassis ie
Eric “Eyes” Oldson -- Clanless brute with a god complex-> st
PACK DOTS
A Sabbat player can buy Backgrounds for their Pack Mawla is a Salubri Priscus Keeps a ghoul
that helps the pack out Pack Goals named Filth, who
as communal Resources that any Packmate can when they need to travel ■ Let’s eat the Prince and blame it on the Anarchs! guards the haven
■ Steal Book of Nod fragments from the Tremere!
access, but Merits cannot usually be bought this way. ■ Uncover who's running the local Gehenna cult!
The Pack Priest can veto any Background purchase
that goes against the Pack's focus. These dots are
refunded back to the player, though a Priest should
be careful not to alienate their Pack by denying them
something they depend on. Flaws are taken by the
Pack through consensus guided by their Priest with
the Storyteller's approval. Just as with Backgrounds,
Pack aws are communal. Pack aws grant dots that
must be spent on the Pack.
45
Running in Packs
Pack Types ■ Arena: Rove (●●●) and Clout (●●)
As long as a Pack communally or individual - ■ Allies: (●) or Resources: (●)
ly meets the Arena trait, Advantage, and Flaw ■ Mawla: (●●)
reuirements of their Pack type, every Sabbat ■ Status: (●)
within the Pack gains the benet of the Pack Ritae. ■ Enemies: (●●)
At the Storyteller's discretion a Pack can come
up with its own signature Pack Ritae that diers Common Arenas/Roles: Blood Scented Letters,
signicantly from the norm. It's best to use the Grati Artists, Heralds, Viral Twitter Bats
mechanical power level of the other Pack Ritae as
a guideline to what is possible. Modifying a Pack's Pack Ritae: Carriers train with ancient Black
Ritae should only reuire the Storyteller's permis - Hand Ritae that guard their minds and dreams
sion and the Pack Priest's invocation of the Binding against supernatural invasion. As long as a Cainite
(see Ritae pg. 58). A Sabbat can only benet from in a Carrier Pack maintains their Vinculum with
one Pack ritae at a time. A Pack that wishes to their Packmates they gain +3 dice on any roll to
change its type completely must seek out a Bishop resist being compelled to betray a message or Sect
or other prestigious Sabbat to perform the Binding secret, regardless of the means used against them
to rededicate the Pack to a new cause. (Chimerstry, dominate, torture, etc.). If the Carrier
is not allowed a resistance roll, then the Diculty
of such attempts are increased by 2 instead.
Carriers
Messengers have always been a necessity among the
Sword of Caine because of their distrust of mortal Crypt Ticks
technology. Now the dispersed structure of the Also known as Amaranthians or Cenotaphiles,
Sect and the rise of the Second Inuisition have these Sabbat have one desire... to personally devour
given the mail carriers a new prominence. While the blood and souls of the Antediluvians. e rev -
these Packs are rarely pledged to a single leader, elation that many of the Sabbat's founding myths
they always maintain contact with luminaries
were false, that elders that claimed to have tasted
within the Sabbat who have need of their expertise. the blood of their Antediluvians were fools or
Carriers not only deliver personal messages be- liars shocked the Sword of Caine to its core. Many
tween the isolated members of the Sabbat leader-
turned on the Sect's Lasombra leadership and
ship, they also disseminate important information rallied to the banner of the Gehenna War, accept-
through coded grati, geo-cached dead drops, and ing the renewal and direct action promised by the
viral social media posts.
Martyr of Caine and other such spiritual leaders
A few Carriers act as mustering forces for the While only a few of the original Cainites that
Seraphim or other powerful leaders in the Gehen - answered that call still survive, their Packs still
na War. ese heralds pass the rallying cry and seek out the blood of the ancients in the name of
collect Packs eager for battle as they travel back to power and deliverance. Crypt Ticks are the true
the front lines. While these Carriers are technically believers of the Gehenna War. ey hunt elders
still not subservient to these leaders, their impar- wherever they may hide. More than a few claim
tiality could easily be uestioned by those vying for that the Beckoning is nothing but a ruse. ese
the throne of Caine. Gangrel and Ravnos Anti- master diablerists oen nd their best meals not in
tribu are common in their ranks and oen nd wilderness caves or far-o battleelds, but in smart
themselves taking on the mantle of Pack Priest. penthouses and fortied compounds in the heart
of enemy territory.
Crypt Tick Priests are usually bloated with the
46
THE BLACK HAND
blood of dozens of diableries and reserve the right Hacktivists
to feast on the soul of their most select prey. Dis - An era of technological warfare unlike any other
putes over leadership in these cannibal Packs are is at hand, and the Sabbat was oen behind the
oen violent and end in nal death, as the stakes curve, disdaining mortal artice as beneath them.
are too great to risk festering resentments within Now that the Sect has become decentralized, this
their ranks. When other Sabbat call upon them for Luddite orthodoxy no longer holds any power over
aid it is usually for their knowledge of Ashirra lin - the younger recruits of the Sword. In the face of
eages or their ability to extract information from Gehenna, no weapon can be shunned. Just like
Camarilla pawns. Few want to linger long among the mortals themselves their tools can be made to
them, for their unuenchable hunger for Cainite suit their purposes. Digital viruses, armed drones,
blood is well known and even the power of the biological pathogens, cyber harassment, and killer
Vaulderie has its limits. robots may be the spear the Sabbat needs to nally
sweep the board of the Antediluvians' pawns.
■ Arena: Rove (●), Clout (●●●) and Grasp (●) Hacktivists specialize in turning mortal tech -
■ Resources: (●●) or Mawla (●●) nology to their advantage. Stealing data from a
■ Status: (●●) server or smartphone is oen only the beginning of
■ Enemies: (●●) or Methuselah's irst (●●) their mischief as they use the information to create
harm in the real world. ese Packs oen become
Common Arenas/Roles: Ancestry Experts, Black- experts in burglary and sabotage to put their
mailers, Blood Trackers, Interrogators stolen secrets and compromised systems to more
targeted use. Overloading transformers to blackout
Pack Ritae: ese Sabbat are master soul stealers neighborhoods, stealing identities, and unwittingly
and have developed numerous Ignoblis Ritae that turning mortal authorities against their vampiric
allow them to si through the memories of mortals masters with unnecessary SWAT raids. While they
and even other supernatural creatures by draining usually are uninterested in mortal aairs beyond
them of blood. Once per Session, when a Packmate their latest tech, a few Hacktivists have even
ritually drains a non-vampire victim they can ask dabbled in social media engineering and online
the Storyteller to reveal a specic memory or to psychological warfare.
recount their victim's most recent memories. Ex - Hacktivist Priests are oen the least technolog-
periencing a Cainite's memories through diablerie ically literate members of their Pack. eir role is
reuires a Numinous Ritae (see e Sepulchre Key oen that of translator with other Sabbat Packs
pg. 67). that may discount the Hacktivists work in the
Gehenna War as cowardly or lacking in spiritual
grounding. While not all Sabbat are technologically
illiterate, their focus on tangible results can make
it hard for the tech savvy to prove their worth.
Dealing with humans online is tedious work. Nos -
feratu, Toreador, and Ventrue Antitribu are oen
drawn to Hacktivist Packs because it allows them
to make use of their talents without having the
taint of constantly associating with mortals "irl".
■ Arena: Rove (●) and Grasp (●●●)
■ Resources: (●) or Mask (●)
■ Haven: (●●)
47
Running in Packs
Common Arenas/Roles: Blackout Crew, Crypto neighborhood. Unsurprisingly this can cause other
Scammers, Digital Tracers, Identity ieves Sabbat to look down on Janitors and suspect them
of abandoning their inhuman Paths.
Pack Ritae: Hacktivists celebrate their conuests Most of these Packs refer to themselves as Cus -
and hacks with secretive but joyous Ignoblis Ritae. todians or Custodes, but the Janitor nickname is
ey mark their 'territory' by hacking or inltrat- hard to shake. Especially since a great deal of their
ing key systems of mortal infrastructure. eir contact with other Sabbat occurs when a nomadic
favorite targets are police communications systems, Pack has to hide out at their family's estate. Having
government data centers, or critical utilities. is a Pack Priest that can deal with both the derision
cornerstone hack oen becomes the foundation of their fellow Sabbat and the petty concerns of
of their eorts to steal information and identify their mortal charges is paramount to the Janitor's
targets within their Rove. As long as this system success. Nosferatu, Toreador, and Tzimisce Antitri -
remains compromised they will be automatically bu oen excel at these dual roles.
forewarned if they come under digital scrutiny Ironically, while working with these relics of
from local authorities, the Second Inuisition, or the Sabbat's past may seem a waste of time to the
aligned hunters for the rest of the Story. modern Sabbat, they oen prove a treasure trove
of Sect lore and history. Revenants have worked in
the shadows of the Sabbat since its founding and
Janitors there are few that know the secrets of the Sword
Looking aer mortals and their aairs is seen as as well as their hidden archives. Janitors with a
a chore or punishment within the Sabbat and few scholarly bent may nd their work greatly aided by
Packs are willing dedicate themselves to any arena these twisted scions o Tzimisce hubris.
that is focused on mortal concerns. Before the
Gehenna War a few Packs had to deal with the so- ■ Arena: Rove (●) and Grasp (●●)
called Silence of the Blood, the Sword's oen brutal ■ Retainer: (●)
version of the Masuerade. Ghoul families cultivat- ■ Haven: (●●●)
ed by Tzimsice elders covered up the Sabbat's worst ■ Suspect: (●)
abuses and looked aer their nancial interests
with a Bishop or other powerful leader overseeing Common Arenas/Roles: Ghoul Genealogists, Lore
their activities. ese families of Revenants have Hounds, Money Launderers, Silencers
been for the most part abandoned by the Sword
of Caine, though a few were massacred to prevent Pack Ritae: Janitors have uniue rituals that
their secrets from falling into the wrong hands. include ghouls within their ceremonial work. is
Janitors are composed of Sabbat that have taken combined with their role as custodians have given
on the responsibility of looking aer one of the few them honorary status as full members of the ghoul
remaining ghoul family estates and directing their family they oversee. is allows them to take Reve -
continued work in support of the Gehenna War. nants (see pg. 99) as Retainers and to rest at family
While this oen means protecting the family and estates when travelling. Also, if the Pack has taken
their mortal assets from supernatural dangers, Jan - any levels from a ghoul family Loresheet they may
itors oen have to take a direct hand in supporting call upon them for favors once per Story as if they
the family's work as well. Few are as well supplied were a Mawla with a level eual to the highest level
or powerful as they were at the height of the Sect's in the Loresheet possessed by the Pack.
power. ese Packs may have to regularly deal
with mortals in the media, rescue lost members of
the family or operate a front business in a tough
48
THE BLACK HAND
Jyhad Cell Menagerie
is Pack is dedicated to uncovering the pawns ese Sabbat Packs reject the mortal world but
of the Antediluvians and turning them against nd a deep kinship with living predators and scav -
each other. ey oen inltrate enemy domains engers. ey depend on their animal servants as
using false identities and bribes to subvert mortal guardians, spies, and soldiers in the Gehenna War
Retainers. Once they understand a domain's weak and treat them almost like fellow Packmates. eir
points, they’ll make use of mass Embraces, arson, skills as scouts and trainers make them valuable
and ritual massacres to damage the Masuer- assets, even if their attachment to living Retainers
ade and pin the blame on others before slinking is seen as a moral failing and a weakness among the
o into the night. Reapers and Albigensians are Sabbat. Some Menageries specialize in particular
particularly drawn to this type of Pack as the mix kinds of animals, oen favoring dogs, wolves, or
of wanton slaughter and calculated cruelty meshes pigs, and provide their services to the war eort
well with their convictions. Jyhad Cells are usually as shock troops or a convenient method of body
led by pragmatic Priests that are unafraid to cut disposal.
their losses when their mission is at risk. Gangrel, A Menagerie's Priest is responsible for the wel-
Lasombra, and Malkavian Antitribu are common fare of not only the Pack, but their animal servants
in their ranks. as well. is oen means making sure the Pack's
Haven is adeuately prepared to handle and man-
age the animals, and that the creatures themselves
■ Arena: Rove (●●) and Grasp (●●) are trained properly. Should a Priest risk the stable
■ Mask: (●●●) or Allies: (●●●) too cheaply or become attached to a favored pet
■ Mawla: (●) or Any Seraphim Loresheet: (●+) they could face a Monomacy challenge.
■ Enemies: (●●)
Common Arenas/Roles: Elysium Inltrators, ■ Arena: Rove (●●) and Grasp (●●●)
Character Assassins, Double Agents, Handlers ■ Haven: (●●)
■ Retainers: (●●)
Pack Ritae: e Jyhad Cell is adept at framing ■ Enemy: (●●)
others for their breaches of the Masuerade, oen
diverting hunter or Camarilla attention on to their Common Arenas: Pig Farmers, Obedience School,
enemies. ey oen perform Ignoblis Ritae to Kennel Masters, Urban Scouts
mentally prepare themselves to gaslight and deceive
their enemies with a coordinated stream of lies and Pack Ritae: Feeding their animals from a pool of
bad faith arguments. A Jyhad Cell can use Social their commingled blood is a common Menagerie
Combat (see V5 Corebook pg. 304) against another Ignoblis Ritae. Animals turned into ghouls by
group of vampires or supernaturals within their this Pack's mixed blood gain a Discipline dot and
Rove to frame them for the cell's own crimes. e power from either Celerity, Fortitude, or Potence
types of skill rolls depend on the methods deployed if a member of the Pack possesses one of these
by the Pack to frame their victims. It can take powers. is is in addition to the normal benets
several nights for the Pack’s machinations to bear of becoming a ghoul (see V5 Corebook pg. 234).
fruit if their victims are not near the crime scene
when framed.
49
Running in Packs
Paladins Pack Ritae: Paladins oen have Ignoblis Ritae
e Sword of Caine no longer apes the hierarchies wherein they pledge their service to a worthy Cain-
of the Camarilla, and the titles that dened the ite as long as their patron upholds the ideals of the
Sect's early years have for the most part faded from Sabbat. ese rites not only include loyalty oaths
common use. e Seraphim have their Hosts of but also a commitment to strike their master down
like-minded Packs and the Cainites that follow if she should ever betray the Sword of Caine. ese
their cults of personality, but a few of the old almost worshipful Ignoblis Ritae mean that Pala -
guard have found a way to retain their powers and dins oen have a heightened Vinculum with their
privilege in the face of a shattered Sect. Self-pro - patron and their other Cainite followers. When -
claimed Archbishops and Bishops gather their ever a Paladin calls upon the Vinculum, the Bond
own followers when enough Sabbat congregate in Strength is always treated as being a minimum of
an area, and even a few of the Prisci come out of 3 if both Sabbat serve the same patron. is strong
hiding to advise the many potential claimants to bond not only makes the Pack the perfect repre -
Caine's throne among the Seraphim. Packs that sentatives for their patron, it also means they are
dedicate themselves to the personal service of these oen euipped with the best gear taken from their
personages of power call themselves Paladins - patron's followers and Host. ough this Ritae
though many Sabbat prefer to label them Templars doesn't negate the Tremere Bane or their dimin-
or Lackeys. shed ability to call on the Vinculum (see pg. 60).
Paladins usually draw their members from Sab -
bat veterans who were Embraced before the start
of the Gehenna War, but their oaths of service are
Press Gang
Now that the cold war is over and the hot war
strictly voluntary. ese Packs seek out powerful
has begun, the Sabbat can at last clear away the
Sabbat leaders and pledge their loyalty to them
brambles on the path to victory. Chasing secrets,
for the good of the Sect, not for personal glory or
bullying Cammies, and raiding tombs all have their
favor. While many of these Cainites dream of de -
place, but the Press Gang knows the key to win-
fending their ward against shadowy assassins, they
ning any war is violence and lots of it. ese Sabbat
oen spend most of their time running errands for
Packs love the smell of burnt timbers and exult in
their patron. Although many Sabbat look to the
the ickering shadows cast by an Elysium engulfed
Seraphim and the remaining Prisci for guidance
in ames. e Gehenna War demands bodies
now that the Regent and Cardinals are eectively
and these Cainites intend to supply them in vast
no more, few would consider pledging their entire
uantities. Attrition is a way of unllife for the Press
Pack to one of them. Such devotion is usually only
Gang and while their core membership is oen
reserved for Caine or Lilith within the Sword and
untouched, they burn through a screaming river of
Paladin Priests have to walk a ne line when exalt-
shovel heads on a monthly basis.
ing their master in their ritual sermons.
Priests of these bloodthirsty Packs oen follow
the Paths of Death and the Soul or Power and the
■ Arena: Rove (●●) and Clout (●●●) Inner Voice. ey oversee a hardened group of
■ Haven: (●●) or Resources (●●) veterans who are willing to use any means to see
■ Mawla: (●●) the end of the Antediluvians realized. eir 'novel'
■ Status: (●●) approach to the Creation Rites means that they
■ Enemies: (●●) rarely get attached to new Embraces and treat
their shovel heads as not only expendable, but as
Common Arenas/Roles: Ambassadors, Body - munitions to be red at the enemy and forgotten.
guards, Diplomats, Duelists, Templars ough the few times a shovel head endures their
50
THE BLACK HAND
early nights in a Press Gang they are oen treat- and research the artifacts they nd within.
ed with a strange reverence as the Pack looks for While Gangrel, Malkavian, and Ravnos Anti-
greater meaning in their survival. tribu are common among their number, Raiders
oen seek the mystical expertise of a Tzimisce or
■ Arena: Rove (●●), Clout (●) and Grasp (●●) Tremere Antitribu. eir Priests oen have to
■ Haven: (●) deal with the psychological and spiritual trauma
■ Enemies: (●●●) of their Packmates as they delve into the hidden
places of the earth in search of the Antediluvians
Common Arenas/Roles: Elysium Arsonists, Mas - or become frustrated as their hunts can oen prove
uerade Breakers, Shock Troops, Shovel Suad fruitless. e Ritae become a powerful tether for
these Packs as they can spend weeks exploring
Pack Ritae: Press Gangs have perfected the terror natural caverns and uncharted tunnels. eir faith
tactic commonly known as 'shovel heading'. While is constantly tested in the depths and the isolation
many Sabbat Packs round up unsuspecting mor- oen turns them into stoic Noddists or nihilistic
tals and mass Embrace them into the Sect using Reapers no longer deterred by a bleak fate.
the Creation Rites (see pg. 62), Press Gangs aren't
looking for a commitment. eir shovel heads are ■ Arena: Rove (●), Clout (●●) and Grasp (●)
suicide weapons and rarely survive their rst night ■ Retainer: (●) or Resources: (●)
as vampires. Once per Story, a Press Gang can raise ■ Haven: (●●) or Allies (●●)
a cadre of voracious thin bloods from recently ■ Linguistics: (●+)
killed mortals. No more than seven of these nearly ■ Enemies: (●●)
mindless shovel heads can be created at once and
they serve the Pack unuestioningly for a single Common Arenas/Roles: Code Breakers, Grave
night, though their hunger makes them unruly Robbers, Safe Crackers, Sarcophagus Junkies
and ill-suited for anything but violence. Use the
Unbirthed (see V5 Sabbat pg. 43) or a level two Pack Ritae: Raiders prefer Ignoblis Ritae that
in-blood Retainer with Potence two to approxi - illuminate and reveal buried secrets. Most of these
mate the stats of these shovel heads. If any of them Packs practice rituals and sermons that perfect
commit Diablerie before the end of the night, they their ability to crack ancient codes, decipher lost
may become new Packmates at the Storyteller's languages, or nd passageways that have never
discretion. been trod by mortals. Sabbat in these Packs add
+1 die to all Academics, Investigation, or Occult
rolls that make use of a Specialty and they gain one
Raiders extra language per dot in Linguistics.
e key to winning the Gehenna War is likely bur-
ied with the Antediluvians. Raiders are obsessed
with ancient places and hidden structures. Crypts, Removers
vaults, and catacombs are their stomping grounds. While wanton violence is oen the Sabbat's calling
While others seek the blood of elders, for them the card, sometimes more subtle methods are need -
taste of secrets is much sweeter. is Pack is lled ed to advance the cause of the Gehenna War. A
with researchers and adventurers, unafraid to dive well placed knife in the dark can oen solve more
deep into the unknown and risk unlife and sanity problems than a legion of blood starved shovel
to crack the code that will end the Antediluvians. heads. Removers are the Black Hands deadliest
Raiders make use of their own expertise and that killers. Once a name ends up on their list, they do
of blood bound mortals to dig clear ancient tombs everything within their power to cross them out.
51
Running in Packs
Princes, Emirs, and Primogens are uietly snued Ritualists
out in the heart of enemy territory or destroyed All Sabbat respect the Ritae and the Word, but
in dramatic Masuerade cracking public displays. Ritualists see themselves as the unliving soul of the
All Removers have their preferred methods, but Sect. ey have made protecting and perfecting the
paramount to their mission is not only murder but rituals and ideological foundations of the Sword of
sending a message that conveys the Sabbat's limit- Caine the focus of their unlives. Ritualists guard
less brutality, power, and reach. ancient texts and keep Ritae that have long fallen
Removers oen have Banu Haqim, Nosferatu, out of common practice, while also aiding in the
or Salubri Priests that keep the Pack's blood lust in development of the hidden Numinous Ritae that
check with an unshakable devotion to the Sword may hold the key to destroying or consuming the
of Caine. While some powerful Archbishops have Antediluvians. ese Cainites oen see the Gehen-
been known to attract the loyalty of these killers, na War as a holding action, meant to buy time for
most oen they work on their own initiative or their research. ey are in a race against time to
take direction from a Priscus or Seraphim. Remov- weaponize the secrets of the ancients before they
ers are notoriously independent and even when gather their full strength.
they take on assignments for a Sabbat luminary, eir Priests are usually drawn from the Tzi-
there is an unspoken understanding that their misce, Ministry, and Malkavian Antitribu. While
skills can just as easily be turned on them if they scholars usually dominate these Packs, a few nd
try to use the Pack's skills for personal gain. themselves led by a charismatic rebrand using
their knowledge of the Word to inspire others.
■ Arena: Rove (●●●) and Grasp (●●) ese evangelical Ritualists are oen guided by a
■ Mask: (●●) or Allies: (●●) Brujah or Caiti Priest that hopes to reignite the
■ Mawla: (●) or Any Seraphim Loresheet: (●+) zeal that saw the Sabbat survive and thrive aer
■ Status: (●●) the First Inuisition.
■ Enemies: (●●●)
■ Arena: Rove (●) and Clout (●●)
Common Arenas/Roles: Assassins, Extortionists, ■ Retainer: (●●)
Ghoul Snatchers, Impersonators, Terror Tactics ■ Haven: (●●)
■ Status: (●)
Pack Ritae: Removers practice Ignoblis Ritae that
recount the names and methods by which they Common Arenas/Roles: Evangelical Noddists,
dispatched great enemies of the Sword of Caine. Implements, Numinous Ritae, Traditional Ritae
ese Packs treat the Portillion (see V5 Corebook
pg. 196) of any Domain they operate within as if it Pack Ritae: All Cainites in a Ritualist Pack gain
was two lower. When searching for enemy Havens the base dot in the Ritae Advantage (see pg. 93)
in a Domain with a Portillion of zero this Pack and know one Numinous Ritae (see pg. 67) of the
negates any bonuses gained from Haven rating (see Pack's choice. Unsurprisingly these Packs are oen
V5 Corebook pg. 188) when attempting to spot, well-versed in the most obscure Ritae and they
penetrate, and surveil a vampire’s resting place. gain a +2 die bonus on any roll to research, perform
Removers also reduce a Domain's Portillion rat- or procure the reuired implements needed for a
ing by one for the rest of the Story whenever they Ritae. eir Ignoblis Ritae oen revolve around
successfully destroy a vampire within that Domain rote recitation of the history of the Auctoritas
with a Status of 3 or higher. Ritae and Sabbat lore.
52
THE BLACK HAND
Wanderers PICKING A PRIEST
While most Sabbat lead a semi-nomadic night-life - Who gets to play the Priest is an important ques-
style, Wanderers take being a nomad to the ex- tion that needs to be answered as a group as part
treme, relying on a small eet of motorcycles, vans, of the Pack creation process. This is a critical role
RVs and other vehicles to stay on the move. ese and Priests are often called upon by the Storyteller
Packs stash cars throughout their Rove in storage and other characters to advance plot and personal
units and parking garages, but they're not above stories. How much power and respect the Priest has
boosting a set of wheels that catches their eyes. in the Pack should also be roughly hammered out. A
Wanderers are always on the move, serving the weak or faltering Priest could lead to a powerful sto-
Sword as couriers, escorts, procurers and scouts. ry in the hands of a willing player. While Packs with
Banu Haqim and Gangrel are common among a lot of Clout may have a powerful Priest that claims
these Packs, but attrition rarely allows one clan the title of Bishop or Archbishop.
to dominate their numbers. Paths such as Cathari Players may decide on a Priest based on who
and Lilith nd fertile ground in the hearts of a contributed the most dots to the Pack, who has the
Wanderer Pack, it is not uncommon to nd their most experience playing Sabbat or even by a charac-
numbers completely devoted to one of these Paths ters Status. If consensus isn't possible the Storyteller
of Enlightenment. is brings its own challenges should have the players vote and break any ties. An
for any Cainite becoming a Priest among Wander- NPC Priest is also a possible stop gap measure until
ers. While arguments over philosophy are rarer, a player character is ready to step up to the role.
the Priest oen nds themselves responsible for
everything from planning travel routes to rationing
gasoline to negotiating with lupines. One literal
wrong turn can see a Priest violently deposed by
their stranded Pack, or worse they could be le
for the sun as the Pack makes its way to bloodier
pastures.
■ Arena: Rove (●●●) and Grasp (●)
■ Allies: (●●) or Resources: (●●)
■ No Haven: (●)
Common Arenas/Roles: Body Smulers, Car
Dealers, Lupine Trackers, Mobile Blood Bankers
Pack Ritae: A common Ignoblis Ritae among
Wanderers is the the of a cherry ride or a vehicle
belonging to a high prole enemy, such as a Ca -
marilla Emir or an Anarch Baron. Aer securing
such a trophy the Pack automatically succeeds on
all attempts to nd impromptu shelter or just in
time survival gear for the rest of Story or until the
vehicle is lost or destroyed, whichever happens
rst.
53
Running in Packs
54
THE BLACK HAND
Communal Havens or Rituals performed in the Haven have their
Vampires Havens are oen inviting places lled Diculty increased by one. Packmates and
with mortal comforts and personal touches. Ca - their Retainers will also be freuently prone
marilla and Anarch alike prefer private spaces that to accidents within the Haven that can be
both disarm mortal guests and deect scrutiny especially dangerous if the Haven contains a
from hunters. Few things are more personal or pri - Laboratory or Hidden Armory.
vate to a vampire than their Haven. As with many ■ Flaw: (●●) Infested. No matter how much poi -
things, the Sabbat invert this predilection with son spray or re gets used, insects and vermin
communal Havens that both reject mortal comfort nd the Haven an irresistible nesting ground.
and immortal privacy. ese creatures have a tendency to get into
e walls of communal Havens are oen everything and the Haven is oen littered with
adorned with Path iconography, ritual weapons, them. While this can unnerve mortal guests if
and passages from the Word. Monstrously esh- not cleaned regularly, the real nuisance comes
craed ghouls roam the passages for intruders, and in the form of disease. ese vermin and their
false entrances are ried with loud explosives and blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis or ma -
deadly shrapnel. What little private space exists is laria are carried by the Pack, regularly infecting
reserved for ritual, study, or martial practice. e their Retainers and herd. At the Storyteller's
heart of the Haven holds a communal sleeping area discretion this can reduce the eectiveness of
that can be anything from a cozy cuddle pile to a the Pack's mortal pawns or even tip o others
long row of armored cons. to their activities if they cause a large outbreak.
■ Flaw: (●●●): Condemned. e Pack's Haven
System: Sabbat communal Havens are built in a is a condemned or partially collapsed building
very similar way as Coterie Havens (see V5 Core- that is likely scheduled for demolition. While
book pg. 188). Packmates can pool their Haven dots they can delay its destruction, a long-term solu -
together to buy Haven Merits and Flaws for their tion will likely reuire a great deal of inuence
shared space. e key dierence is that it is exceed - and/or Resources. e Haven's state of disrepair
ingly uncommon for a Sabbat Cainites to keep a also means the Pack has to constantly deal with
separate personal Haven. If a Sabbat vampire does electrical shorts, burst water pipes, curious
so they should also take the aw (●) Suspect or (●) vagrants, and rotting oorboards.
Dark Secret (Personal Haven). Below are addition-
al merits and aws available to Sabbat Packs. • Sanctum: e Haven has a dedicated space
Also, Sabbat regularly pack up or destroy their for performing Ritae. It is stocked with
Havens as part of their semi-nomadic unlife. While common implements and has enough room
some Packs keep backup Havens for this purpose, to perform all but the largest Ritae. Each
many simply take over an enemy's Haven and mod- dot in this Merit allows the Pack to per-
ify it as they need. If there is ever a uestion of how form one Auctoritas Ritae of their choice
uickly a Pack can re-establish or recoup the dots even if they're missing key implements, or
they spent on an abandoned Haven, use the Pack's if their Priest is absent, or if none of them
Grasp rating (see pg. 44) as a guide. have the Ritae Advantage (see pg. 93). is
merit is not available in small Havens.
• Slaughterhouse: Your Pack's Haven has a
■ Flaw: (●) Leyline Sick. e Haven’s vibe has dedicated space for mortals to congregate
always been o. Whether its ley lines or feng and entertain themselves. is is oen a
shui, the negative energy interferes with powers drug den, 24-hour rave space, or cult-like
of Blood Magic and Oblivion. Any Ceremonies temple. Mortals come and go as they please,
55
Running in Packs
but have no access to the Haven proper. • Kennel: Either as a reward for service to
Larger Slaughterhouses are also built with the Sword or through your own powers
uick cleanup in mind, with features such you have Blood-Hounds (see V5 Sabbat pg.
as oor drains, tiled surfaces, or even incin - 34) or Guard Dogs with Potence 1 (see V5
erators. Many Sabbat may nd this practice Corebook pg. 373). ese cruel canines are
taboo, but few would dare meddle in how rened and empowered by Cainite blood
a Pack keeps their own house. Dots in this and trained to take commands from Pack-
merit allow a Packmate to slake one Hun - mates regardless of their capability with
ger per week without a hunting roll. Also Animalism. Each dot of this Merit provides
once per Story the Pack can "liuidate" two of these animals that will not stray
all of their regulars and perform a Blood from your Pack's haven. Dots in this merit
Feast (see pg. 61). Dots in this merit cannot cannot exceed your Pack's base Haven dots.
exceed your Pack's base Haven dots. • Fail-safe: When all else fails sometimes
• Bunker: Your Pack's Haven is lled with the best defense against intruders is a few
weapons and the tools for maintaining sticks of dynamite and a lot of prayers to
them. You can even make your own ammu- Caine. Your Haven is ried with explosives
nition given time and supplies. For every that can either be tripped by intruders or
dot in this Merit, you add the following to manually activated by a Packmate or Re -
your armory: one stake, one Heavy melee tainer willing to pull the pin and watch the
weapon (re axe, sword), and one Heavy shrapnel y. ese traps do a base 12 points
gun (shotgun, .357 magnum). ese weap- of Aravated damage, -1 per meter from
ons are usually openly mounted on walls or the center of detonation and intervening
laying around the Pack's sleeping space. walls also reduce this damage. is damage
• Question Room: Your Haven has a is Supercial to vampires unless incendi -
soundproof room euipped with tools for ary munitions are used, but even Sabbat
interrogation. ese can be anything from are hesitant to rig their Havens with that
hammers to mirrors that redirect sunlight. kind of repower. Each dot in this Merit is
When using violent interrogation (see V5 two entrances or chokepoints ried with
Corebook pg. 413) reduce the damage done an explosive charge that can be set to a
to your captives by an amount eual to the tripwire or remotely detonated. is Merit
dots in this Merit to a minimum of one. is oen coupled with Security Systems (see
is Merit is oen coupled with a Cell (see V5 Corebook pg. 189).
V5 Corebook pg. 189).
• Bunk House: Your Pack's Haven is
crammed with bunk beds, cons, and
mattresses. Bathtubs, crawl spaces, closets,
and even kitchen cupboards have been torn
out or re-purposed as sleeping space. Even
for a Sabbat Haven personal space and
privacy are at a bare minimum. Each dot of
this Merit allows an additional Sabbat Pack
to rest within the Haven. Your Pack's dots
in this Merit can never exceed their base
Haven dots plus two.
56
THE BLACK HAND
Pack Loresheets out taking care not to alienate the Cainites that
make up their Host. Archbishops or Bishops who
e Pack is the Sabbat’s organizing principle and attempt to dictate the membership of existing
many of the Sect’s advantages come from this com - Packs under their command had best be very sure
munal bond. Some Sabbat Loresheets can only be of their power, or see themselves torn apart by the
purchased by pooling Advantages or Pack dots. very Cainites they wish to lead.
e most common of these are Seraphim Lore -
sheets though some Packs dedicated to a specic System: A Sabbat vampire who no longer belongs
Noddist text, rare philosophy, or even a heresy to a Pack or is known to not have Vinculum Blood
could have a Pack Loresheet as well. While these Bonds immediately gains the Flaw (●) Suspect. If
Loresheets do not preclude a Sabbat vampire from they're lucky, charming, or powerful other Sab -
having their own Loresheet, a Pack can only have bat may try and recruit them into their Pack. e
one Pack Loresheet. ese Loresheets are taed above aw is removed once they've established a
as “Sabbat Pack Only” or “Seraphim: Sabbat Pack Bond Strength 3 Vinculum with their new Pack
Loresheet Only”. through the Vaulderie Ritae (see pg. 59). A Sabbat
Since a Pack can only have one such Loresheet, vampire who actively refuses to join a new Pack
it is chosen by group consensus and the player will uickly gain the Flaw (●●) Shunned and may
playing the Priest should do their best to help the become the target of a Wild Hunt (see pg. 66) if
group decide on a Loresheet that all Packmates can they fail to make amends through contrition Ritae
support or benet from. It’s also important to note or otherwise prove their loyalty.
that taking a Loresheet doesn’t necessarily mean e one exception to the rule of the Pack is if a
the Pack supports the subject of the Loresheet. A Sabbat Cainite has 4 or more dots of Status within
Pack who opposes a Seraphim could take levels in the Sect. As long as these vampires maintain their
their Loresheet to mark their inltration of the Status they cannot gain Status aws solely because
Host or a personal vendetta against them. New they no longer run with a Pack. ese Cainites
Loresheets start on pg. 114. oen take on roles as political or spiritual advisers,
such as a Priscus or Cathari Perfecti. Only a few
Seraphim run without a Pack and the nature of
their Status within the Sabbat can be ckle as their
Leaving the Pack Behind fortune and glory fade.
Sabbat vampires rarely leave their Packs of their
own will. Oen only attrition or severe ideological
dierences will force a Sabbat vampire to seek a CHOOSING A SERAPHIM
new Pack, though even then it's more likely they'll If a Pack is dedicated to or opposing a particular
simply add to their numbers through the Creation Seraphim it can have deep narrative impact on
Rites or use the Monomacy to steer the Pack down the game's story. A callous Seraphim could thrust
a path more to their liking. When a Sabbat nds the Pack into the front lines of the Gehenna War
themselves without a Pack they are a danger to regardless of their capabilities. Joining or opposing
themselves and the Sect. Unless they are a power- a Seraphim's Host is a serious decision, and players
ful member of the Sword, they'll likely be pressed should sound out the Storyteller for the best or
into a new Pack or destroyed as a traitor. most interesting t for their Chronicle. Also it's
Although still rare, the rise of the Seraphim has perfectly ne to not have anything to do with the
made it more common for Packs to be reformed Seraphim and their cults of personality.
by the will of a powerful leader. ough only the
most foolhardy would dare reshue Packs with -
57
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The Ritae
e only value of this world lay in its power... to suest another world.
— THOMAS LIGOI, SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER
he Sabbat follows many doctrines, dogmas and Paths of Enlighten -
T ment, but central to both their spirituality and communal structure
are the collective practices known as the Ritae. ese are tradition-
ally divided into the sacrosanct Auctoritas and the more informal
Ignoblis Ritae, but as the Gehenna War has raged on new and untested rituals
have been revealed to the Sword's faithful. ese so-called Numinous Ritae
make use of secrets stolen from the ancients and their pawns, and many hope
their perfection hold the seeds of the Antediluvians' destruction. As with all
things in the modern Sabbat, with Gehenna upon them they no longer suab -
ble over dierences of faith and so-called heresy. While only a few Packs make
use of the Numinous Ritae, all Sabbat respect the bloody sacrices that were
necessary to cra and understand these rituals.
58
THE BLACK HAND
Auctoritas Ritae e Vaulderie
In the modern nights the Sabbat's Auctoritas Ritae e heart of the Sabbat is the sharing of blood
have undergone signicant changes. Many have known as the Vaulderie. It is the most important
fallen into disuse as the Sword has become splin- and revered of the Auctoritas Ritae. Part Tzimisce
tered and unmoored from its traditional strong - devotion and part blood magic, the Pack spills
holds. While still considered among the foun - their blood into a cup, chalice or other contain -
dational rituals of the Sabbat, Auctoritas Ritae er under their Priest’s guidance and then drink
such as the Blood Bath and Binding see rare use in the mixed result. e Vaulderie is the secret that
nomadic Packs that must spend countless months allowed the Sabbat to emerge from the Anarch
deep within enemy territory. Other Auctoritas Ri - revolt as a powerful and cohesive force. Within the
tae have become synonymous with particular Paths Vaulderie chalice the Pack's blood is imbued with
of Enlightenments that heavily modify the ritual power allowing them to break their past bonds and
practice to suit their own needs. Only in very large form new attachments among their Packmates.
gatherings or at the insistence of an attending ese bonds are known as the Vinculum. e Vaul -
Priscus will the most traditional ceremonies be derie’s blood bond ensures that the Sabbat have a
observed. well deserved reputation for fanaticism.
Regardless of how devoutly a Pack follows these ese bonds formed by the Vaulderie grow
Ritae, Sabbat Priests mark the calendar of their over time and make Sabbat particularly dicult to
unlives by the expected and timely performance interrogate as their personal loyalty to their Pack is
of the Auctoritas Ritae. Holy seasons see nomadic girded by the supernatural power of the blood. A
Packs gather to perform these Ritae before parting Sabbat's willingness to accept nal death in service
ways. is esoteric procession of Ritae is sometimes to their cause is why they are oen called a death
called Caine's Calendar, but the specic timing of cult. Only Cainites Embraced into the Sabbat or
ritual observances oen changes for reasons only who have proven their loyalty beyond doubt are
known to the Sabbat's Priests and the few remain - allowed to partake in the Vaulderie. Vampires that
ing ritual scholars in the Sword. go for prolonged periods without the Vaulderie can
suer powerful withdrawal pains.
System: All Sabbat know the basics of the Ri -
tae and can perform them in a rudimentary or System: e Vaulderie creates a group Blood Bond
perfunctory manner. To gain the benets of any between vampires known as the Vinculum. e
Auctoritas Ritae, a Pack must have all members Vinculum starts with a Bond Strength of 1 but in -
present and their Priest must have one dot in the creases by 1 step each time the Ritae is performed
Ritae Advantage (see pg. 93). An ignorant Priest (up to a maximum of 3). Celebrants also have all
also prevents Packmates from beneting from of their non-Vinculum Blood Bonds broken and
their Touchstone Ritae (see pg. 13). Also many immediately reduced to 0 Bond Strength. When a
Packs make use of specialized or uniue imple- Sabbat has a Vinculum with a Bond Strength of 3
ments such as a chalice made from an enemy's skull or higher they become immune to new non-Vincu -
or a knife stolen from a Justicar. e loss of one lum Blood Bonds.
of these implements could potentially prevent or Covens and established Packs that regularly use
delay a Pack from being able to carry out some of the Vaulderie Ritae have a mutual Vinculum with a
their Ritae until they are recovered, but that is at Bond Strength of 3, though Pack Priests rarely have
the Storyteller's discretion. to call upon this bond unless the Pack is deeply
divided on a course of action. While most Sabbat
only perform the Vaulderie two or three times a
month, Packs that have recently Embraced or con -
59
e Riae
verted new members will perform the Vaulderie Binding
much more freuently to bind them to the Black Although it is less common in the Final Nights, the
Hand. Vaulderies performed between Packs or Binding is a Ritae performed when several Packs
very large groups of Sabbat form weaker Vincu- meet or gather for the rst time. e highest rank-
lums with a Bond Strength of 1 that fades over the ing Priest leads this Ritae and it borrows much
course of a month. from the Vaulderie with the sharing of blood at it's
Pack Priests and other Sabbat can call upon culmination. All Sabbat present at a Binding de -
the Vinculum to sway their brethren, forcing them clare their loyalty the Black Hand and to the Word
to succeed in a contest of Resolve + Intelligence that binds them to their Paths.
vs. Bond Strength to go against them. Sabbat
who abuse the Vinculum this way will nd them - System: All Sabbat participants have their active
selves exiled by their Pack or even challenged to Vinculums increased to a Bond Strength of 6 for
Monomacy (see Monomacy Ritae pg. 64). the rest of the night. ey become immune to any
Vampires with Vinculum Bond Strength ratings attempts to subvert their loyalty to the Sabbat,
of 3 that go a full month without partaking of the though they can still be deceived into taking
Vaulderie will become spiritually Impaired (-2 die actions that hurt their cause. In Social combat this
penalty to all rolls). is condition is removed upon also makes a Sabbat vampire immune to any Will-
celebrating the Vaulderie again. If a Cainite goes a power damage relying on making them doubt their
full year without the Vaulderie the Impaired con - Pack’s loyalty or valuing their personal ambitions
dition is removed, all Vinculums are shattered and over that of the Sabbat. If this Ritae is performed
their Bond Strengths are reduced to zero. Willfully by a Bishop or other high ranking Sabbat, the Pack
avoiding the Vaulderie too oen is considered an can change it's Pack Type and/or the focus of their
act of treason in the Sword and such traitors are Arena if they have unanimous agreement on their
usually hunted down by their former Packmates new direction.
before they can slip completely free of the blood
bond (see Wild Hunt Ritae pg. 66).
VINCULUM AND THE TREMERE
Blood Bath
When a Sabbat takes a title beyond their Pack,
Tremere and other vampires incapable of creating
such as Bishop or Archbishop, the Blood Bath is
Blood Bonds gain all the benets of the Vaulderie.
used to cement their claim. While the politics of
The one exception is when they try to make use of
the Sect have greatly simplied since the start of
the Vinculum to sway others. Their targets always
the Gehenna War, Cainite nature means they will
treat the Vinculum's Bond Strength as 1 when
always grasp for power and prestige when they can.
making their contested Resolve + Intelligence roll,
e Blood Bath usually sees the new leader naked
regardless of how often they partake of the Vaul-
and seated in a small tub while blood is poured
derie or if they have recently undergone the Binding
onto them by their Pack. Uniers and Noddists
Ritae. At the Storyteller's discretion, Tremere may
sometimes sacrice captured enemies as part of the
also take a penalty equal to their Bane Severity on
ritual, but at the Ritae’s invocation all drink from
any Social roll that strictly relies on a Vinculum bond
the spilled blood and swear fealty to the Sect.
to sway their audience.
System: A Vinculum with a Bond Strength of 3
is created between the Sabbat celebrants and the
anointed leader. Aer a month the Bond Strength
falls to 1 but never fails as long as the anointed
60
THE BLACK HAND
retains their title and the Sabbat involved regularly Although it diers by Path, it is not uncommon
celebrate the Vaulderie with their Pack. Also, as for these mortals to be prepared for the feast by
long as the anointed retains their position and has being forced to take psychotropic drugs or other
one-dot of Ritae (see pg. 93) they can lead Auc- substances that pass on their eects to the Cainites
toritas Ritae that benet all Sabbat present that that will devour them. Some Packs keep a Slaugh-
recognize their authority as if they were a Priest. terhouse (see Communal Havens pg. 55) near their
Havens so they can uickly round up mortals for
Blood Feasts.
Blood Feast System: Once per Story a vampire participating
e Blood Feast is a celebration of vampirism and a in a Blood Feast can reduce their Hunger to zero
bonding ritual between Packs. Mortals are rounded regardless of any feeding aws or clan Banes. Ad -
up in large numbers and delivered to a specially ditionally for the rest of the night aer the Ritae
prepared site by the ociating Priest and their they may roll +1 die and take the highest for all of
Pack. is is sometimes done subtly by established their Rouse checks. is benet stacks with bo -
covens that do not wish to attract too much mortal nuses to Rouse checks the Cainite may gain from
attention, but nomadic Packs are usually careless having a high Blood Potency. A Blood Feast usually
in how they corral their victims, ey oen hijack reuires a Pack to kill or severely wound 2-3 mor-
crowded buses or kidnap everyone in a household. tals per Cainite participant.
61
e Riae
Creation Rites
A crowd of mortals are Embraced against their will
and then buried in a mass grave. e few who sur-
face are beaten, cowed, and sworn into the Sabbat
with their rst Vaulderie. ese starving shovel
heads are then let loose against enemies. ose who
survive their rst nights are considered true Sabbat
and inducted into a Pack to begin their journey
on a Path. e Creation Rites are both sacred and
profane, and Packs oen take liberties with the
specics to suit their own needs.
Some use symbolic graves when Embracing
promising recruits as they do not want to risk los -
ing them to wassail. Despite this initial kindness,
Priests oen strip recruits of their mortal identity
by kidnapping friends and families for the newly
arisen to feast upon. ose taken by the Cathari
might not fully recollect such brutality while in
the throes of frenzy, but the vampires taken by
the Reapers will have to feed and kill while in full
control of their senses. e balm of the Vaulderie is
used to calm and bind the traumatized.
System: Aer surviving the Creation Rites a
Cainite is uniuely open to forging a new identity
centered around a Path. If the vampire is tutored
and accepts a Path within a month of surviving the
Creation Rites, they may take a new Conviction
or replace one of their existing Convictions with
a Path specic one. Oen the new recruit’s faith
is tested by destroying the Touchstone linked to a
supplanted Conviction. is initial Path Convic-
tion will oen have the Vaulderie as its Touchstone
Ritae (see Touchstone Ritae page 13).
Festivo
e Festivo dello Estinto, or Festival of the Dead,
is a series of Ritae that honors brothers, sisters, and
comrades destroyed in service to the Black Hand.
e Sabbat was born out of the res of the First
Inuisition and it will triumph by enduring the
second. Not only are lost Packmates remembered,
but it is also seen as an auspicious time to settle
62
THE BLACK HAND
unnished business and for revenge. Isolated Packs must show their true colors before the re and a
oen celebrate this Ritae to coincide with simi - failed dance can lead to a challenge over leadership
lar mortal holidays such as the Day of the Dead, or even Final death. Crossing the ames marks a
though most Packs celebrate it according to the Sabbat as one willing to risk it all for the Sect and
ritual calendars set by their Priest. Some Packs it is a popular rite of contrition for Sabbat that
use this time to summon the spirits of departed have been accused of cowardice, faithlessness, or
Packmates, allowing them to possess their vampiric ignorance. For the Black Hand risking the ames is
bodies for an evening. ese re-bodied Packmates the price of knowledge and the burden of existing
will oen relive their glory days with excessive feats without fear.
of violence and debauchery. It is not always easy to
dislodge these spirit echoes from their hosts, and System: All Sabbat vampires that take part in a
evicting such an unwelcome guest can sometimes Fire Dance heal one Aravated Willpower at the
reuire the intervention of a necromancer. Ritae's completion. If they endured the Ritae with-
Festivo is a time of rumination and revelation. out getting burned their Sabbat Status aws are
Secrets and old grudges thought long buried can reduced by one dot for the rest of the Session. is
nd their way back to the surface. An Anarch reduces the Shunned aw to Suspect, and suppress-
gang could become the target of a possessed Sabbat es the Suspect aw completely.
warrior who sees them as traitors to the cause; or a A Sabbat Cainite burned during the Fire Dance
Camarilla Coterie could have their haven invaded can automatically resist or Ride the Wave o Terror
by a confused Sabbat vampire looking for a forgot- Frenzy (Rotschrek) as long as they retain one
ten acuaintance or lost item, their Pack not too Aravated wound that was inicted by the Ritae.
far behind. e Festival of the Dead is one of the is benet also extends to their Pack as long as
few times when the Sabbat looks back on their past they are in their presence. is benet fades once
accomplishments and failures. the Aravated wound is healed or at the end of
the Story.
System: During the Festival of the Dead all Sabbat
that participate in this Ritae can feel the presence
of anyone deceased with whom they once shared a
Vaulderie or deep emotional connection. If their Games of Instinct
connection was especially strong, they can invite Unlike many other Auctoritas Ritae that follow
these echoes to possess them for a night. Any Sab - clear forms and patterns of ritual, Games of In -
bat allowing a former Packmate, Touchstone, or stincts can take on many shapes but have a central
Diablerie victim to possess them immediately heals idea at their heart. A Priest declares a challenge,
all Willpower damage and removes all Stains. If usually with a trophy to be captured and taboos or
they survive the night they could even gain knowl - rules that cannot be crossed. e rst to accom -
edge of a rare Discipline, Loresheet, or Specialty plish the challenge to the Priest's satisfaction is
possessed by the echo that they could purchase declared the victor. While they can take on any
with Experience at the Storyteller's discretion. form, some Games of Instinct include stealing an
item from a Camarilla Elysium without being seen,
capturing a Lupine alive and whole during a full
moon, or even racing a demolition derby through
Fire Dance city streets and keeping score by the number of
e Fire Dance reuires a great re to be lit and mortals killed and injured.
Sabbat push and taunt each other to leap through Games of Instincts are sometimes used as con-
the ames without fear or hesitation. Even Priests trition rites for those Sabbat that have shown poor
63
e Riae
judgment or have endangered their Pack through hesitant to challenge Devourers given their lust for
selsh action. ese games oen reuire teamwork the heart's blood. Although declining a Monomacy
and navigating the taboos can make capturing the oen results in the loss of Status and could poten -
trophy nearly impossible to accomplish without tially turn your own Pack against you.
your Pack's support or goading.
System: Sabbat who witness or participate in a
System: All Sabbat vampires taking part in this Monomacy are unable to take part in another for
Ritae heal one Aravated Willpower at the Ritae's the rest of the Session. Once a Monomacy is over,
completion. If they accomplish the Ritae's goal its results cannot be undermined or uestioned
without breaking any of its taboos their Sabbat through Social Conict for the rest of the Ses -
Status aws are reduced by one dot for the rest of sion. If the victor chooses Diablerie, they cannot
the Session. is reduces the Shunned aw to Sus - mitigate the Humanity loss in any way unless their
pect, and suppresses the Suspect aw completely. Humanity rating is one (see pg. 12). e loser's allies
A Cainite that claims the trophy during this are also likely to hold a grudge.
Ritae can automatically resist or Ride the Wave of At the Storyteller's discretion, Sabbat without
Fury Frenzy for as long as they possess the trophy any Status or with the Suspect or Shunned Flaw
that was claimed during the Ritae. is benet cannot call for a Monomacy. A challenge against a
also extends to their Pack when they are present. Cainite with 3 or more dots of Sabbat Status must
is benet fades once the trophy is lost or at the be ociated by a Cardinal, Priscus, or Seraphim.
end of the Story.
DIABLERIE AND RITAE
A few Ritae push Sabbat to Diablerie. Unless the Ri-
Monomacy tae states otherwise they incur the usual Stains and
When brothers, sisters, and comrades disagree and Humanity loss for committing this act. If the Sabbat
cannot come to terms and their Priests fail to settle is on a Path they suer one Aggravated Willpower
the matter, then they must come to terms through damage instead of losing their last Humanity dot
combat. e exact terms of a Monomacy may vary (see pg. 12). This trumps any penalty a Ritae inicts.
but oen the loser will be destroyed or diablerized
if they do not concede before they are bested or
put into Torpor. When a Priest is challenged for
their title oen the Monomacy is decided at rst
blood or with a duel of wits or faith. "Palla" or Ballo Grande
Of the Auctoritas Ritae, the Monomacy is the Jokingly referred to as the "Palla Grande" by Amer-
only Ritae that any Sabbat can demand if they ican Sabbat, this Ritae was once the political event
have cause. Although most disputes are settled and spiritual gathering at the center of the Sab -
through talking it out with a Priest, important ti - bat's ritual calender. Sabbat covens would plot and
tles of leadership are only decided by Monomacy. It scheme to impress inuential Cardinals and bloat-
can be a cruel unlife, but for the Sword of Caine it ed Lasombra elders. Now the Ballo Grande has
is the only assurance against the tyranny of elders returned to its roots, since the Sabbat is no longer
and political schemers. Followers of the Path of preoccupied with holding turf or dancing in masks.
Caine hold this Ritae in particular reverence and is Ritae encourages Cainites to indulge in their
do not invoke it lightly. Diablerie is almost always vampiric nature and the Masuerade suers when
the fate of those that lose a Monomacy challenge the Sabbat celebrate the red banuet. For this rea -
against a Noddist and other Sabbat are oen son it's a Ritae almost exclusively performed within
64
THE BLACK HAND
Camarilla or Anarch controlled domains. When tions and how the grace of Caine or the teachings
the hunters come to investigate their excesses the of Lilith have guided their unlife.
Black Hand is long gone and their enemies have to
clean up the mess or die trying. System: All Sabbat vampires taking part in a Ser -
During the Ballo Grande, Packs aunt their mon heal one Supercial Willpower damage at the
powers and openly feast on blood in front of mor- Ritae's completion. A Cainite who testies to their
tals for several nights in a row. For Noddists the sins and failings during this Ritae gains the Status
Ballo Grande is a taste of what could be when the aw Suspect until the end of the Story. For as long
Black Hand openly rules from Caine’s throne aer as they possess this aw, they can automatically
the Antediluvians are defeated. e Cathari take resist or Ride the Wave of Hunger Frenzy. is
a more nuanced approach to the whole aair and benet also extends to their Pack when they are
seek out mortals embodying the worst that humans in their presence. is benet fades once the aw
have to oer. ese paragons of lth are tortured, is lost or at the end of the Story. A Cainite that is
teased, attered and frightened to their limits and already Suspect or Shunned will not be allowed to
then oered the release of death. Most are killed, testify or gain this benet of the Ritae.
but those that meet the Cathari’s ckle standards
of perversity are instead Embraced.
System: Sabbat heal one Aravated Willpower War Party
or Health damage upon awakening the night aer Originally this ritae was reserved for hunting down
participating in a Ballo Grande. Once the Ritae is great enemies of the Black Hand, and only occa-
concluded, all Sabbat that participated in at least sionally enacted in service of devouring a Methu -
3 nights of the Ritae do not register as undead or selah or other ancient vampire. e Gehenna War
vampires to mystical or technological scrutiny for has ipped that calculus upside down. e Sabbat
the rest of the Story. Even aer this eect wears o has devoted all of its strength to discovering the
their auras remain cleansed of all signs of Diablerie. weaknesses of the blood gods that founded the
vampiric blood lines and unearthing their most
powerful lieutenants. e Antediluvians were mor-
tal once and only their oldest pawns know if they
Sermons of Caine have an Achilles heel le over from their breathing
e Sermons of Caine oen accompany the Vaul- days. A Pack or group of Packs invokes this Ritae
derie when Noddists gather. ese Ritae oen when they are condent an ancient is within strik-
make ostentatious use of the Pack's most prized ing distance and they are charged with nothing
implements such as fragments of the Word, blood short of devouring this monster's soul.
soaked vestments or the denuded skulls of van-
uished enemies. Packs led by Bahari or others System: A Diablerist under the eects of this Ritae
with a more complex understanding of Caine oen gains 6 experience points per success on a Diablerie
refer to this Ritae as a Sermon of Faith. When in - roll (see V5 Corebook p.235) against the Ritae's
voked to inspire a Pack during dire times or before target. Diablerizing the target of a War Party
a great battle, some Priests will use parables from inicts one Aravated Willpower damage on the
the Book of Nod or the Revelations of the Dark Diablerist instead of any Humanity loss if they are
Mother to illustrate the pre-ordained or righteous on a Path. Participating in a successful War Party
nature of their cause. Less scholarly Sabbat Priests increases Sabbat Status to two-dots for the Story.
will call upon a willing Sabbat to stand before the ose under the eects of a War Party cannot
congregation and speak on their trials and tribula - gain the benet of any Ritae other than the Vaul-
65
e Riae
derie until the target of the War Party is destroyed If the Ritae is abandoned or the target is de -
or the War Party is abandoned. Abandoning this stroyed by a non-Sabbat, all Cainites hunters under
Ritae is a mark of great shame, and a Pack gains this Ritae gain the Status Flaw Suspect. If they
the Status Flaw Suspect until they can redeem already have this Flaw, they gain the Status Flaw
themselves. is Ritae does not allow more than Shunned instead.
one Cainite to commit Diablerie upon the target.
e Wild Hunt
Ignoblis Ritae
e common and utilitarian Ritae of the Sabbat
As with the other Ritae beloved by the Uniers,
are known as the Ignoblis Ritae. ese are oen
the Wild Hunt is observed when lines of obedience
informal rituals followed by specic Packs, the
and dominance must be asserted and claried.
Sabbat of a particular Domain or the Host of a Ser -
Since all matters of punishment and justice are
aphim. ese Ritae can take on any form, but serve
usually handled by their Priest, the Wild Hunt is
the Pack by re-enforcing their bonds of loyalty and
only called when a traitor to the Sabbat has eluded
their group identity. Most Ignoblis Ritae are mod -
punishment and is beyond the reach of their Pack.
ern in aectation but a rare few have been passed
Oen held under a full moon, the Wild Hunt
down within a Pack for centuries and may have all
is a last resort to justice and the prize is always
the pomp if not the power of an Auctoritas Ritae.
the hearts’ blood of the traitor. Any Pack present
at the Ritae’s invocation can participate in the
System: Unless they have another function such as
Wild Hunt, but it is expected that any Sabbat that
punishment or contrition, these Ritae can be used
recently shared Vaulderie with the traitor will take
to change a Pack’s Resonance to match the Reso -
part. Unlike most other ritae, the Wild Hunt is
nance of the Pack Priest or to heal each Packmate
only consummated when the victim is destroyed
of one supercial Willpower damage. Each Pack
and proof of the act is brought back to the oci -
Type (see pg. 45) have their own Ritae and Priest's
ant.
will oen cra Ignoblis Ritae to suit a need.
System: As long as they are actively pursuing the
target of a Wild Hunt all Sabbat taking part in the
Ritae’s invocation gain a +2 die bonus to all Wits
rolls. Moreover, weak mortals (see V5 Corebook
pg. 185) nd these Cainites nondescript and will
have diculty identifying them accurately, oen
confusing them for a face in the crowd.
When the target is destroyed by a Sabbat
Cainite, all vampires under this Ritae become
aware of the victor's identity as the Ritae fades. e
victor herself immediately gains one-dot of Sabbat
Status and any Status Flaws they already have are
supressed for the rest of the Story. Sabbat pursuing
a traitor under the auspices of this Ritae cannot
benet from any other Auctoritas Ritae other than
the Vaulderie for the rest of the Story or until the
target is destroyed.
66
THE BLACK HAND
Numinous Ritae
Moral once, but now they have
moved beyond even immorality.
ey have acquired the properties
of the Aeons through which they
passed. Time has clad them in
impenetrable armor, but they were
moral once.
THE OAXACA DIARIES
It's unclear if Numinous Ri-
tae were developed during the
Gehenna War or re-discovered
from some lost cache of Black access to one Numinous Ritae of before they can be attempted.
Hand secrets. Some Cainites their choice and may be called is may reuire the Pack to go
even whisper they were sal- upon to aid in their research and out of their way to prepare for
vaged by Reapers and wraiths perfection. For the vast majority their invocation. Unless their
from the lost city of Enoch, of Sabbat these Ritae are only rules say otherwise, these Ritae
whose walls were built by Caine known to them as rumors. Un - can only be used by a Pack once
himself. ese Ritae are rare and proven invocations of raw power per Story.
can only be acuired though that could as easily destroy a
Loresheets or by buying the Pack as strengthen it.
Anointed extra in the Ritae
Background (see pg. 93). Unlike System: When a Pack invokes Dreams of Ratziel
Auctoritas Ritae, these rituals a Numinous Ritae it always e Book of Nod makes mention
are not uniformly recognized or takes at least one night and it of several Archangels visiting
honored within the Sabbat. Nu - deals one Aravated Willpower Caine with their creator's curses
minous Ritae are not time tested damage to every Cainite in the and false promises on their lips.
rituals of faith and devotion, but Pack. Multiple Packs of Sabbat While no denitive text exists,
jury-ried spiritual weapons of can participate in a Numinous most Noddists scholars agree on
war that will hopefully shatter Ritae, but this only aects the a core set of chapters or books
the armor of aeons and wound outcome if the specic Ritae that detail all of these visita-
the Antediluvians themselves. mentions them. In fact, word tions. Amid the apocrypha and
e Storyteller is the nal that a Pack may be attempting a passed over fragments that are
judge of which Numinous Ritae Numinous Ritae is just as likely not commonly recognized by
are available, and they may to inspire trepidation as support Noddists as canon is the visi -
reuire that a Pack gain the among their brethren. tation of Ratziel. According to
favor of a Mawla or Seraphim Most Numinous Ritae re-
for the opportunity to learn one uire expensive materials, rare
or more. Most Packs will never oerings and special implements
learn any of these Ritae, though
Ritualist Packs begin play with
67
e Riae
these apocryphal tales, the arch - Humanity as if it was +2 higher Enochian Spear
angel of secrets came to Enoch for the purposes of determining is Numinous Ritae attempts
as a dream in search of a great the duration of their Torpor. to enchant a weapon by using
book of magic that had been If they have already spent that the stolen blood, esh, and
entrusted to Caine's father. As much time in Torpor, they secrets of an elder vampire.
was the Dark Father's want, he awaken soon aer being sub - Usually this means a Sabbat
rebued the angel and claimed merged in the blood. Otherwise Priest anoints a chosen mun -
that he and Lilith had unlocked they must wait out the rest of dane weapon such as a sword,
the tome's secrets in Nod and their new Torpor duration with - knife or club with blood forcibly
destroyed it. e angered Ratziel in the ritual blood bath which taken from an elder vampire,
laid upon Caine's blood the is maintained with short daily but sometimes stakes are craed
curse o Torpor, that depriva- devotions and baed or fresh from the re-hardened bones
tion or suering would see them blood. Vampires awakened by of a methuselah or a sword uses
fall into a near endless sleep of this Ritae have a Hunger of 4. leather stripped from an ancient
nightmares. Kindred to cover its hilt.
is Ritae attempts to awak- ese weapons are spiritual
en a Cainite locked in Torpor in nature even though they are
with the Dreams of Ratziel, the EXAMPLE:
embodied by a simple sword or
promise of magical power reject- Passy has entered Torpor aer
other tool physically. e nal
ed by Caine and stolen by Lilith. getting into a scrap with a
step in the Enochian Spear Ritae
While this doctrine would have werewol. Her Pack is unable to
is always a stolen secret whis-
verged on open heresy in the wake her as she is the proge-
pered to the weapon to awaken
past, the modern Sabbat is more ny of a powerful Malkavian
it to its greater purpose.
concerned with results than Antitribu elder. Aer a month
dogma. of searching they are able to get
System: is Ritae enchants a
another Pack to perform the
simple melee weapon, usually a
System: A Cainite in Torpor Riae with blood aken from a
sword or spear, so that it does
is placed within a specially mage.
increased damage when it strikes
prepared bath lled with blood, Since her Blood Potency is
a Cainite with a high Blood
mineral salt, and rare herbs. e 4, she doesn't awaken immedi-
Potency. While in-bloods
blood lling the tub must come ately, instead this Riae will in-
and mortals aren't impacted by
from a vampire that is either lin- crease her Humanity by +4 (+2
this enchantment, wraiths can
eage related (sire, childe, etc.) to per Pack including her own) for
be struck by these weapons and
the Cainite in Torpor, or from a the purposes of determining her
suer Supercial wounds.
rare supernatural being such as a new Torpor duration. Passy's 2
e blood used in the Ritae
mage or lupine. Humanity is eectively increased
can also impart the enchanted
If the aicted Cainite's to 6, which reduces her Torpor
weapon with a special property
Blood Potency is 3 or less they duration from one century to
determined by the Storyteller.
awaken immediately. Cainites one month. Since a month has
For example, a re ax anointed
with a Blood Potency of 4 or already passed, Passy awakens
with the blood of a Gangrel
higher instead have the length with a Hunger of 4 soon aer
methuselah might disrupt the
of their Torpor retroactively being placed in the blood bath.
shape shiing powers of any su -
shortened. For each Pack present pernatural being it strikes, while
when this Ritae is invoked, the a sword bathed in the blood of
Cainite in Torpor treats their a Ventrue elder might inict
68
THE BLACK HAND
wounds that bleed liuid silver, this weapon he adds a toal the focus of this Ritae, a Cainite
or a bat encrusted with the teeth of +4 damage to his margin of can remove one of their Disci -
of a Giovanni might cause Ag - success and all of the damage pline powers or Amalgams and
gravated wounds when it strikes inlicted is Aravated. replace it with a dierent power
a restless spirit or zombie. of the same level. ey can also
Weapons created through learn an Amalgam power as if
this Ritae usually retain their it was a power of the second-
enchantment until the end of ary Discipline reuired for the
Story, but each additional Pack Labyrinth Rune Amalgam. If any of these chang-
present at the Ritae increases is strange Ritae attempts es cause them to have a duplicat-
this duration by one Session to open the mind's eye of the ed power, they replace one of the
although a Pack can never have Cainites involved so that they duplicated powers with a power
more than one of these weapons perceive beyond their base sens- of the same Discipline and level.
at a time. Unless this Ritae is es. Vampires are oen trapped is Ritae could potentially
performed with 3 or more Packs within the connes of their be used to help a Cainite uickly
present, any weapon created mortal minds long aer they die change Paths or even heal deep
shatters aer it rst strikes a and it can be dicult for them psychological trauma. ose
vampire with a Blood Potency of to expand and grow beyond the potentialities are le to the
5 or higher. Also, if this weapon limited perspectives of their Storyteller's discretion and the
is ever exposed to sunlight or breathing days. e Ritae of needs of your story, but delving
used to kill a mortal it immedi- the Labyrinth Rune explores into the psyche of another vam-
ately loses its enchantment. the branching paths of innite pire could also awaken unknown
possibilities and can even be dangers.
used to explore the inner world
,
of a Cainite's mind if they have a
0 None, as weapon Priest willing to take the risk.
EXAMPLE:
1-2 +0, damage is
System: e Labyrinth Rune Buzzsaw has the Conceal
Aravated
Ritae solves riddles and unlocks Amalgam, a level 4 Obfuscate
3-4 +1, damage is secrets. It allows a Pack to see power that requires the sec-
Aravated things in unexpected and novel ondary Discipline of Auspex
5+ +2, damage is ways. When used this way the 3. e y enter the Riae of the
Aravated player of the ociating Priest Labyrinth Rune guided by their
asks a number of uestions of Priest and replace their Level
the Storyteller eual to the 3 Auspex power with Conceal.
number of Packs present at the Buzzsaw now has the Conceal
EXAMPLE: Ritae. ese uestions must be power twice as a level 3 Auspex
Sis carries a baseball bat connected to an item or person power and a level 4 Obfuscate
studded with the angs and present at the Ritae. power. To rectify this situation
teeth of a Malkavian elder and is Ritae can also be used they decide to replace the level 4
enchanted with the Riae of the to guide a Cainite through the Obfuscate power Conceal with
Enochian Spear. is is a Heavy labyrinth of their own mind the Level 4 Obfuscate power
Impact weapon with a base +2 and psyche. is can help them Vanish.
damage value. When Sis hits a access untapped potential or
Blood Potency 5 vampire with reinvent themselves. Aer being
69
e Riae
Saturnine Sign Sepulchre Key Sigil Inscribed
rough esoteric geometry and is Ritae allows a Diablerist to e Sabbat understands that
specially craed implements, a fully explore a victim's memo - as they hunt the Antediluvi -
Pack can guard their haven or ries aer devouring them. Some ans, so do their pawns seek to
ritual space from the intrusion hope to glimpse the face of an destroy and divide them. e
by the ancients, or perhaps even Antediluvian, but so far no one Black Hand is always seeking
trap a sleeping elder in their has come forward with such a new ways to ambush their prey
own tomb. One of the earliest claim. Others use this Ritae to and they greatly value deception
of the Numinous Ritae, the Sat- discover the resting places of and indirect methods to victory.
urnine Sign is upheld by Sabbat elders or discern the weakness of is Ritae inscribes the Pack
Noddists as proof of Caine's a local Emir. e Sepulchre Key with a magical sigil, brand, or
favor. ey build their father's is one of the rarest of the Numi- tattoo that supposedly obscures
house on the suare and level. A nous Ritae. It's not uncommon their true names or somehow
new Enoch free of the tyranny of for a Pack to capture an enemy clouds the senses of the ancients.
the ancients, where mortal and elder to bring before a Priest While its origins are unknown,
vampire know their place before or Bishop that can guide them the Ritae bears similarities to
the throne of Caine. through this ritual. Banu Haqim and Ministry blood
magic. At least one Toreador
System: is Ritae creates an System: Aer committing Dia- Antitribu Reaper claims the
area that magically excludes blerie, the Diablerist and their sigil is their design.
Cainites similar to a Warding Pack can use this Numinous Ri-
Circle (see V5 Corebook pg. 275). tae to share a communal dream System: For the rest of the
e Saturnine Sign wards one journey through the victim's Story the Pack becomes oc-
structure no bier than a ca - memories. is is similar to a culted against supernatural
thedral for the rest of the Story. Memoriam (see V5 Corebook powers attempting to remotely
If 3 or more Packs are involved pg. 311) but the memories being discern their identity, location
in its creation, the Ritae lasts a explored belong to the Diablerie or potential future actions. All
year and a day instead. Cainites victim. Everyone in the Pack such powers have their Dicul -
who currently have a Vinculum who participates in the Ritae ty increased by +2. is doesn't
blood bond or who have recently enters a torpor-like state for the protect Packmates against direct
participated in a Vaulderie can Scene while they share this expe - detection, such as having an
come and go from the warded rience. ey must have some Obfuscate power pierced by an
structure without any issue. understanding of which of their Auspex power, but it does pro -
Cainite's without a Vincu - victim's memories they wish to tect against powers and rituals
lum Blood Bond must roll their explore. is may reuire ob - such as Blood Walk, Clairvoy -
Willpower vs a Diculty eual taining a memento, kidnapping ance, Illuminate the Trail of
to their Blood Potency rating to a Touchstone or interrogating Prey, Premonition, Telepathy
enter or leave the warded build- their victim beforehand. e and Truth of Blood. Powers that
ing. If a trespasser fails they Diablerist usually takes on the rely on others to gather informa -
take three points of Supercial role of the victim in these stolen tion such as Animalism or ma -
Health damage (three points of Memoriams and their Pack nipulate the Pack into betraying
Aravated damage on a bestial either accompany them as a half themselves such as Presence, are
failure) and cannot enter. e seen chorus of shadows or by unimpaired by this Ritae.
trespasser can spend a point of taking on the roles of Memoriam
Willpower to try again. NPCs.
70
THE BLACK HAND
Starlit Blood for is not a thing they do without fully perform this Ritae. While
Ancient Stones cause or caution, but there is these sites can be eventually re-
Places of power have attracted nothing they would not risk to habilitated, most are abandoned
Cainites and other creatures stand in the footsteps of the and never recover aer they are
of the night since time imme - Antediluvians. If spilling dead spiked by this Ritae.
morial. Even the Land of Nod blood and deling sacred places Places of power that were
had it's secret places shaped by is the only way to reveal the true signicant to an Antediluvian or
neither Caine nor Lilith. Perhaps face of their false fathers, then it other ancient vampire also have
these are the places where god's is a risk they must take on. a chance to reveal a weakness or
ngertips touched our world, or secret related to their vampiric
the forgotten and half-formed System: e Sabbat gathers blood line or even mortal life.
husks of some previous creation. at a site of power and spills e ancients oen guard these
Whatever the truth, these sites their blood at its heart. When places of power or keep tabs on
have had many names over the performed with enough Cain- them through their pawns both
centuries and more than one ites present the mystical energy mortal and supernatural. If they
ancient vampire has had reason is disrupted and destroyed for are somehow connected to their
to make pilgrimage to them. at least the rest of the Story. Gehenna schemes, the Black
e Sabbat has never been While the Storyteller is the nal Hand has yet to understand how.
able to make much use of these, arbiter, usually only the weakest
but through the power of this places of power can be disrupted
Numinous Ritae they have dis - by a lone Pack. Sites that attract
covered how to sour the magic other supernatural entities such
that pulses within them. is as lupines or mages oen reuire
at least 3 or 4 Packs to success -
71
Blood Feast
72
THE BLACK HAND
Chapter Three:
BLOOD FEAST
e Deluge wasn’t a wave, was it? It was blind men with axes; it was the great on their knees being not
to die at the hands of idiots; it was the itch of the irrational grown to an epidemic.
— CLIVE BAR KER, THE DAMNATION GAME
In the service to Caine’s sword I record this account of my
own eyes. I pray our Dark Mother’s silent wings carry these words
to you unaltered and undamaged brothers and sisters. I was there
when the traitors were trampled and the veiled walls of the moun-
ain were parted for us. e cost was almost more than we could
bear, but our chalice-formed bonds held. Over the course of seven
nights these so-called judges spilled an ocean of our blood and
found our aith undiminished. I was there covered in the ashes of
many allen sisters and in the end justice was OURS to carve ou.
I was there when we asted victory.
For years we had torn secrets from hearts long buried. Scratch-
ing in the hidden corners of the Earth, we unearthed elders from
Kyiv to Cincinnati. e devoured ancients who had built this very
ciadel whispered in our blood as we strode among the outer walls
as conquerors. We were not the Camarilla. ere would be no alse
73
Blood Feast
compromise or blood curse this time. Our old allies had shown
their true colors and not all of their betrayed brethren led to the
Tower. Some still stood in our ranks. Caine’s avenging angels. Our
silent karubiyyin come home to burn that which was once most
holy to them.
Alamu. Hidden fortress of blood mages and assassins.
ere were no more secrets to shield them. No rock le unturned.
No tree le unburn. e land bent to our will and had given
them up. e emptied villages and daylight ambushes all ended
here. We were the lood this time. We crested the mounaintop and
smashed against the unworthy. Only the last holdouts remained.
Slaves to an unspeakable and ageless sorcerer at the stronghold’s
hear. Of their number came one to challenge our champions
before the splintered gates. at his blood was ancient there could
be no doub. Young Devourers swarmed him in droves and armed
only with a broken sword he soon stood upon a pile of their rent
corpses. e old man quietly recited his frighteningly brief lineage
and the eye-shaped wound carved upon his brow bled as he called
out his challenge once again.
For a brief moment we stood in silence. It was not oen that we
fought against an elder with true conviction. Despite the rumored
power of the Beckoning, they were few on the ield. We gathered
together to meet the old man. To at once marvel and sco at the
rarity of such a thing. But our reverence was short lived as we
poured the last of our unspent rage upon him. Consumed by frenzy
I did not see who landed the killing blow as his corpse was lung
o the heights and shattered on the rocks below. ough many
hungered for his heart’s blood, the Seraphim agreed that none
74
THE BLACK HAND
should have i, as all that remained of the old man was le for the
sun.
Triumphantly we entered. is impenetrable stone ark that had
survived lood, war and countless moral ages would not survive
us.
I was there when we asted victory, and my hope was rekindled. I
felt the eyes of the Antediluvians upon me, brothers and sisters.
ere was fear, but I was unafraid.
ere was fear, but it was not mine.
Praise Caine!
By the Dark Father’s blood we are reborn!
And by the Dark Mother’s gis our chains will never be reforged!
—AUDIO TESTIMONY OF AMIRA ALNABIGH, SERAPHIM OF THE STRIGINE HOST
75
Disciplines
DISCIPLINES
Animalism is wounded, their blood calls to you as visible
lines of crimson in the air, making it impos -
Pickles was a good boy and everyone was sad to see him
sible for them to mask their scent with water
go. Ever since the pack found him nesting in the walls of
or irritants. Smelling blood on the wind even
their lop house in LA, his pinched ace had burrowed
allows you to determine its Resonance or other
into their hearts quicker than a warlock's sake. He loved
peculiarities with a Wits + Animalism roll at
garbage, but he also never turned down blood when it
Diculty 2. At the storyteller's discretion this
was on oer. When the hunters came for them, that pos-
last ability can be used on unwounded mortals
sum didn't linch. He sacriiced himself in Caine's service
within arm's reach of the vampire.
and that's the mark of a true Sabba.
■ Duration: Passive
Nickname: Abel's Cra, Howling, Rat King Shit,
Shepherd's Favor, e Chitters Level 2
Speaking to the Beast within is something all
Sabbat must accept. Progressing on a Path of
■ Amalgam: Blood Sorcery 1
Elightenment demands the Beast is given its due.
Many powers of Animalism aid in this endeavour.
You can awaken the dormant diseases and
e practicalities of having guard dogs and other
infections in your dead blood, passing the conta -
animals watch your back during the day make this
gion on to your pets. Sabbat oen use this power
a Discipline many Sabbat are glad to have within
to uietly clear out any suatters from a potential
their bag of tricks.
haven or safe house.
Level 1 ■ Cost: One Rouse Check
■ System: Aer activating this power you pour
your blood out for your unwitting animal serv-
ants. Vermin, insects and other lower beasts are
Your bestial instincts grow stronger with your
drawn to the pool of blood and those that feed
blood thirst. You can harry wounded prey for miles
from it become virulent disease carriers. ese
and when you taste blood, there is no escape.
beasts usually succumb to the disease in their
■ Cost: Free system by the end of the week unless the vam-
■ System: When tracking prey add a bonus eual pire replenishes the blood pool before the week
to your Hunger. Aer tasting someone's blood, ends. Unless special preparations are made,
living or undead, you can track them unerr- usually nothing larger than a rat or pigeon can
ingly for the rest of the Scene. If your uarry be infected by the blood pool. ese infected
76
THE BLACK HAND
creatures will not travel more than a block away
from the blood pool aer becoming addicted ■ Cost: One Rouse Check
to it, but they will continue to scavenge for ■ Dice Pools: Charisma + Animalism
food and seek out mortals to infect within their ■ System: For every success rolled one Weak
territory. Mortals who come into direct contact Mortal (see V5 Corebook pg. 185) within your
with these diseased creatures or the pool of immediate vicinity succumbs to a psychotic
blood develop an acute viral infection within a break as they are unable to hold back the
few hours. Common symptoms include fever, violent urges of your Beast. On a critical win
headache, chills, fatigue, swollen glands, and this power eects the same number of animals
painful pus-lled buboes. ese symptoms or Average Mortals. You cannot target specic
inict a -2 die penalty on an infected mortals mortals with this ability and vampires, ghouls
die pools until the power expires and Weak and other supernatural creatures are immune to
Mortals (see V5 Corebook pg. 185) die within 24 this power. Mortals and animals eected by this
hours without medical aid. Vampires slake one power should be treated as having succumbed
less Hunger from any animal or mortal infected to Rage Frenzy, though they gain none of the
by this power unless they have the Iron Gullet mechanical advantages of that state. ey will
Merit or a similar ability. oen lash out at those closest to them or seek to
■ Duration: One Week harm themselves with whatever object is clos -
est at hand. If subdued, isolated, or distracted
these mortals uickly regain their composure if
Level 3 the vampire who used this power is no longer
present.
■ Duration: One Scene
■ Amalgam: Presence 1
You can project your Beast's urges on to the
mortals around you, assaulting them with its de -
praved desires and hunger for blood and violence.
e weak willed and unstable oen crack under
this sudden barrage of animalistic and intrusive
thoughts.
77
Disciplines
Auspex 6. With a successful roll the item or environ -
eir Pack haven was burnt to the ground and they ment reverts to its state before it was destroyed
hadn't heard a thing from the Razor orns for over for the rest of the Scene. is restoration is
a week. Eric opened his third eye and picked his way illusory in nature, but it could allow a book to
through the shattered building as the rest of his Pack be partially copied or a puzzle to be deciphered
stood guard on the stree. He peeled back the layers as before the object reverts to its destroyed condi -
charred lumber reformed into solid walls in his mind's tion. A destroyed room could be investigated by
eye. "Second ink" he whispered to himself as the front the vampire's Pack, though nothing recreated by
door was blown o its hinges by black-clad commandos. the illusion could be carried away or retained
He was an eyewitness to a week old invasion. once the illusion ended.
■ Duration: One Scene
Nickname: Bloodshots, Dream Sight, Mind Rakers,
e Vision, XRay Spex
e Sabbat understands that information is the ■ Prerequisite: Unseen Sense
key to winning the Gehenna War. Stealing secrets
and cleaving truth from lies is the Black Hand's You see into the dreams and recent memories of
bread and butter. Few powers are more useful in others and can detect if they’ve been manipulated.
that regard than Auspex. e Vision not only lets
the Sabbat steal thoughts and dreams from their ■ Cost: One Rouse Check (plus one Willpower vs
enemies, but see into the past itself or predict their non-consenting vampires)
enemy's next moves. Artifacts or secrets thought ■ Dice Pools: None or Wits + Auspex vs Compo -
destroyed can be reconstructed with the careful sure + Subterfuge
use of this indispensable power. ■ System: e vampire can see the dreams of a
sleeping vampire or mortal without having to
make a roll, though line of sight is reuired.
Level 2 To glimpse the recent dreams or memories of
an awake mortal within line of sight, roll Wits
+ Auspex vs their Composure + Subterfuge.
Success allows the vampire to see the dreams
■ Amalgam: Obfuscate 1 and recent memories in their mind’s eye and
to know if any have been modied, though not
You can restore an item or environment to a the details of the changes. At the Storyteller’s
previous state of being through illusion and the discretion a critical success not only reveals the
use of your second sight. A rebombed room, a details of the changes made, but could reveal
defaced piece of art, or a book with pages torn out the identity of the culprit making the changes
can all be briey reconstructed with this power. if they le any evidence behind in the victim’s
dreams or memories. To see the dreams or
■ Cost: One Rouse Check recent memories of a non-consenting awake
■ Dice Pools: Intelligence + Auspex vampire, spend one Willpower point before
■ System: Make an Intelligence + Auspex roll rolling. is power does not allow for tel -
versus a Diculty dependent on how much of epathic communication, the reading of surface
the original object or environment remains. A thoughts, or the probing of memories older
slashed painting would be Diculty 2, while a than a few nights.
book burnt to ashes would be at least Diculty ■ Duration: One Scene
78
THE BLACK HAND
Level 3 '
■ Amalgam: Dominate 2
You can steal memories from your victims,
■ Amalgam: Obfuscate 1 leaving behind raed gaps in their recollections.
ese memories now become your own, although
Your supernatural senses are sharply attuned to they can sometimes reuire deciphering or further
detecting hidden patterns and false leads. study to fully understand.
■ Cost: Free or One Rouse Check ■ Cost: One Rouse Check
■ Dice Pools: Wits + Auspex ■ Dice Pools: Manipulation + Auspex vs Intelli-
■ System: When confronted with a scene or en - gence + Resolve
vironment that has been 'staged', 'cleaned up' or ■ System: Roll a contest of Manipulation +
'doctored' through the use of supernatural pow- Auspex vs Intelligence + Resolve. Each point
ers or more mundane methods of concealment, of margin allows the user to remove an ad -
you can roll Wits + Auspex to ascertain the ditional memory. e victim is le with lost
motives and methods behind the cover up. e time and empty gaps in their memory. A criti -
Diculty of this roll is usually 6, but enough cal win leaves the victim unsure of who stole
corroborating evidence can lower it to a 4 or 5 their memories. e vampire using this power
at the Storyteller's discretion. is power also now experiences these memories as their own,
allows a vampire to see hidden patterns, solve although they impart no special skills or train -
cryptic puzzles, and partially understand lost ing on their own they could form the basis for
languages. ough using Eyes of Chaos in this learning new skills or even Disciplines in the
way reuires a Rouse check. future. is power gives no ability to search
■ Duration: Passive through a victim's memories and a vampire
using it oen steals memories surrounding
an event or person known to the user and the
victim.
EXAMPLE: ■ Duration: Indenitely
Abraham Tillinghast's secret haven has been ran-
sacked and his avorite ghoul murdered. Shotgun
shells and cruciixes litter the loor, pointing to
hunters as the obvious culprits. Using Eyes of EXAMPLE:
Chaos, Abe insantly realizes that there is more to Abraham has cornered a young Anarch and recog-
the matter than a brual home invasion by human nizes their cut as belonging to a local biker gang run
zealots. Abe checks his ghoul and discovers he was by an old rival. Abe uses Lethe's Kindness to steal
ritually tortured before being shot to pieces. is memories from this young Lick, but not knowing
lowers the Dificulty of Abe's Wits + Auspex roll to much about her he rips out any memory he can ind
4. Abe succeeds in his roll and undersands that he concerning the biker gang and his old rival. Abe
has been betrayed by his moral Bahari allies, who rolls his Manipulation + Auspex versus the Anarch's
ransacked his haven in search of his portion of the Intelligence + Resolve. He only scores one margin of
Erciyes Fragments and hoped to frame the Second success, but the Storyteller determines he gains a
Inquistion. partial memory of the Anarch's Embrace night since
her Sire is Abe's rival.
79
Disciplines
Dominate Level 4
ough he was bound and blindfolded, Eric knew they
wouldn’t be able to resist once they smelled his blood in
the air. e Bane of his Halwaneen lineage coming to his
aid for once, though his captors would soon regret trying ■ Prerequisite: Dementation
to ake advanage of this "sweet one." When he heard the
amiliar sounds of tongues lapping up spilled blood Eric is advanced form of Dementation allows
silently forced his will upon their minds. “Release me” he a Cainite to erode the rational thoughts of large
commanded and with his blood still on their teeth, they groups; scratching away at their self-composure
obeyed. with undermining uips, nebulous jargon, and long
plodding tales without end.
Nickname: Just do it, Please and thank you, e
Stare, Ventrue Cheat Codes ■ Cost: Two Rouse Checks
■ Dice Pools: Manipulation + Dominate vs Com -
Dominate is one of the most common gis of posure + Intelligence
Caine and the Sabbat understand it as yet more ■ System: Aer engaging in conversation with a
proof of their right to rule over all mortals. While group of victims, the vampire can activate this
other vampires rely on this Discipline for its power. For the duration of the Scene, the vam-
subtlety and surgical precision, the Black Hand pire may attack as many mortals or vampires
prefers to use its more brutal permutations. Sabbat that can hear their voice. Each turn the user
break victims with forced atrocities and carved out makes a Manipulation + Dominate vs Compo -
memories for no purpose but their own cruelty. sure + Intelligence conict against the strong -
est opponent in the group, causing Supercial
damage to Willpower. A mortal who becomes
Level 2 Impaired by this power experiences a nervous
breakdown or psychotic break, the nature of
which depends on their personality. A vampire
that becomes Impaired by this power must im -
■ Amalgam: Presence 1 mediately succumb to a Compulsion, as chosen
by the power’s user. is power cannot be used
Your blood carries the power of your will, re - over electronic devices or through recorded
gardless of how long it has been outside your body. media.
■ Duration: One Scene
■ Cost: As Dominate power used
■ Dice Pools: As Dominate power used
■ System: When someone tastes your blood, you
may immediately use one of your Dominate
powers on them without having to make eye
contact or issue a verbal command. You must
pay the cost and roll any dice pools as is normal
with the power. While the blood doesn't have
to be taken directly from your veins, this power
cannot be called upon if it is mixed with the
blood of others as in the Vaulderie chalice.
■ Duration: Passive
80
THE BLACK HAND
Fortitude by their individual powers of Fortitude and
halved as normal. Supercial Health damage
e Pack rounded the corner with the hunters not ar that is not normally halved, such as the damage
behind, but they all stopped short at the armored truck inicted by Feral Weapons, retains this ual -
bearing down on them. Muzzle lashes from its mounted ity when it is transferred. Lastly, the vampire
chain gun lit up the stree. Sis threw himself into the granting this protection can rescind their gi
brunt of the ire and the 25mm rounds chewed through as a Minor Action (see V5 Corebook pg. 298)
him, shredding dead lesh and biker leather alike. e and the drinker will instantly be aware they are
Pack Priest stood his ground despite the hail of bullets as no longer protected. is power cannot be used
he reassured his Pack by yelling “Tanks ain’t shit!” over on a Cainite already under its eects, as either
the sound of the relentless barrage. target or user. A vampire can only create one
sympathetic Bond with this power at a time.
Nickname: Gargoyle abs, Rocco's cookies, Stone - ■ Duration: One night; for vampires, until the
skin, Sunproong next feeding or the drinker reaches Hunger 5.
e powers of Fortitude are highly prized by Sab -
bat vampires, especially among the Cathari and no -
madic Packs. Tempting fate with re and sunlight '
is a common focus of Sabbat Ritae and Fortitude ■ Amalgam: Celerity 2
can give a Cainite both the physical and moral edge
to survive and thrive. rough a mixture of speed, toughness, and
good positioning you redirect an incoming blow at
a nearby enemy.
Level 4
■ Cost: One Rouse Check
' ■ Dice Pools: None or Wits + Survival
■ Prerequisite: Resilience ■ System: e vampire can activate this power
once per Scene as a reaction to an incoming
You can safeguard your allies from harm, allow- melee or ranged attack that they can perceive.
ing you to take on some of their injuries through a e attack deals half of its Health damage
sympathetic link of shared blood. (round up) to the vampire using this power and
the full Health damage is applied to another
■ Cost: One Rouse Check target within close range of the vampire. e
■ System: Drinking a Rouse Check's worth of vampire using this power chooses the victim of
Blood directly from the vampire creates a the deected damage, but may have to roll Wits
sympathetic link with the drinker. As long + Survival to hit them if their intended victim
as this link exists the drinker transfers half is not the closest eligible target or if they have
(round down) of all Supercial Health dam- powers such as Celerity that might allow them
age they sustain to the user of this power if to dodge the redirected blow. At the Storytell -
they are within 50 meters of each other. is er's discretion bullets and other high speed pro -
damage transfer occurs before the Supercial jectiles can be redirected at target's farther away
Health damage is normally halved and before but with a more limited arc of re, perhaps only
any powers of Fortitude can be used to mitigate allowing the vampire to target victims that are
the damage. Once the damage has been split in the attack's potential backstop.
between the linked comrades, it can be reduced ■ Duration: One reaction
81
Disciplines
Obfuscate Level 2
e moral before her didn’t realize i, but Fatima had
met her the night before. While she slept the Bahari
Cainite had plucked a pleasant ace from one of her half
remembered dreams. Now she wore that ace, woven of ■ Amalgam: Presence 1
shadows and the power of Lilith's blood to pull her into
her conidence. is moral held secrets that couldn’t be e vampire can mentally enter the dream of a
risked with rough handling. mortal while feeding on them or invite others with
whom they have shared blood to enter their own
Nickname: Dream Craing, Ghosting, Ninja Pow- dreams during their day sleep.
der, Nossie Bullshit
■ Cost: None or One Rouse Check during the day
Obfuscate is the power of invisibility, illusion, and ■ Dice Pools: None
dream craing. To fool mortal senses and present ■ System: e vampire can briey enter a mor-
them with what they wish to see instead of the cold tal's dream while feeding on them. is allows
reality they've come to dread. For some Sabbat, them the ability to communicate with the
Obfuscate is not only the power of ambush but a mortal covertly and to experience their current
link to the lost Land of Nod itself. dream as a direct bystander. Most mortals will
have no memory of the intrusion or what se-
crets they may have revealed unless the vampire
Level 1 goes out of their way to make an impression
during the dream. Some vampires even use this
power to hide messages in the dreams of their
A vampire can hide an object or weapon on their vessels. Alternatively, the vampire can build a
person without fear of it being seen or detected. dream of their own during their day sleep. is
Katanas and shotguns can be carted around with - dream usually takes the form of a ruin along a
out need of a '90s era trench coat. stagnant river and they may invite any vam-
pire with whom they have shared blood to join
■ Cost: None them there. If they accept, the invited vampire
■ System: An object no larger than a rie, appears along the river bank and can communi -
briefcase, or canopic jar can be hidden from cate and even share any dreams they’ve collect-
sight as long as it never leaves your possession. ed. While in a dream the vampire cannot use
Only if an observer has their attention drawn any other powers or harm others in the dream.
to the object can they make a detection roll. ■ Duration: One Scene
Auspex powers such as Sense the Unseen can
also detect the hidden object, as per the normal
Obfuscate rules. e vampire cannot use this Level 3
power to make an object vanish while it is be-
ing actively observed. is power doesn't mask
the object from electronic detection unless the ■ Amalgam: Dominate 1
vampire also has the power Ghost in the Ma-
chine (Obfuscate 3). You can plant false trails and mislead anyone
■ Duration: One Scene or until detected attempting to follow you or spy on your location.
82
THE BLACK HAND
■ Cost: None nasty nightmare. e creature can also have
■ Dice Pools: Manipulation + Obfuscate vs Re - special abilities such as ight, wall crawling, or
solve + Investigation even venom depending on the mortal’s night-
■ System: Whenever anyone attempts to shadow mares. Only one such creature can serve at a
you, they must rst succeed on a Resolve + time but the longer such a monster exists the
Investigation roll contested by your Manipula - more willful and disobedient it becomes.
tion + Obfuscate. If they fail this roll not only ■ Duration: Permanent as long as the nightmare
are you immediately aware of the attempt to creature is fed vampire blood on a weekly basis.
follow you, but your pursuer also becomes lost If it is not fed the creature fades from existence
and unable to track you. Your margin of success unless it can nd a new source of blood. Usually
determines how lost they become in pursuit of each success on the activation roll is a week of
you. If you achieve a Critical Win on this roll loyal service, but maltreatment or hard tasks
you can even choose to lead them into harms may shorten the duration of loyalty as deter-
way or to a location of your choosing at the mined by the Storyteller.
Storyteller's discretion. e same also applies
to any attempt to magically scry your location,
though instead of becoming lost your pursuer is
instead shown false or misleading clues to your
whereabouts.
■ Duration: Passive
Level 4
LIVING NIGHTMARES
Nightmares conjured with undead blood take many
■ Amalgam: Presence 2 forms but the most common are bestial hybrids of
man and myth. Snake-headed bogeymen and amor-
is power allows a vampire to draw forth a phous tentacled clouds of darkness have all been
living nightmare from a sleeping mortal to do their summoned forth from troubled mortal psyches.
bidding. e creature takes the form of something While their abilities can dier, they commonly have
stolen from a victim’s dream, but is craed out of the Obfuscate powers of Unseen Presence, Cloak
the vampire’s blood. of Shadows, and Ghost in the Machine; the Auspex
power Sense the Unseen and the Protean powers of
■ Cost: Two Rouse Checks Weight of the Feather and Feral Weapons.
■ Dice Pools: Intelligence + Obfuscate General Diculty: 3/3
■ System: e successes rolled determine how Standard Dice Pools: Physical 6, Social 2, Mental 4
much control the vampire initially has over the Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 5
creature. e monster and its creator share a Exceptional Dice Pools: Brawl 8, Intimidation 6,
sympathetic link and they can communicate Stealth 6, Disciplines 6
simple ideas without need of words or line of Disciplines: Auspex 1, Obfuscate 3, Protean 2
sight when they are near each other. Depend- Notes: All attacks have a damage value of +2 and in-
ing on their exact form, these creatures attack ict Aggravated Health damage against mortals. The
with claws and tentacles. e creature is usually health damage it inicts against vampires is Super-
the size of a large dog, but can be as large as a cial but is not halved.
compact car if the vampire nds a particularly
83
Disciplines
Potence Level 4
Sis smashed through the wall and laid out a handful of
Setites without even paying attention. eir ghouls took
the worst of it and parts of them lew all over the club.
Dancers and bar patrons sarted screaming and rushed ■ Prerequisite: Soaring Leap
the exits before the gore on the walls even had time to
sart cooling. e Pack sarted howling for more as their You move with sudden speed and smash
Priest wrenched a stripper pole out of the loor with one through anything in your way with a force that
hand, while nudging his sunglasses back on to the bridge knocks down walls and cripples the weak.
of his nose with the other. His sly grin told them all they
needed to know. is was going to get messy. ■ Cost: Two Rouse Checks
■ System: Once per Scene you can smash through
Nickname: Blood Rage, Door Busters, Car Tossing, anything in your path, moving up to the same
Hulk Hands, e Splatters distance as your Soaring Leap. Everyone within
one meter of your path must make a Dexterity
Albigensians and Uniers are drawn to the power + Athletics roll (Diculty 2), with results below.
of Potence as it allows them to clearly demonstrate ose prepared for the shock (such as your
their supernatural might or silence any challenges Pack) can shi their results up by one step.
❑ Critical Win: No eect.
to their power with a brutal show of force. ese
❑ Win: Lose action.
Cainites prefer powers that shock their rivals into
❑ Failure: Lose action; Take Supercial Health
submission, while most other Sabbat learn Po -
tence's more lethal powers to eliminate their foes damage eual to the user's Potence.
as uickly as possible. One thing all members of You smash through walls and obstacles as if you
the Black Hand seem to agree on is that Potence is had a Strength of 12 (see V5 Corebook pg. 409).
great when you want things to get loud. Potence powers such as Lethal Body can augment
the damage type caused, but not your Strength
or damage rating. While in use you're immune to
mundane collision or falling damage. If you hit an
object you cannot overturn, your movement ends.
■ Duration: One use
84
THE BLACK HAND
Presence
e fucking cops were everywhere and most of the
Pack was still too messed up from escaping the burning
Chantry. While the rest of the clique made a bee line for
the storm drains, Sis would give the basards someone
to shoot a. He launched himself at the nearest patrol
car with his angs bared and planted his ist through its
hood. "You want me?!? Come and get something to cry
about pigs!"
Nickname: Flashing the Brights, Hitcher Trix,
Look-at-me, Star Power
Since the Sabbat has little care for subtle politics,
mortal niceties, and social subterfuge, Presence is
not a highly regarded power in their ranks. Bahari
oen use it in their rituals to awe cultists and cow
mortal pawns, while Albigensians nd it a use -
ful tool for manipulating the blood Resonances of
mortals before a feast.
Level 2
’
You can call to a nearby victim with your thirst.
Your desire becomes a subliminal siren's call that
can draw the unwary down dangerous paths and
into your waiting arms. You use your powers of Presence to magnify the
threat you pose to your enemies. Taunting them to
take a shot at you before you crush them beneath
■ Cost: None or One Rouse Check your boots.
■ Dice Pools: Manipulation + Presence vs Compo -
sure + Resolve
■ System: You summon a victim within 50 meters ■ Cost: Free
to your current location. If you cannot see ■ System: All nearby enemies immediately
your victim this power reuires a Rouse check. become aware of you. For the rest of the Scene
Mortals normally succumb to this power with - they must make a Resolve + Composure roll at
out a roll but paranoid, wary, or particularly Diculty 3 to target anyone else with an attack
alert mortals may attempt to resist your call. or power. If you display your vampiric nature
A victim can only be targeted by this power when initially activating this power, all nearby
once per Scene and they are drawn to you by an mortal enemies also gain a -2 penalty on their
inexplicable urge, almost as if following a barely attack rolls for one round. You cannot use Bring
perceptible melody or scent. it On and Daunt simultaneously.
■ Duration: One Scene ■ Duration: One Scene
85
Disciplines
Protean camouage and fog. is power does not give
Darva stood back from her handiwork with a praise ex- the vampire the ability to automatically detect
pecting grin, her Packmate looked up at her big unblink- those who are supernaturally hidden, but if
ing eyes with confusion. "Do you have a mirror or some they do have a power such as Auspex's Unseen
shit?" Darva looked surprised, like the thought hadn't Sense they receive a +2 die bonus on any rolls
even occurred to her. "Oh. Fuck. Gimme a sec." She slid to defeat or detect supernatural powers that
o the bed's Hello Kitty duvet cover and dug around in hide or obscure the presence of another, such as
a few bags before upending a collection of makeup and Obfuscate's Cloak of Shadows.
mirrors on to the loor. "I forgot I even had these." Darva ■ Duration: Passive
grabbed a pink hand mirror and angled it so Sis could
see his brand new ace. "New year, new you" she said as
she lashed a pīsu sain at him with her le hand.
■ Amalgam: Dominate 1
Nickname: Face Swapping, Fleshcra, Morphin,
Vicissitude, Wolf Skin You steal the identity of your victims and can
disguise yourself to get close to their loved ones.
Protean is a popular power among the Black Hand Even aer the taste of their blood fades, you can
since so many of them travel in nomadic packs and recall their face or voice with a memento.
must brave the wilds. Since Gangrel and Tzimisce
are fairly common among the Sabbat, the Vaulderie ■ Cost: Free or One Rouse Check
and other blood sharing rites assure that almost ■ System: Once per Session, aer killing some-
all Sabbat have at least a passing knowledge of this one by feeding on them you can take on their
shape shiing power. appearance or voice. Your esh instantly shis
to mimic them once the last of their blood ebbs
away. is transformation lasts until your next
Level 1 feeding or until your Hunger reaches 5. If you
ever wish to impersonate them again, you must
make a Rouse Check while holding a memento
e vampire can feel and sense their surroundings taken from them soon aer their death. is
without the need of their mortal senses. rough power does not mimic clothing, only esh, and
the subtle growth of eyestalks, strange sensory or - your victim's voice and body cannot be adopted
gans and feelers they can see in darkness, blinding at the same time. While this disguise is convinc-
light, or even past physical obstructions. ing it is also fragile. Taking damage, strenuous
activity, or even a long dialogue could see it
melt or tear away at the storyteller's discretion.
■ Cost: Free ■ Duration: Passive
■ System: is power allows a vampire to see,
feel, hear and smell their immediate surround -
ings with great precision. ey can even detect Level 2
heat signatures, faint scents, subsonic sounds,
and changes in air pressure. e vampire is
immune to any powers or environments that ■ Amalgam: Dominate 1
deny them the use of any of their senses. Within
10 meters their senses can even see past ob - You ay and pull the esh o of your victims by
stacles and natural concealment such as walls, the handful. is brutal and crude use of eshcra
86
THE BLACK HAND
is disdained by more civilized Tzimisce, but the Level 3
Sabbat revel in the shock and splatter.
■ Cost: One Rouse Check
■ System: For the rest of the Scene your un- ■ Prerequisite: Flense
armed attacks gain a +2 damage modier and
Supercial health damage inicted by your You call to your enemy's esh from afar, com -
unarmed attacks are not halved while Flense is manding their body to unravel. Your voice strips
active. When you score a Critical Win against a the meat from the bones of those you curse and
victim while attacking with this power you may raed ribbons of viscera tear free from your vic-
inict the Blinded or Broken Limb Crippling tim as if yanked by invisible hooks.
Injury (see V5 Corebook pg. 303) on them. If
the victim already has the Broken Limb injury, ■ Cost: One Rouse Check
you may give them the Crippled injury instead. ■ Dice Pools: Intelligence + Protean vs Stamina +
Mortals are oen le with gruesome scars even Composure or Fortitude
aer they heal the damage from these wounds. ■ System: e vampire rolls a contest of Intel -
■ Duration: One Scene ligence + Protean vs Stamina + Composure.
(Vampires with Fortitude may resist with
Stamina + Fortitude.). If the user wins, this
power does the margin in Aravated Health
damage to mortals and in non-halved Super-
cial Health damage to vampires. A mortal who
takes at least one point of damage is Crippled
(see V5 Corebook pg. 303) and collapses un-
conscious. is power has an eective range of
30 meters, does not reuire a separate attack
roll and cannot be dodged. When you score a
Critical Win against a victim while attacking
with this power you may inict the Blinded or
Broken Limb Crippling Injury (see V5 Core-
book pg. 303) on them. If the victim already has
the Broken Limb injury, you may give them the
Crippled injury instead.
■ Duration: One Attack
87
Disciplines
Blood Sorcery Level 2
Fatima touched the mirror gently with a blood smeared
hand and spoke the words she'd prepared over its ar
away twin. e surace rippled at her inger tips and You turn your blood into a cloying dream infused
threatened to spill out of the looking glass' slender frame. mist that lulls mortals into a drued slumber.
When her incanation was done the surace calmed and
instead of her relection she saw into another room. e ■ Cost: One Rouse Check
mirror's enchanted twin had arrived within the evidence ■ Dice Pools: Intelligence + Blood Sorcery
lockup. Fatima cast a sly eye towards her Packmates as ■ System: A few words over an open vein turns
she motioned for them to follow her through the poral. your blood into a light mist. All Weak Mortals
in the room fall into a drued stupor at the
Nickname: Koldunic Sorcery, Hoodoo, Lilith's end of the round. Other mortals in the room
Way, Witchcra make a Stamina + Resolve or Survival roll to
attempt to stay awake. ose who fail to achieve
Using their dead blood to create magical formulae a margin of success eual to your own on an In -
and strange incantations is an old practice among telligence + Blood Sorcery roll fall asleep at the
Cainites. ough the Tremere and Banu Haqim end of the round as well. is power has no ef -
have certainly perfected the Discipline in the fect on vampires. If they drink from a mortal in
modern nights, many Clans including the Tzimisce stupor treat this as Morphine tainted blood (see
claim ancient rites of blood magic as their own V5 Corebook pg. 188). Mortals awakened before
invention. the end of the Scene have a -2 penalty on all
die pools and experience symptoms of opioid
exposure. Gas masks grant mortals immunity
Level 1 or a bonus on their resistance rolls against this
power depending on their uality.
■ Duration: One Scene
You can trap a mortal in their dreams, making it
nearly impossible to awaken them until day break.
■ Cost: Free
■ Dice Pools: None or Wits + appropriate Cra
■ System: Aer placing a drop of your blood on
a sleeping mortal, they enter a deep and dream
lled sleep. ey cannot be awakened from this
sleep unless they are wounded, though they
can be carefully fed upon by vampires without
risking awakening them. e caster can guide
what kind of dreams or nightmares the mortal
experiences with a Wits + Cra roll, though
craing a specic dream is usually Diculty 3
or higher. At the Storyteller's discretion, these
dreams can temporarily change the sleeping
mortal's Blood Resonance or Desire.
■ Duration: One Night
88
THE BLACK HAND
Rituals the same size as your target. You complete the
Blood Sorcery rituals reuire a Rouse Check, ve ritual by drawing a face on the dummy with
minutes per level to cast, and an Intelligence + their blood.
Blood Sorcery test (Diculty is Ritual level + 1). ■ System: You create a semi-mobile and semi-
Rituals oen create objects or tokens of power communicative copy of a mortal. is fetch
that store the blood magic until it is needed, but blinks, breathes, and verbally responds to
unless otherwise stated the caster can only perform stimulus around them. is doppelganger
benecial rituals on themselves. seems alive and can even pass a cursory medi-
cal examination, but has a limited vocabulary
of one liners, pleasantries and platitudes when
Level 1 asked uestions. e fetch disintegrates into its
ingredients if wounded and must be maintained
with blood on a monthly basis by its creator.
You can fake some aspects of a mortal life. Only one Blood Fetch can be active at a time.
■ Ingredients: A moth's wing or pupa.
■ Process: Dip the moth part in your vitae and
place it under your tongue. e Ritual ends You steal a mortal's dream and store it in a vial of
early if the moth is removed from your mouth blood to share with others.
or you imbibe mortal blood.
■ System: For ve nights, the vampire can eat, ■ Ingredients: A vial of blood taken from a
drink and breathe just as a mortal. is ritual dreaming mortal. A crow's feather.
also causes their heart to beat, their tempera - ■ Process: You draw a mortal's blood without
ture to rise and for the direct use of mortal their consent while they're sleeping and then
technology such as touch screens. Since this mix the blood with part of a crow's feather.
magic is partly illusionary in nature, a cursory ■ System: Anyone who drink's the mortal blood
medical examination or engaging in sexual stolen by this Ritual experiences the same
intercourse likely reveals the deception. Un - dream or nightmare as the mortal from whom
like Blush of Life (see V5 Corebook pg. 218) the blood was taken. Usually this is the dream
food consumed while under the eects of this being experienced by the mortal at the time of
ritual doesn't need to be regurgitated unless the the ritual's execution, but mortals with pro -
power is ended prematurely. Lastly, this ritual phetic dreams or recurring nightmares might
cannot mitigate the Lasombra or Nosferatu empower the blood with those visions instead.
Clan Banes.
Level 2 You can sense the location of your Sire or more
distant blood relations.
You create a crude simulacrum of a mortal that ■ Ingredients: Cainite blood, a silver bowl and
can be used as bait or a decoy. grain alcohol.
■ Process: You pour your own blood or the blood
■ Ingredients: e target's blood and clothing. of a willing Cainite participant into a silver
■ Process: Using sticks, padding and the vic- bowl lled with grain alcohol. e alcohol is lit
tim's clothing, you fashion a dummy roughly with a match and allowed to burn o. Once the
89
Disciplines
alcohol is cooked o, the residue is licked from
You create a heart shaped relic that sympathetically
the bowl by the donor.
absorbs harm meant for you.
■ System: For the rest of the night you can sense
your Sire by direction. To follow this sense on ■ Ingredients: A lump of clay and a box prefer-
foot the donor must make a Wits + Survival roll ably made of wood or paper.
against a Diculty eual to 5 minus the margin ■ Process: You shape a heart out of clay and write
on the ritual test. Using vehicles or supernatu - your name on it. Aer the clay dries, rub your
ral powers to move faster increases the base blood into your carved name before placing the
Diculty to track your target by +2. e caster clay heart into the box. As long as you never
can target the donor's grandsire instead if they open the box again, this ritual's power lasts
wish, though this increases the ritual's Dicul - until you enter Torpor or make a new clay heart
ty by +2. e sixth sense granted by this ritual with this ritual.
remains active for one night, while a critical ■ System: As long as you never look upon the
win extends it to two nights. clay heart again, it absorbs wounds that were
intended for you. While this ritual is in ef -
fect, you ignore the rst Aravated Health or
Level 3 Willpower damage you would have suered in
a round. is damage is instead inicted on the
clay heart. e clay heart absorbs damage eual
e vampire steals a victim's voice and traps it in a to 1 + the margin of success on your ritual test,
sealed bottle. though it can never have more health levels than
your level in Blood Sorcery. e heart never
■ Ingredients: A glass bottle and a wax seal. regains health levels and it crumbles to ash once
■ Process: e glass bottle is pressed to a victim's it has absorbed its maximum damage. e heart
lips while the caster speaks an incantation doesn't absorb self-inicted Willpower dam -
binding their voice. e bottle is then sealed age. If it is ever burnt or exposed to sunlight,
with wax and usually marked with the victim's you immediately enter Torpor and this ritual's
name or initials. power is spent.
■ System: If the ritual is successful the victim
remains mute for as long as the vampire has
the sealed bottle in their possession. If the seal
or bottle are ever damaged, the victim's voice
is restored immediately. Vampires and other EXAMPLE:
supernatural creatures can have their voices Fatima creates a Heart Shaped Box and scores 7
bottled but they must either willingly submit to successes on her ritual tes. She needed 4 successes
the ritual or the caster must restrain the victim (ritual level +1) to succeed and so gained a margin
throughout the rite and then score a critical of 3 successes beyond the base Dificulty. is would
win on the ritual test. normally give Fatima a heart that can absorb up to
4 damage (her margin of success +1), but since she
only has 3 levels of Blood Sorcery the clay heart is
also capped at 3 damage levels that it can absorb.
90
THE BLACK HAND
Level 4 We Will Be SAVIOrS
WHeN We returN
You create a portal in a nearby mirror and escape
to another previously prepared mirror.
■ Ingredients: A large mirror and the ashes of a
recently destroyed vampire.
■ Process: You eat some of the ashes while tracing
your ngers along the surface of a large mirror.
Once all but the last mouthful of ashes have
been consumed, the mirror is ready to be called
upon.
■ System: Eat the last mouthful of ashes while
touching a dierent large mirror. is creates a
portal between this mirror and the mirror you
originally prepared with this ritual. You can
see whatever is reected in the original mir-
ror when you open the portal. is link only
lasts for a number of rounds eual to 1 + the
expect us
margin of success you gained when casting this
we are the sword
ritual. One vampire can step through the portal
every round, instantly appearing in front of
expect us
the specially prepared mirror. Mortals, ghouls,
and vampires without a reection cannot step
through a mirror walk portal. e magic of this
ritual is spent once the portal closes or if the
ritually prepared mirror is signicantly dam -
aged before it is activated.
WHeN We returN
Gehenna will be ours
91
Sabbat Advanages
92
THE BLACK HAND
Sabbat Advantages New Background: Ritae
You are skilled in the Sabbat's Ritae and could po -
For the most part, Advantages are unchanged in tentially serve as your Pack's Priest. is is a com -
the Sabbat, working as presented in the V5 Core - mon Advantage among Sabbat, even for those who
book. A new Sabbat-only Background called Ritae do not aspire to leadership. Since formal training
is added below for characters interested in taking in the Ritae is no longer the norm, most Sabbat
on the role of a Priest or who otherwise want to come upon these skills through personal experi -
explore a Cainite more interested in the spiritual - ence, apprenticeship, or rote memorization of their
ity of the Sabbat or their Path. Most Sabbat spend Pack's rituals. is is a Sabbat only Background.
these dots into communal concerns such as Haven
or Path Advantages (see pg. 16-23), and avoid be- • Initiated: You know and can perform all of
coming weighed down with mortal ties that could the Sabbat's Auctoritas Ritae, and can per-
taint them in the eyes of their Packmates. form your Pack's Ignoblis Ritae. You also
understand how to properly care for ritual
implements such as the vaulderie chalice.
Backgrounds and Merits If you have one-dot in Ritae, you can also buy the
All Backgrounds and Merits presented in the V5 following Advantages for one dot each:
Corebook are appropriate for Sabbat vampires.
Since mortal ties are frowned upon in the Black • Innovator: You gain +2 dice on any roll
Hand, Sabbat have to be careful when acuiring concerning the Ritae and you can cra and
pawns in the mortal world. e Bonding Merits perform Ignoblis Ritae on demand.
(see V5 Corebook pg. 180) deserve special atten - • Anointed: You know one Numinous Ritae
tion given the Sword of Caine's reliance on the of your choice (see pg. 67).
Vinculum blood bond. All of these merits are also
available to a Sabbat vampire, but reuire the char-
acter to take either the Suspect or Dark Secret (●) Allies and Contacts
Flaw depending on if they keep this ability a secret. Long term connections with mortals are severely
e Unbondable merit is especially concerning and limited within the Sabbat, especially if the Cainite
Cainites that are known to have it will likely never isn't using the Blood Bond to insure the mortals
be fully trusted and will have to constantly prove are under control. Only the most trusted members
their loyalty. of a Pack are allowed to openly cultivate mortal
e aw Dark Secret (●●) Mortal Ties should allies and contacts since they can uickly become a
be taken by Sabbat vampires who have established liability. Usually only Sabbat with Status are given
connections in the mortal world without the the leeway to foster such arrangements. If the Pack
knowledge or direct approval of their Packmates. ever has to expose itself to danger to maintain the
Many Sabbat Predator Types (see pg. 24) grant this relationship with these mortals it is likely punish-
aw since feeding is an activity made a great deal ments will soon follow for their handlers.
easier with mortal ties. Having these ties exposed Noddists are usually the least forgiving when it
can lead to interesting plot and role-play develop - comes to mortal entanglements, while Albigensians
ments. For example your Priest may decide to keep are more lenient as long as there is no hesitation
your secret in exchange for your support against a when the time comes to liuidate the mortals. Ba-
more popular or devout rival. hari and Uniers are oen more willing to accept
these relationships as long as the mortals are under
tight control and never spared the whip hand.
93
Sabbat Advanages
Fame most lenient of the Black Hand, but they are the
Maintaining a famous identity among mortals is most committed to communal living spaces. For
a surere way to get destroyed within the Black the Albigensians the communal haven is a phys -
Hand. Few Packs would tolerate a vampire who ical expression of the Pack's strength and bond.
seeks the adoration of mortals, even if for cynical A Packmate that disrespects or neglects the Pack
reasons. Even a Cainite who pursued infamy in haven risks alienating their comrades.
mortal eyes would uickly become suspect in the
Sabbat. e Black Hand does respect fame and
infamy gained in vampiric circles though. e Herd and Retainers
Seraphim for example have parlayed their reputa - Herds are common in the Sabbat but are regularly
tion within the Sabbat into political and spiritual liuidated or turned so that the risk of exposing
power. A Sabbat Cainite feared by the Camarilla or Black Hand secrets is limited. Sabbat herds are
detested by the Ashirra would be seen as an asset not well treated and the task of procuring mortals
by most Sabbat Packs and even a potential Priest. and keeping them under wraps is oen considered
grunt work t for only the freshest recruits. When
the Pack creates canon fodder through the mass
Haven Embrace the mortals in their herd are oen the
Keeping an individual haven is frowned upon in rst to be eliminated.
the Sabbat, but certain leeway is oen granted for As for retainers, Sabbat vampires always prefer
those Cainites whose Clan Banes cannot be denied. to turn their animal and mortal servants into
Ravnos and Tzimisce vampires oen keep private ghouls. While animal servants are always preferred,
crash pads whenever a Pack lingers in any place for sometimes mortals have to be brought into the fold
longer than a week or two. Keeping a separate hav- to accomplish day time tasks. Most Packs have at
en is rarely something a Sabbat would be punished least 1 or 2 ghouls protecting their havens during
over unless the Cainite kept it a secret or refused daylight hours, these wretches are usually de -
to spend most of their time within the communal formed through eshcra or ritual scarication to
haven. A Priest could uickly shi from under- prevent them from even thinking of escaping back
standing to vengeful if a Sabbat's private haven to their mortal lives. A few Packs even make use of
was discovered to be better euipped then their Revenants (see page 99), ghouls from mortal fami -
communal hideout. Cathari are oen seen as the lies that have been carefully bred and cultivated by
94
THE BLACK HAND
the Tzimisce for generations. While many of these into a Sabbat game. For example, the Golconda Lo -
ghoul families were liuidated by the Sabbat at the resheet could open up particularly interesting story
start of the Gehenna War, a few isolated enclaves lines given the Sabbat's heterodox points of view on
have survived and remain loyal to the Black Hand. that mythical state. For Loresheets appropriate for
a Sabbat Chronicle see pg. 57 and pg. 114.
Mask
Unlike other Advantages, Mask trips across both Resources and Inuence
practical and ideological lines within the Sabbat. Packs usually keep their money in cash, gold, or
Maintaining a living identity is a great sin with - even valuable weapons. ey avoid stocks and
in the Black Hand. Even if it's for the purpose of legal revenue streams. Nomads oen deal in stolen
helping the Pack, a Mask is a potential o ramp vehicles or supplement their cash ow with smash
that threatens a Cainite's progress on their Path of and grab burglaries. More sedentary Sabbat covens
Enlightenment. Few Priests would allow a Pack- co-opt street level criminal organizations and
mate to have a mortal Mask and keeping it a secret use their powers to regularly compel cash out of
would likely be a fatal oense if discovered. gambling dens, strip clubs, and prostitution rings.
Scrounging up vast sums of money can be dicult
for the Sabbat and they prefer to take what they
Mawla and Status want. Inuence in the mortal world is even more
e Sabbat is fractured, with only the Seraphim troublesome as it can uickly tip o enemy Sects to
truly rising to the level of universally respected a Pack's presence. A Sabbat Cainite that develops
gures. Mawla usually come from their ranks or mortal inuence without their Pack's enthusiastic
from the hermit-like Prisci. As for Status, Cainites consent will uickly nd themselves ostracized or
still gain recognition when a great feat of bravery destroyed. Only Cainites with a great deal of trust
or faith is witnessed by other Packs, but this name or Status would likely be able to convince their
recognition is oen eeting and rarely travels Pack to risk playing the Camarilla's game.
farther than the nomads who tell the tale. us,
Status is ckle and few Sabbat chase it unless they
nd the right moment to prove their worth to a SABBAT PACKS AND LORESH EETS
particularly large gathering of Packs. Status also Two types of Loresheets are presented in this book.
brings with it the pressure to lead as a Bishop or The standard Loresheet can be bought by an individ-
Archbishop. A Sabbat with a modicum of Status ual player character to personalize their connection
may nd other Packs trying to seduce them to to the lore. The Pack Loresheet is bought by con-
their cause, especially if they seek greater political sensus between the players. Even though character
or spiritual prominence within the Sword of Caine. points are spent to purchase these Pack Loresheets,
they impact everyone in the Pack. Just as a player
character can only have one Loresheet, a Sabbat
Loresheets Pack can only have one Pack Loresheet. While these
Most of the Loresheets contained in the V5 Core - shouldn't be seen as vectors for inter-Pack conict,
book are inappropriate for Sabbat vampires and there is opportunity for controlled rivalries and
all should reuire Storyteller permission before tensions between Packmates if the loyalties and
being taken by a Sabbat character. While bloodline interests dictated by their personal Loresheet come
Loresheets such as Descendant o Xavier are almost into conict with the needs of the Pack Loresheet.
always a bad t for a Sabbat chronicle, those deal -
ing with historical events or ideologies can easily t
95
Weapons of War
Weapons of War
e dead can forgive. e dead can be forgiven. e rest of us have better things to do.
— OE ABERCROMBIE, BEST SERVED COLD
he Black Hand is at war. ey have commandeered and co-opted
T every lethal artice of the mortal world to destroy their enemies.
Where they can, they have taken control of military drone opera-
tors, subverted rebel groups, and inltrated terrorist organizations.
When they don't have access to such rened methods of slaughter, the Sabbat
have perfected the art of improvised mass-murder. Adapting common items
and otherwise harmless materials to their own purposes. e following sec-
tion details a few of their tools and describes some of the collaborators that
the Sabbat makes use of when they must ght from the shadows and in their
enemy's territory.
96
THE BLACK HAND
Over the Counter Mayhem Explosives and Fire
e mortal world is oen a mystery to the Sabbat, All vampires fear re and only the foolish make use
but when it comes to mayhem few things confuse of bombs lightly. e Black Hand understands this
them. Explosives, rearms, and power tools are and employs re and explosives as a terror tactic to
second nature to the Sword of Caine. Unlike most ush out their enemies and scatter their chicken
other vampires, they are formed of a single purpose hearted allies. When their enemies are alone and
and have few compunctions when they are ghting surrounded by the ashes of familiarity, that is when
against the masters of Gehenna and their pawns. the Sword strikes.
Brutality A vehicle ried with improvised
e Black Hand enjoys using weaponry that both explosives usually made from fertilizer, diesel
intimidates and demoralizes their foes. For them fuel, and other chemicals. ese bombs are oen
the cruelty is oen the point. Spiked boards and triered by a dominated ghoul or a cell phone.
chain saws are staples of the Sabbat. Weapons that e resulting reball ignores armor and does a
are needlessly dangerous to wield but leave lasting base 8 points of Aravated health damage, -1 per
scars on their victims. meter from the center of the detonation. is car
bomb assumes a compact vehicle is used laden with
homemade materials. If a higher grade explosive is
A simple bat or 2x4 punctured with used to create the car bomb, the damage caused by
nails and spikes, giving it a gruesome appearance the resulting explosion could easily be doubled.
and painful bite. e nail bat counts as a heavy
impact weapon with a damage value of +3 and A vest packed with explosives
grants a +1 bonus to Intimidation die pools. ese and shrapnel oen worn by a ghoul stripped of
weapons are oen unsound and will break if used all self identity. e blast does a base of 10 points
regularly. of health damage, -1 per meter from the center of
detonation. (Aravated to mortals, but not to
A power tool that uses powder red vampires)
cartridges to launch nails. is is a light piercing
ranged weapon with a damage value of +2. On a A crude bomb made from
critical win on an attack roll, this weapon staples gasoline, a glass bottle and a soaked rag. e Sab -
a victim's limb to a nearby object or to their own bat oen use these to burn down havens, slow
body. At the Storyteller's discretion this can slow down pursuing police cars or cause a panic in a
their movement speed or make one of their limbs place crowded with mortals. Successfully hitting a
inoperable for one round. victim with a Molotov cocktail is Diculty 4, and
it causes 2 Aravated health damage every turn.
A gasoline powdered long bladed saw One action is usually enough to stop the burn with
that can carve through lumber or savage a victim's a Composure + Survival roll (Diculty 3).
body. is is a heavy melee weapon with a damage
value of +5. Chainsaws are exceptionally loud and
heavy. If well-maintained, a chainsaw takes one
round to start-up. On a critical win on an attack
roll this weapon inicts the Crippled condition on
mortals (see V5 Corebook pg. 303).
97
Weapons of War
Relics
Uniue items deeply tied to the Sabbat's history,
Relics are uasi-magical tools that have mostly
been forgotten by all but the most avid scholars of
Black Hand lore. Storyteller's should limit Relics to
one per Chronicle.
Aaron's Razor
A meticulously maintained and paper thin straight
razor bearing the markings of a 17th Century
design. is light piercing weapon has a damage
value of +2. It is believed that the razor can inict
Aravated wounds on Cainites and can magically
identify a potential victim's Blood Resonance.
Talbot's Chainsaw
A rust covered chainsaw from the 1950s that always
reuires several yanks to get properly started. is
heavy melee weapon has a damage value of +5. It is
rumored that anyone wielding Talbot's chainsaw
cannot be harmed by bullets or re as long as the
blade is covered in blood.
Tongue of Augustus
e severed tongue of the false Antediluvian
Augustus Giovanni. Barely more than a strip of
leather now, this keepsake can supposedly detect
any lie spoken in its presence. It also allows its
keeper to call upon wraith retainers, who cannot
deceive or deny anyone bearing the tongue.
Ivory Bow
A bow made of ash wood and decorated with ivory.
Arrows red from this bow are light piercing
weapons that have a damage value of +2. According
to legend the bow inicts Aravated damage on
Cainintes and lupines, and a werewolf wounded
by the bow cannot shi forms as long as they are
pierced by an arrow's barb.
98
THE BLACK HAND
Servants and Pawns e Mad Dog
A heavily armed mortal hunter, mentally enslaved
A useful collection of tools for the Sabbat to throw by the Sabbat. ese minions are usually tortured
into the churn of the Gehenna War. with supernatural powers and then let loose on
the Black Hand's enemies to die in a spectacular
fashion.
e Brute
A loyal ghoul enslaved with the blood bond. Flesh - General Diculty: 3/2
cra modications have made them tougher and so Standard Dice Pools: Physical 4, Social 2, Mental 3
monstrous that they have a dicult time socializ - Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 6
ing or living with other mortals. Exceptional Dice Pools: Athletics 6, Awareness 6,
Brawl 6, Firearms 8, Melee 6, Occult 6
General Diculty: 3/1 Disciplines: None
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 5, Social 1, Mental 2 Notes: e hunter is armed with a shotgun (+3),
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 3 stakes (+0) and Molotov cocktails (see pg. 97).
Exceptional Dice Pools: Awareness 6, Brawl 6, When hunting they wear gear that grants them Ar-
Intimidation 6, Melee 8 mor 4, and they take high doses of amphetamines
Disciplines: Obfuscate 1 or Potence 1 allowing them to spend two Willpower points to
Notes: e ghoul is armed with a re ax (+3) and completely re-roll one die pool once per round.
their eshcraed hide provides Armor 4. ey usu -
ally learn Cloak of Shadows or Lethal Body.
e Blood Brothers
A nearly mindless monstrosity craed out of
e Revenant murdered in-bloods. It hungers for Cainite vitae
A member of a ghoul family that has recently been and can be relentless when on the hunt for new
given Cainite blood in exchange for service to the victims. Blood Brothers can mimic the speech, face
Sabbat. Young Revenants can only access their and body shape of the in-bloods they were made
Discipline powers when fed Cainite blood. from and those that they devour. ey instinctively
use this ability to unnerve or lure in new victims.
General Diculty: 3/3
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 5, Social 3, Mental 3 General Diculty: 4/2
Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 5 Standard Dice Pools: Physical 5, Social 3, Mental 2
Exceptional Dice Pools: Awareness 6, Brawl 6, Dis - Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 2
ciplines 6, Firearms 6, Occult 6 and either Animal Exceptional Dice Pools: Athletics 8, Awareness 8,
Ken 8 (Bratovitch) or Subterfuge 8 (Zantosa) Brawl 8, Performance 8, Stealth 8
Disciplines: Special, see below Disciplines: Fortitude 2, Potence 3
Notes: e Revenant is armed with a pistol (+2) and Notes: Blood Brothers can shape themselves to
a knife (+1). Revenants gain Protean 1 and either resemble devoured victims similar to the Trophy
Animalism 1 (Bratovitch) or Presence 1 (Zantosa) Hunter power (see pg. 86). ey usually learn the
when they are fed Cainite blood. is is in addition powers Toughness, Resilience, Soaring Leap, Prow-
to a single level 1 power gained from their master ess, and Uncanny Grip.
(see V5 Corebook pg. 234). Sabbat Revenants oen
develop powers such as Daunt, Eyes of the Beast,
and Sense the Beast.
99
Weapons of War
Allies and Mentors and that only the truly worthy will sit at the foot
of Caine's throne when the Antediluvians have
Powerful soldiers of the Black Hand and their been defeated.
allies who can serve as mentors or rivals for Sabbat
characters. General Diculty: 4/4
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 5, Social 8, Mental 5
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 7
e Remover Exceptional Dice Pools: Animal Ken 8, Brawl 8,
A lone Sabbat assassin who has murdered count- Cra 8, Disciplines 8, Stealth 8
less Emirs and Princes. Her Pack was destroyed Disciplines: Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 3, Presence 5,
long ago, but she tirelessly pursues the cause of the Protean 4
Gehenna War on her own terms now. e Remover Notes: e Perfecti has access to tomes and frag-
can be a deadly ally and a dangerous mentor. When ments of the Word. ey can mentor and tutor
she answers the Pack's call she can single handed - Cainites in various subjects and Paths of Enlighten-
ly cripple a Camarilla domain, but she demands ment, including the Path of Cathari and the Path
near suicidal loyalty to her cause in exchange for of Lilith. Talented students may even be able to
her help. A loyalty her paranoia demands she tests convince the Perfecti to show them the rst sign
oen. posts towards Golconda if they don't already have a
personal Loresheet.
General Diculty: 5/3
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 8, Social 4, Mental 6
Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 6
e Advisor
Exceptional Dice Pools: Awareness 8, A powerful blood sorcerer dedicated to seeing the
Disciplines 8, Occult 8, Stealth 8 remnants of the Tremere Pyramid destroyed by the
Disciplines: Blood Sorcery 3, Celerity 5, Sabbat. e Advisor is uiet and unassuming, but
Obfuscate 3, Dominate 3 their power is undeniable. ey see potential in
Notes: e Remover has access to military grade all things and even a threat can become an oppor-
weaponry at a moments notice. She can construct tunity in their hands. As an ally the Advisor can
improvised explosive devices and is a master at unlock mysteries and riddles with ease and they
ambushing unaware foes. When ready for a ght seem to prefer collecting favors to cashing them in.
assume she has a katana (+3) and an AR-15 (+3).
General Diculty: 4/3
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 5, Social 5, Mental 8
e Perfecti Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 8
A strangely serene Albigensian who has plumbed Exceptional Dice Pools: Disciplines 8, Persuasion 8
the depths of their Path of Enlightenment and Disciplines: Auspex 4, Blood Sorcery 5,
is treated with near saint-like reverence by other Dominate 5
Cathari. e Perfecti is a spiritual leader, guide, Notes: e Advisor is a Tremere Antitribu that has
and repository of Sabbat lore. ey are no longer stayed loyal to the Sword. eir ties to the ua -
interested in political power and their Pack serves si-independent House Goratrix gives them access
as almost an extension of their will. Instead, the to countless rituals, minor supernatural items
Perfecti has dedicated themselves to honing other and magical texts. ey can also call upon strange
Sabbat and searching the Word for clues to Caine's magical creatures and ancient pacts if necessary to
grand design. e Perfecti knows it will take more further their arcane ambitions. ey are more than
than blood and diablerie to win the Gehenna War, willing to teach those who have the aptitude.
100
THE BLACK HAND
101
Weapons of War
102
THE BLACK HAND
Chapter Four:
WAR PARTY
If you’re ever lucky enough to belong somewhere, if a place akes you in and you ake it into yoursel,
you don't desert it just because it can kill you.
ere are things more valuable than life.
— POPPY Z. BRITE
e world changed tonigh.
Uncounted years of planning and it all balanced on a knife's edge.
A single bloody night and suddenly I can see i, visions of the Ba-
salt rone beckon me like never before. e masters of Gehenna
are exposed, and when I reveal myself the alse church of the Dark
Father shall all.
In my dreams and visions Jibril oered me the path of mercy,
but that was never to be my ate. Even in breathing days I was
marked by the crescent moon and only the path of blood held
the promise of freedom. As Caine is my true ather, I am the last
daughter of his blood.
Praise be to Caine for the shadows have allen from our souls and
our enemies cower in their holes. Too ashamed to even show their
103
War Party
aces to their children as they hope the end of days passes over
them like a summer storm. ey think they'll simply oer up their
progeny in their place and hide behind the lie of the beckoning.
ey will sacriice the in-bloods and the clanless at the alar of
their church to appease a alse Dark Father, but it shall be a short
lived accord. For once the lowliest are spen, the tower's priests
shall oer up the blood of the great and powerful as well.
is is where the path of blood leads us, and while it would be eas-
ier to ake the mercy oered and leave this world to its ate, we've
laid our plans in suering and betrayal. When we return, we shall
have grown at on the blood and secrets of the ancients. When we
return, our erstwhile enemies will be sarved and desperate, they
will look upon us as their saviors.
When we return, Gehenna will be ours.
— NAWAL BINT HAWA, SERAPHIM OF THE HOST OF HILAL
104
THE BLACK HAND
Sabbat Chronicles Conficting Loyalties
In the Revised edition of Vampire: the Masquerade
Oen the key to writing a good chronicle is to many Sabbat games focused on hypocrisy and
adapt your setting and plot points to the characters internal politics. is is not the focus of the Sabbat
created by your players. While you shouldn't wait in V5. Sect politics, orthodoxy, and especially "in -
until the last minute to create your Chronicle, out - fernalism" are at best background material or false
side of a basic city structure and a few rough plots, leads. At its heart conicting loyalties are the focus
your player characters are going to dene how the of a Sabbat Chronicle in V5. Plots should hope -
Chronicle unfolds. Your focus should be on how fully force player characters to balance the edicts
their characters interact with the setting and the of their Sect against the adopted morality of their
story your trying to tell. Paths, while navigating the ever present nightly
While a Session Zero is a great way to make needs and tribulations of their Packmates. Not to
sure everyone is playing the Chronicle they want mention the ever present threat and violence of
to play, the player character's sheets and backstory the Gehenna War. Sect wide political factions are
should also inform your work as a Storyteller foun- gone and a character’s place in their Pack and Path
dationally. A player creating a Gehenna scholar, hierarchy will have greater emphasis in play then
Bahari, or elder hunter is telling you the type of their Clan or political faction. Even if they follow
game they want to play; so write plots involving a Seraphim, they are likely far away and occupied
Gehenna mysteries, Lilin artifacts, or torpid elders with matters of high strategy or personal vendetta.
for them. Another easy way to design an engaging e Pack is a Sabbat's family. How far are your
Sabbat Chronicle is to absorb a character's aws player characters willing to go to protect and care
into the story. for their comrades? Would they betray them for
Flaws matter! Characters giving themselves the needs of the Gehenna War? How much does it
Flaws such as Archaic or Addiction are telegraph - cost to save the world and is it even worth saving?
ing the sort of experience they want to have while
playing. Remember, Flaws aren't there for punish-
ment. Make them matter by adapting your story
to incorporate them. Sessions that center on a Sects
character's aws allow them to explore their self- A Sabbat chronicle usually pits Sabbat characters
identity in a Sect that only celebrates self-sacrice against Camarilla or Anarch vampires as they
and martyrdom. It also gives their Pack a chance to pursue their own goals or wage the Gehenna War.
explore how they balance their personal relation - While the Camarilla in particular is invested in
ships with the needs of the Sabbat and the constant thwarting the Sabbat's ambitions, their Ashirra al -
pressures of the Gehenna War. lies may also step in forcefully if the Sabbat stum-
A good adage about role playing, especially ble upon a secret or locale of particular importance
within the World of Darkness, is that it’s about to them.
choice. For every scene you plot, ask yourself what
choices are your player characters being faced with? THE SABBAT Dedicated to the destruction of
You make these choices hard by forcing the player the Antediluvians and the open supremacy of vam -
characters to weigh the cost of whatever advan - pires over the mortal world. Sabbat vampires must
tage or goal they're pursuing. An advantage gained balance the needs of the Gehenna War against
should come with a cost, whether it’s political, their personal ambitions, the needs of their Pack
material, social, or spiritual. and the needs of their Path of Enlightenment.
e Sabbat is dominated by younger vampires and
105
War Party
is a constantly evolving militant army. e elders of ■ Typical Clans: Banu Haqim, Toreador, Lasom-
the Black Hand maintain what institutional memo - bra, Nosferatu, Malkavian, Ministry, and dissi-
ry they can and rarely waste time enforcing dogma dents from Anarch, Hecata, and Tremere clans
or spiritual orthodoxy. Sabbat vampires wage the
Gehenna War in the hidden corners of the world, ■ Typical Coterie Types: Blood Cult, Cerberus,
seeking out the secrets of ancient vampires no mat- Day Watch, Maréchal, Nomads, Plumaires,
ter whether the trail leads them to the mountains Questari, Regency, Sbirri, and Vehme
of Peru or the streets of Ohio.
■ Typical Clans: Tzimisce, Lasombra, Banu Ha-
qim, Ravnos, Salubri, and dissident Antitribu Quick Character Creation
from the Anarch, Camarilla, and Hecata clans
A uick and dirty method for creating a Sabbat
character using all of the options in this book.
■ Typical Pack Types: Carriers, Crypt Ticks,
Hacktivists, Janitors, Jyhad Cell, Menagerie,
CORE CONCEPT
Paladins, Press Gang, Raiders, Removers, Ritu-
What was your name in life? What did you do?
alists, Wanderers
Where and when were you Embraced? How did
you join the Sabbat? What is your name now?
Write your character’s name on the Pack Map.
THE ASHIRRA Formed sometime during
the Islamic golden age, the vampire families of
CLAN
the 'Umat Khaia, or Hidden Nation formed the
Pick your clan. If you know their name write your
Ashirra to better govern themselves and avoid
Sire on the Pack Map along with other NPCs.
unnecessary conict between bloodlines. Organ -
ized into extended familial lineages, an Ashirra
ATTRIBUTES
vampire's ansab or dynasty is oen more important
Take one Attribute at 4; three Attributes at 3; four
than their clan. Although the Ashirra originally
Attributes at 2; one Attribute at 1.
dominated vampiric societies in Africa and South -
west Asia, they spread into Europe and parts of the
Health = Stamina + 3; Willpower = Composure +
Americas during the height of European colonial-
Resolve.
ism. e Ashirra maintained a strict masuerade
known as the Veil of Night, limiting the nature of
SKILLS
their inuence over mortal societies but expertly
Pick one Skill distribution. If you're not sure pick
safeguarding them from hunters. Perhaps due to
Specialist.
this secrecy the small Sect had a disproportionately
large number of elders ruling over their ansab in ■ Jack of all trades: One Skill at 3; eight Skills at
cycles. In modern nights the hidden nation's de 2; ten Skills at 1
facto truce with the Camarilla has turned into ■ Balanced: ree Skills at 3; ve Skills at 2; seven
an open alliance as the Ashirra lost several 'aslaf Skills at 1
or ancestors to the Sabbat at the opening of the ■ Specialist: One Skill at 4; three Skills at 3; three
Gehenna War. It is also rumored that the Ashirra Skills at 2; three Skills at 1
understand the nature of the Beckoning and can
somehow control or manipulate it. Add free specialties to Academics, Cra, Perfor-
mance, and Science Skills.
Take one more free specialty.
106
THE BLACK HAND
DISCIPLINES
■ Ancillae : Embraced between 1780 and 1940
Choose two of your clan Disciplines. Put two dots
◻ 10th or 11th Generation: Blood Potency 2
in one and one dot in the other. Caiti characters
◻ Each player adds 2 points of Advantages
choose any two Disciplines, one gets two dots and
◻ Each player adds 2 points of Flaws
the other gets one. in-bloods have no Disciplines.
◻ Each player subtracts 1 Humanity
◻ Each player spends 35 experience points.
PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Select a Path of Enlightenment and one to three
Convictions (see V5 Corebook pg. 172), at least one
of these has to be a Path Conviction (see pg. 16-23).
Create a number o Touchstone Ritae (see pg. 14), Ambition and Desires
each connected to one of your Path Convictions. e Gehenna War will not be won in a single
Create a number o Touchstones (see V5 Corebook night. It's a long road between tonight and de -
pg. 173), each connected to a remaining non-Path struction of the Antediluvians. A Sabbat charac-
Conviction and add them to the Pack Map. ter's Ambitions and Desires should reect their
Set your Humanity to 7. personal needs and give a window into the linger-
ing embers of their individuality. Even if they re -
PREDATOR TYPE volve around their Pack relationships or the ethics
Pick your Sabbat Predator type (see pg. 24) and ap- of their Path, they should reect relatively short
ply it. If you're not sure pick Reclaimer: term goals in the face of a seemingly endless war
of attrition. A Pack's Vaulderie ritae also has the
■ Add one of the listed Specialties
added advantage of allowing Packmates to share
■ Add one dot to a listed Discipline
their individual Ambitions and goals without
■ Add one dot to another listed Discipline
much fear of reprimand or sabotage.
■ Apply any associated Advantages or Flaws
■ Apply any gains to your Blood Potency
■ Apply any losses to your Humanity
ADVANTAGES
Humanity and Identity
Spend 7 points on Advantages, and take 2 points of e last remaining heresy in the Sword of Caine
Flaws in addition to the ones gained from your is clinging to one's Humanity and denying a Path
Predator type. in-blood characters must take of Enlightenment. While all Sabbat vampires rec-
between one and three in-blood Merits and the ognize the power of the Beast and how dangerous
same number o in-Blood Flaws. Add any new it is to let it rule unchecked, Paths allow a Cainite
NPCs from Advantages or Flaws to the Pack Map. to strip away their human weakness and push o
the worst conseuences of bestial degradation.
YEARS DEAD To hold on to your Humanity shows either a fear
With the Storyteller and other players decide if of the Beast or a lack of faith in the Black Hand.
your Pack is composed of: While there are no sure ways to measure another
vampire's Humanity rating, all Cainites know the
■ Childer: Embraced within the last 15 years signs of clinging to your past. Packs grow suspi -
◻ 14+ Generation inblood: Blood Potency 0 cious when one of their own has lingering contact
◻ 12th or 13th Generation: Blood Potency 1 with mortal touchstones or refuses to adopt a
■ Neonates: Embraced between 1940 and 2010 more monstrous or "Sabbat style" persona.
◻ 12th or 13th Generation: Blood Potency 1 In a Sabbat game Humanity can also be a
◻ Each player spends 15 experience points
107
War Party
measure of how much of a character's mortal Sabbat Domains
identity has survived aer their Embrace. While While they are rarer now then in the past, Sabbat
there is no hard and fast rule for this, it's clear that domains still exist scattered around the world,
the lower a vampire's Humanity erodes - the less usually near the front lines of the Gehenna War.
of their mortal life they can recall. Especially if A few still remain in the regions that were once
they no longer maintain mortal Touchstones that considered the heartland of the Sword of Caine.
knew them in their breathing days. A story that Where exactly the Sabbat still hold sway shis
highlights a Sabbat vampires degeneration would with their fortunes in the Gehenna War, but as
do well to emphasize how a characters memories of more Sabbat veterans return from the front lines,
their mortal life are slipping away as they progress the Black Hand's ability to reclaim lost cities only
along their Path. While much is made of Sabbat grows. Sabbat Packs grown fat and powerful on
vampires taking on ghastly nicknames or bloody the blood of ancient vampires would make short
noms de guerre, perhaps many of them simply can -
work of domains only populated by neonates and
not recall their mortal names.
Tin-bloods. Te so-called Beckoning has hol-
lowed out the defenses of the Camarilla's strong-
holds and while many Sabbat suspect these elders
Golconda are cowering in bunkers in the face of Gehenna,
Can the brutal vampires of the Sabbat reach Gol -
some still revel in the chance to rule again now
conda? Is Uriel's Promise still within their reach,
that they are swollen with stolen power.
even aer so many atrocities and frenzies? Well the
short answer is maybe. As with everything, as long
as they get their Storyteller's permission there is Covens
nothing preventing a Sabbat player from purchas - Sabbat Packs that give up their nomadic ways are
ing the Golconda Loresheet (see V5 Corebook pg. called Covens. Tese Packs oen enact their own
389). Even some of the Seraphim Loresheets play Masquerade known as the Silence of the Blood,
with themes and elements of the search for Golcon- but the Second Inquisition is a constant threat re-
da (see Seraphim Adonia pg. 118). But what does a gardless as their brutal tactics are far from subtle.
Path of Enlightenment focused Golconda search
look like and what are the Paths best suited for the
pursuit of Uriel's Promise? at is a uestion best Archbishops, Bishops and Priests
answered at the table by the Storyteller and the
Pack Priests are the core of the Black Hand's
players themselves.
leadership. Priests that gain a following outside
While a player character may never see this of their own Pack can claim the title of Bishop or
road all the way to the end, the pursuit is always Archbishop. Usually this recognition comes from
worthwhile even if it ends in tragedy. Are they a martial victories, but a Priest that makes a name
Cathari vampire hoping to reclaim their mortality for themselves as a devout Path scholar could
so they can have another try on the wheel of rein-
easily nd themselves leading multiple Packs with
carnation? A Unier hoping to leash their Beast subservient Priests of their own. Technically only
to their will and overcome their vampiric Banes? Archbishops can address a Cardinal or Priscus,
Or a Noddist convinced that Caine awaits them but such conventions have fallen by the wayside in
within the heart of Golconda, an occulted messiah
the modern nights. Very few Sabbat claim the title
that only needs the prayers of the faithful to call
of Archbishop or Cardinal anymore, while self-
him back into the world.
styled Bishops leading a war band of a half-dozen
or more Packs have become the norm.
108
THE BLACK HAND
The Gehenna War e Seraphim and Caine’s rone
e rst uestion a Storyteller should ask is "What e Seraphim were devised as a response to the
is this really about?". If you believe the zealots of decentralized nature of the Sabbat and how cults
the Black Hand, the Gehenna War is the Sab - of personality sprung up to ll vacuums of power
bat's great push to circumvent the Jyhad. ey've and leadership. ey muddle the uestion of, who
stopped playing by the old rules and ipped over rules the Sabbat? With the Regent missing or hid -
the chessboard with an all out global attack on den, only the Consistory composed of Cardinals
the Antediluvians and their pawns. is is why and Prisci seemingly hold sway. But as regional
the Sabbat has abandoned its cities and scattered leaders responsible for the Sabbat's greatest defeats,
across the globe to pursue a shadow war of dia - the Cardinals are hardly popular gures. While a
blerie and terror. Priscus oen loses whatever clout they have the
But what if the Gehenna War was a symptom moment they become too political.
instead of a call to arms? Instead of the Sabbat's Just as the Camarilla-Ashirra alliance was a
great crusade, what if it was the last gasp of a response to the Sabbat's triumphs, the Seraphim
collapsing Sect? An attempt to salvage some kind are a response to its defeats. With no clear path
of revenge from the rubble of the inheritors of to victory in the Gehenna War, the Black Hand is
Enoch's legacy. What would it mean if the Gehenna looking for answers and these leaders all claim to
War was not only suicidal but an undirected lash- have them. Will one of them seize the rone of
ing out? A pointless war led by leaders too stub - Caine and become the last Regent?
born or too blind to reform the Sabbat into a Sect
worthy of Caine's favor.
e Antediluvians
eir is no greater threat than the Antediluvians,
e Beckoning the masters of Gehenna and the sires of the origi -
nal 13 clans. If Gehenna is the nal act of the Jy -
While the time line is muddied now, it's generally
had, then the Sword of Caine is determined to see
agreed that the Beckoning aicted elders of the
the Antediluvians destroyed before they consume
Camarilla shortly aer the Sabbat began their Ge -
all bloodlines. Finding them and their weaknesses
henna War. Why members of the Ashirra, Hecata,
is the obsession of the Black Hand.
and Sabbat seemed unaected was a troubling mys-
at the Antediluvians are unkillable gods is
tery. But in the Black Hand it was mostly accepted
taken as a fact among the Sabbat. But faith allows
that the so-called Beckoning was a ruse. A trick to
them the hope that deliverance will come regard-
allow the elders of the Ivory Tower to shelter and
less of their ancient power. If re, dismember -
sleep through the worst of Gehenna while their
ment, and diablerie cannot destroy them, then
progeny were devoured. at these elders would
only a dark miracle or Caine himself will save the
present such a betrayal as an act of courage seemed
Black Hand and in turn the world. e riddle of
only tting. As the Camarilla's courts disappeared
the Antediluvians must be unravelled. What did
no army of elders appeared at the front lines.
they endure to attain their godhood? Can we stand
If the Beckoning is real, where are the elders it
where they once stood and unearth their moments
summoned and to what purpose? Are they feed-
of triumph and defeat? Probe old wounds and trace
ing the Antediluvians or their methuselahs? Is the
mortal lineages back to the beginning of their
Ashirra somehow behind it? Did the Beckoning al -
curse? Can we know the Antediluvians as they
low them to black mail the Camarilla into formal -
once were and contain them in a vessel that can
izing their alliance?
be destroyed? or can we consume their power and
claim the rone of Caine for ourselves?
109
Faith, Gore, and Sex
Faith, Gore, and Sex
e wicked know that if the ill they do be of suficient horror that men will not speak
against i. at men have just enough stomach for small evils and only these will they
oppose.
— CORMAC MCCARTHY, THE CROSSING
he Sabbat, ever since it was rst written, has been designed to evoke
T strong feelings from players. It uses intense religious imagery against
a backdrop of political corruption, hyper-violence, and a world end -
ing existential threat to create a setting which is uniue in horror
role-playing games. But those strong feelings can easily bleed into real pain if
handled poorly. Here’s some advice on how to handle the Sabbat in a mature,
respectful, and nevertheless still horric way.
110
THE BLACK HAND
Safe Play should feel empowered to make suestions that
can be discussed by the entire table. Storyteller's
e Sabbat delves into dark themes involving not should be open to changing their Chronicle's pa -
only the violence and predations inherent in the rameters based on this feedback.
vampiric condition, but the violence and preda-
tions inherent in institutions that use faith and SESSION ZERO CHECKLIST
camaraderie as tools of abuse and exploitation. ■ Chronicle setting (city, region, etc.)
e Sword of Caine does not exist in the real ■ Potential Chronicle Tenets (see pg. 12)
world, but an Archbishop ordering the branding ■ Chronicle themes (loyalty, sacrice, gore, etc.)
or mutilation of a Cainite to demonstrate faith ■ Major enemies
or contrition has echoes of real-world extremist ■ e characters' Seraphim/leader options
violence. Some players may want to avoid those ■ Safety tools being used (x-card, lines, veils)
themes entirely while others may wish to delve into ■ Character creation guide/tips (see pg. 106)
it as deeply as they safely can stand. ■ How did the Pack meet? Who's the Priest?
e key to having fun is knowing the play- ■ Draw the Pack Map (see pg. 12 & 132)
ers at your table and being opening to everyone's ■ Is PvP allowed or encouraged? What's the limit?
interests while respecting everyone's boundaries. ■ Any house rules?
Knowing where you can go as a Storyteller or as a
player is just as important as knowing where you
can’t. For this reason we strongly encourage the use Lines and Veils
of safety tools such as Session Zero, consent forms, Attributed to the work of Ron Edwards, Lines and
Lines & Veils, XCards, check-in gestures, and Veils allow everyone around the table to decide
post-game debriefs. Below is a uick break down of what sensitive topics are going to be confronted in
common tools we use in our games and we provide the Chronicle, and what is going to be le either
a simple Safe Play worksheet on pg. 133 in the back o the table or strictly in the background.
of this book that you can print out for your players. Before game and preferably at a Session Zero,
the Storyteller should give players blank paper or
our Safe Play worksheets (see pg. 133). Players then
Session Zero identify their Lines and Veils. Lines are a list of
Before the start of a Chronicle, the Storyteller and things that will absolutely not be present in the
players should discuss everyone's expectations and Chronicle nor even mentioned tangentially. Veils
limits before sitting down to play. is is a time are things that can happen during play but will not
set aside for everyone to get on the same page and be detailed or role played.
shouldn't be used to jump into play. Session zeros ese are subjects that either make use of a
also help the players come up with characters that Fade to Black (see below) or are only present in
are tied to one another by history or blood. Session back stories and lore. ese lists are not exhaus -
zero is the perfect time to start writing up the tive and the Storyteller should make it clear that
group's Chronicle Tenets (see pg. 12) and the Pack players can add or remove items from their lists as
Map (see pg. 45 & 132) that connects them all. the game progresses. Veils can become Lines, Lines
Before running a session zero it's oen useful can become Veils, and new Lines or Veils can be
for the Storyteller to create a checklist or one-page added. Veils or Lines can even be removed with the
document that goes over the Chronicle's main consent of the other players. While Veils and Lines
themes and opportunities. Players can use this list cannot be used to erase an antagonist they can be
to ties their characters into the setting and they used to restrict their actions and motivations. So
111
Faith, Gore, and Sex
while a player couldn't list vampires as one of their Faith
Lines, if they listed sexual violence as a Line then e Black Hand and their Paths of Enlightenment
the vampires they do meet would be unable to use aren't a real faith. While they take design cues from
sexual violence or be motivated by the same. Catholicism, Paganism, and Gnosticism, the Sab -
bat's Ritae are intended to replicate religious ritual
: Animal cruelty, Bestiality, Bod - without copying any real-world sacraments. In the
ily functions, Body mutilation, Child death, Force Sabbat, Caine and Lilith take the place of any heav -
feeding, Gender-specic slurs / TERFs, Imprison- enly father, sacred mother, or divine savior. e
ment, Nazis / Fascists, Needles, Pandemics, Racial reality of Caine or Lilith as the progenitors of the
slurs, Sexual violence, Spiders, Starvation, Torture vampire race isn't truly important to the Sabbat.
But the idea of Caine the Dark Father and Lilith
: Animal death, Animal experi - the Dark Mother is the heart of their faith and
mentation, Body horror, Child endangerment, power. Caine and Lilith are absent parents onto
Childhood memories, Consensual Sex, Disturbing whom the cynical leaders can project any dogma,
visions, Dreams or nightmares, Emotional abuse, as long as it serves their ends. Faith is a powerful
Human experimentation, Mental instability, Physi- force and role playing the faithful can open up
cal abuse, Physical illness, Police brutality, Reli - incredible avenues for a player character, as long as
gious cults, Torture the potential impact of opening yourself up to such
an experience is taken seriously.
Faith and dogma can also lead to prejudice
Fade to Black against those that do not hold to your beliefs.
e classic camera cut away, a Fade to Black can While real-world racism and sexism are oen cov-
be used in a Chronicle whenever its needed by a ered under Lines and Veils (see pg. 111), they can be
player or the Storyteller. It is oen used when a constructively explored if everyone at the table is
Veil is present in a Scene or if a Storyteller wishes open to that goal. But for the most part the undead
to move past a moment of sex, violence, torture, uickly learn not to judge another based on their
or feeding without getting into all of the details. A mortal shell. Discrimination based on clan, lineage,
player can always reuest a Fade to Black verbally, Path, and other ctional characteristics take the
by touching the Fade Card or with an agreed upon place of any mortal prejudices.
hand gesture if they are uncomfortable with an un -
folding situation. If they do the Storyteller should
just Fade to Black and move on to a dierent scene. Gore
Violence and gore are oen central elements in a
Sabbat Chronicle. ese vampires are cruel and
The X Card oen go out of their way to commit crimes that
e X Card was designed by John Stavropolous and damage their Humanity so that their Path can take
is a powerful player safety tool. e X Card should root and grow. is makes boundaries around the
be used in every Sabbat game even if no other safe - methods and targets of violence all the more im -
ty tools are in place, although we recommend using portant. While it can be tempting to describe the
all of these tools. To use the X Card put a card details of a character's actions when they do some -
with an X on it in the middle of the table. At any thing cruel, it may not suit the limits of your table.
point a player may touch the X card to halt play. It can take time to calibrate how to use violence
ey don't need to explain why and the Storyteller and gore eectively in your Chronicle.
should only resume once everyone is settled.
112
THE BLACK HAND
Sex safely. Just as some players nd costuming can help
While Vampires aren’t human the yearning to them get into character, changing back into their
physically connect with another can linger well own clothes or taking a shower can also help them
aer death. Oen these desires are sublimated into to step back from any lingering emotions, or bleed,
the vampire's thirst for blood aer the Embrace, from a particularly intense game session.
but some Cainites see physical aection as a con -
nection to their mortal identity. While the deci -
sion to include any amount of sex or romance is PvP
entirely up to the tastes and boundaries of your e Sabbat thrive on action, conict and violence.
table, remember that vampires are undead preda - Player characters can easily nd themselves at odds
tors. Players and Storytellers alike should put those because they follow dierent Paths or perhaps
relationships in context since sex and love can they both seek to claim the role of Priest. How
uickly become weapons in the hands of an inhu - much PvP, or Player vs Player, drama is wanted
man monster. Such a dynamic could easily cross in the Chronicle should be discussed by everyone
over a player's declared boundaries even if that was at Session Zero. While betrayal and dirty deals
not the intent. are common in the Sabbat, remember that the
Vaulderie can be a convenient explanation for why
For example, the powers a vampire brings to
even vampires who hate each other can still put the
bear can uickly cross the line into sexual assault.
needs of their Pack or even the Sect rst.
Sex obtained through Disciplines, Blood Bonds, or
other forms of supernatural coercion should not As a Storyteller, stay open to feedback and
be used as an excuse to cross anyone's boundaries. be willing to step in when needed. While PvP is
What many players might consider appropriate obviously player directed, it's up to the Storyteller
methods by which a vampire may obtain blood to to gauge how it's impacting the overall tone and
sustain themselves, uickly crosses denitive lines enjoyment of the game. If PvP is messing up the
when physical sex is involved. Chronicle, don't be afraid to call for a mid-story
Session Zero to revisit this uestion and honestly
reassess each players needs and your own concerns
Everyone Gets to Have Fun as a Storyteller.
Everyone has a shared responsibility for the safety
of those at the table. If your group is using safety
tools, observe them even if you feel you don’t need Problem Players and STs
them. While players shouldn't cross boundaries ey gotta go. If someone is deliberately, or even
such as Lines and Veils, don't be afraid to check in obtusely, making other players uncomfortable,
with others in the middle of an intense Scene. A they've gotta go. is conversation is never pleas -
simple thumbs up may be the dierence between a ant, but from the perspective of ensuring the men -
great scene and an awful one. tal, emotional, and even the physical safety of your
While the term bleed is fairly common in Live table, it is necessary. Warnings for minor incidents
Action play and acting, it sees less use in table such as inattention or a badly-landing joke may be
top game play. Put simply, bleed is the emotional appropriate. But if someone is deliberately crossing
spill over that sometimes happens during or aer clearly stated boundaries, they've gotta go. Ensur-
game. ese are usually emotions experienced by ing the safety of your table is everyone's responsi -
the player's character during play, but not always. bility and that means even Storytellers have to go if
While not all players experience bleed, those who they can't meet that standard. As players it can be
do should be encouraged to nd a method or pro - dicult to correct or remove a Storyteller, but the
cess that allows them to step out of their character Pack is more important than any single member.
113
LORES HEET
DIRTY SECRETS OF THE BLACK H A N D
even its seemingly suicidal Gehenna War seems unlikely
to destroy it.
e history and origins of the Sabbat have mostly been
lost to time, as most of the Sect is composed of neonates
and there is little interest among the Sabbat's remaining
elders to educate them. While the few Sabbat scholar who
still exist outside the Sect are oen hesitant to reveal the
depth of their knowledge for fear that they will be accused
of conspiring with the enemy. Looking into the Sword of
T
he Sword of Caine is a constantly evolving Caine's past is also rife with other dangers, as buried there
threat to mortals and Kindred alike. Many are old bones that many in the Camarilla would also prefer
vampires have studied the Sect in hopes of de- to be long forgotten. Uncovering the secrets of the Sabbat
termining its weaknesses and defending their reuires a willingness to dig and a disregard for both per-
Domains from its strange allure. While the elders of the sonal safety and clean hands.
Camarilla and Ashirra have long denounced the Sabbat as
a misguided death cult, it has persisted for centuries and
LORE
Speaking Their Language: You to refocus the Sect on its bylaws and documents, gain three temporary dots
don't have a very deep understanding edicts. Gain +2 dice on any roll to parley in Resources (or another Background
of the Sabbat's history or philosophy, or negotiate with Sabbat vampires, at your Storyteller's discretion) for the
but you have picked up a great deal of though this may not apply to especially remainder of the Story or the right to
their lexicon, symbols, and pass codes young recruits. call in a favor from the Noddist some
over the years. You know how to speak Old Promises: Either by long time in the future.
to Sabbat vampires in their own lingo standing agreement or by privilege of The True Hand: Your ex-
and can even identify grati or markers your blood, you have opened up a line ploration into the origins of the Sabbat
that identif y specic Paths, Packs, or of communication with the Sabbat. If have led you to a startling realization.
even Seraphim Hosts. You gain +2 dice you are a member of the Ashirra or That the Sabbat and Camarilla may both
on any roll to identify or use Sabbat Camarilla this could be grounds for your have been inltrated by a shadowy net-
terminology or symbology. immediate destruction by those Sects. work of Antediluvian worshippers. You
The Code of Milan: You can Once per Story, you can demand an au- do not know if this Enochian Hand or
recite the Code of Milan by heart and dience with a nearby Sabbat leader, usu- True Hand still exists, but you know that
may even possess a crude copy of it. ally a Bishop or Archbishop. The safety trying to prove this theor y would likely
The document supposedly codied of your entourage will be guaranteed at mean your nal death. Once per Story
the Sabbat into a Sect af ter the failure the meeting, but secrecy and travel ar- you can ask your Storyteller to provide
of the rst Anarch revolt and spelled rangements are your own concern. you with a secret concerning one of the
out the rights and responsibilities of all Book of Shadows: Your clans or vampires in your domain. How
Sabbat vampires. Once, the code was at research into the Sabbat has led you to you use this secret is up to you, but it
the heart of the Sabbat and treated as fragments of the Book of Nod or an- could give you a great advantage over
both constitution and holy writ. Now it other text of the Word. Noddists seek them politically or socially. Though if it
is all but forgotten except by the Sect's you out to see your texts. Once per is revealed how you came about this
elders who do not seem over eager Story, when you grant access to your information it will likely mean your end.
114
LORESHEET
HOUSE GORATRIX
G
oratrix the Betrayer is the most infamous of the disciples of
Tremere. Not only credited with stealing the secrets of vam-
pirism, but for creating and summoning monsters to wage the
Omen War that secured the clan's place among the Kindred.
With the Vienna Chantry in ashes and the clan scattered into countless
Houses, the scions of Goratrix make their claim upon the Pyramid's re-
mains. e Tremere of this House seek magical power over all else and have
abandoned the traditions of mortals, vampires, and mages.
Goratrix herself famously betrayed her sire to join the Sabbat as a
Priscus, but the House that now carries her name is no longer openly
aligned with the Black Hand. Although they are unwilling to debase them-
selves to join the Ivory Tower, it is assumed House Goratrix will eventually
reconcile with the Camarilla and aid in returning the other errant Tremere
into the fold. is is likely wishful thinking on the part of the Camarilla
Houses, but the alternative is too much for them to bear in their weakened
state.
LORE
Oath of Loyalty: You keep the seen (see V5 Corebook pg. 249) with a as a temporary ve dots of Allies that
secrets of House Goratrix. Gain +2 dice Diculty of 7 minus your Bane Severity. may have access to magical weapons
to any die pools when resisting attempts Call upon the House: or rituals at the Storyteller's discretion.
to learn the secrets of the Tremere or Although Goratrix still serves the Sabbat These Background dots can also be used
House Goratrix. In fact, you're unable to as a Priscus, her House has declared to advance a Project (see V5 Corebook
speak those secrets out loud to an out- itself independent from all Sects and pg. 415), but only if the project's goals
sider unless supernaturally compelled by denies that the Tremere mehuselah align with those of House Goratrix. Fail-
Dominate or blood bond. still holds any sway over them. Some ing to pay your debt to House Goratrix
Lore Master: Once per Story, even going so far as to imply she was will mean you will become the target of
you can ask the Storyteller for one piece destroyed or somehow absorbed by her their other allies and debtors.
of information regarding the history of Sire. While the Tremere of the Cama- Favored Apprentice
the Tremere, Tzimisce, or Salubri clans. rilla court House Goratrix aggressively, (Sabbat characters only): Goratrix has
You cannot gain information about their they currently sell their services to those taken a special interes t in you and con-
activities in modern nights this way. that can pay them in mystical artifacts siders you one of her most promising
Blood of Goratrix (Tremere and lost occult knowledge. House students. Goratrix is a ve-dot Mawla,
characters only): You are one of the last Goratrix has no interest in rebuilding assisting you with Disciplines and Rituals.
surviving blood relations of the great the Pyramid, but also wishes to gather Her position as a Sabbat Priscus and the
Goratrix. You wield blood magic with an power and allies. If they can set the rival nominal head of a Tremere House, also
unparalleled ease. Gain t wo automatic Tremere Houses against each other makes her a very powerful political ally.
successes on any roll necessary for cast- while they string them along, all the bet- Her enemies will target you and your
ing a Blood Sorcery Ritual. In addition to ter. Once per Chronicle, House Gora- Pack to strike at her, not to mention
the usual Tremere clan Bane, you bear a trix puts their assets at your disposal in members of her own House that prefer
mystical brand that others can perceive exchange for payment in the form of a she sever all ties with the Sabbat.
with the Auspex power Sense the Un- magical item or rare tome. Treat this aid
115
LORES HEET
S A S C H A V Y KOS
guarded secrets. While Vykos is not counted among the
Seraphim, they are arguably the most inuential and
famous member of the council of Cardinals and Prisci
that are believed to be ruling the Sabbat in the absence of
the Regent.
To say that Vykos is an enigma is a vast understate-
ment. Despite being an ancient vampire descended from
the legendary blood of the Dracon, they are dedicated
body and soul to the rebellious Sabbat. ey have no
S
ascha Vykos is the Martyr of Caine, a Priscus of compassion or sympathy for the status uo. For Sascha
the Black Hand and a Tzimisce Antitribu me- Vykos there is no choice but constant metamorphosis, to
thuselah. Vykos is an ancient vampire and many stand still in the face of Gehenna is to accept a fate worse
credit them with single-handedly launching the than nal death. is ethos of constant change is also
Sabbat's Gehenna War. e Priscus also has an almost written on Vykos's esh, as they constantly re-imagine
endless list of powerful enemies. Vykos' current location their own body with the powers of Blood Sorcery and
and activities are among the Black Hand's most closely Vicissitude.
LORE
Alien Beauty: Either through Increasing this Skill costs half the usual Vykos has taken a particular interest
eshcrafting or the clever use of mod - experience points (rounded down). At in you or you have friends among the
ern body modication you have styled the Storyteller's discretion you may also Prisci council's guardians and templars.
yourself after the monstrous beauty be able to use this skill in unexpected or While you have no power or inuence
of Sascha Vykos. Your eccentric look unique ways beyond the keen of even to modify their plans, you keep your
likely borders on the inhuman and some other experts. ears open. Once per Story, you can
vampires may nd it o-putting that you Koldunic Secrets: The ancient discern the current focus of the local
would risk the Masquerade in pursuit Tzimisce were renowned for their pacts Sabbat in the Gehenna War and how it
of fashion and self-expression. You can with spirits and their unique methods of could impact your Pack. You could use
use your inhuman looks to entice the Blood Sorcery. Either through study or this knowledge to automatically succeed
curious or cow the timid. Add +2 dice to the natural talents of your blood, you at a relevant Skill test, greatly lower a
all appropriate Social die pools, though have unearthed some of those teach- Project's Diculty, or advance your own
this bonus cannot st ack with the Looks ings. When choosing a Predator type Status within the Sabbat at the Story-
merit. Regardless of how you use your you can ignore any prerequisites that teller's discretion.
appearance, you always make an impres- would prevent you from gaining dots of Last of the Dragons
sion and you gain a -2 die penalty on any Blood Sorcery, such as Bagger's Tremere (Sabbat characters only): You consider
die pool to disguise yourself. only limitation (see V5 Corebook pg. yourself as one of Vykos's disciples, and
Perfected Methods: Sascha 176). Also, when buying Blood Sorcery may even know how to nd them. They
Vykos is a noted scholar and researcher. levels the experience cost is the same as count as a ve-dot Mawla, assisting you
You've managed to glean some of if it was a clan Discipline. with your Path of Enlightenment and
their more arcane methods, either Night Moves (Sabbat char- Disciplines. Vykos will usually refuse to
through stolen notes or the vagaries acters only): For some reason you are intercede on your behalf in matters of
of blood relation. Choose one Skill privy to the plans of some of the eldest internal Sabbat politics unless you have
from Academics, Medicine, or Occult. leaders of the Black Hand. Perhaps proven yourself indispensable to them.
116
LORESHEET
LILITH THE DARK MOTHER
the unformed world. With that knowledge Lilith made
her own garden in the Land of Nod and hid it from gods
and demons under a starry cloak of endless night. In her
garden she was the immortal moon and under her light,
wild and wondrous things grew until jealousy and the
ood washed it all away. e last fragments of her world
scattered to shadow, dreams, and moonlight.
To Caine she was mother, lover, and partner, and for
that she has been demonized for 13 generations by his
L
ilith was the rst woman. Created from Adam's grasping childer. Although she was neither Kindred nor
esh but she far surpassed him in power and Cainite, she unlocked the power of Caine's curse and all
ambition. She is the Dark Queen and Mother of vampires should proclaim her mother. Her true nature is
Monsters who will bring the end of the world, unknowable and her lessons can only be learned through
according to the Church of Caine. Consort and teacher trial, tribulation, and torture.
to gods, demons, vampires and magi, Lilith was cast out Neither mortal, mage, nor vampire. Lilith is Lilith.
of Eden, but within her she brought the art of creation to
LORE
Lilith is Lilith: You know a great sexual activities like a mortal. All but any of these forms you can act in the
deal about Lilith's teachings and can the most advanced medical inspec tions rst hour of daylight and nal hour of
recite the lost Genesis Fragment reveal nothing out of the ordinary as dusk without harm or fear.
concerning her trials from memory. if you had the Lifelike Merit (see V5. Pleasure from Pain
Once per Story, you may reveal this Corebook pg. 185). Any vampire who (Bahari characters only): Lilith has taught
knowledge to add two to Intimidation drinks one Rouse check worth of blood you how to endure pain and gain power
die pools against Noddists and Church directly from you gains this benet for from it. You exult in discomfort and the
of Caine worshipers, or add two dice to one night, but cannot do so again until sharpest injury lls you with determi -
Persuasion die pools against Bahari and the next new moon. Mor tals and some nation and zeal. When your Health
followers on the Path of Lilith. Thin-bloods who drink your blood are or Willpower is Impaired (see V5.
Lilith's Oath: You have tasted also cured of their infertility as long as Corebook pg. 126), gain a +2 die bonus
the light of the moon and spoken Lilith's they regularly sup from your veins. to all of your physical die pools instead
oath from your heart. For the purposes Ahi hay Lilitu (Bahari of a penalty. Your other non-physical
of this Loresheet and all story eects, characters only): Once per Session in the die pools are hindered normally by the
you are a Bahari on the Path of Lilith. If light of the moon you can make a Rouse condition. You do not gain this bonus
you are a true believer, all supernatural check to become a cat, owl, or serpent. from being spiritually Impaired (see pg.
attempts to discern your nature such If you have the Protean power Shape- 60). Lastly, as long as your Hunger is
as Scry the Soul (see V5. Corebook pg. change (see V5 Corebook pg. 270) you less than 5 you can engage in and enjoy
250) fail unless you willingly submit. can also opt to transform into a cat, an sexual intercourse without Rousing the
The Garden Within (Bahari owl, or a snake when using that ability. Blood and regardless of your Human-
characters only): You have experienced If you have the Protean power Meta- ity rating. If you also have the Level 3
the Short Dawn and a seed of crea- morphosis (see V5 Corebook pg. 271) Loresheet ability The Garden Within,
tion grows within your soul. You have you can change into a large moth as an you can reproduce with a fertile partner
a heartbeat, can eat food, and enjoy additional form. Also, when you take on at the Storyteller's discretion.
117
LORES HEET
A DONI A
[ ]
the Cathari known for their absolute control over their
own Beast. Whispers that the so-called Serpent of the
Light had found Golconda only intensied when Adonia
survived the daytime eradication of her Pack in Mon-
treal by Second Inuisition forces. Leaked video of the
Seraphim braving direct sunlight to make their escape
went viral among the Sword of Caine and Adonia's legend
was born.
While their Host is mostly concentrated in the
O
nly a few of the Ministry's blood have so Americas, Adonia has made a semi-secret alliance with
far achieved enough notoriety to be ranked House Goratrix. ey have a common purpose in seeking
among the Seraphim. Adonia renounced to understand and transcend vampiric Banes, and how
their Clan long ago. Although they reject that knowledge could be weaponized to weaken and de-
the Antitribu moniker they proudly call themself a stroy the Antediluvians. Unlike some Seraphim, Adonia
Serpent, though never a follower or a minister. Before welcomes Tremere Antitribu and in-bloods into their
gathering a Host of their own, Adonia was a Perfecti of Host.
LORE
Masters of the Fallen World: gain two automatic successes on any roll Sorcery rituals, crafted magical weap-
Adonia's followers believe in exploiting involving understanding the nature of ons or even wards for their haven. The
the mortal world without attachment Golconda or vampiric Banes. Tremere often require favors in return
or sentiment. Vampires are the masters Angel Hearts: This world is a and will call upon the Pack to help them
of the fallen world and gatekeepers of ruined reection of the heavenly spirit track down lost tomes or capture Thin-
the pure lands of spiritual redemption. realm where all return to the source of bloods to advance their studies.
Those allied with her Host can often creation. It is the place of the vampire to Visions of Purity: Your
call upon mortal servants as long as cleave the righteous from the unworthy, Pack has communed with the Per-
they serve the Sabbat honorably. Your for the Beast is the will of the fallen fecti Adonia and understand that the
Pack has three dots it can split between world. You must learn when to submit Gehenna War will only end when the
Contacts, Herd, and Retainers. Your to its will and when to see to your weapons of heaven itself are within the
Pack loses access to these Backgrounds higher purpose. Once per Session any- Black Hand's grasp. Once per Session
if your Priest ever gains the Suspect or one in your Pack can automatically resist a Packmate can spend one Willpower
Shunned aw. Frenzy. Instead they are aicted by to ignore their clan Bane for a Scene.
Rumors of Uriel: Your Pack has either their Path or Clan Compulsion. When they suppress their clan Bane
either met Adonia or has listened to a Unholy Alliance: The the vampire's Hunger is also reduced by
recording of her sermons on the Curse Tremere of House Goratrix are deeply one to a minimum of zero. At the end
of Caine and the Beast Within. While interested in the limits of vampirism of the Scene, if the vampire's Hunger is
she never uses the word Golconda, and in ways of transcending them. You still zero, it resets to one. Also if your
many have learned to read between are among the few allies they trust with Pack has the level one Loresheet ability
the lines. Uriel's Promise is not a way to helping them pursue these secrets. Masters of the Fallen World they can
become a neutered hermit, but an act Once per Story the Pack can call upon split an additional three dots between
of acceptance of your role in the fallen their allies in House Goratrix for help. Contacts, Herd, and Retainers with the
world. Once per Story, a Packmate can Often this takes the form of Blood same limitations.
118
LORESHEET
A MIR A A L NA BIGH
[ ]
A
Noddist scholar and Malkavian Antitribu with novel ideas on
Lilith's role in Caine's journey, Amira alNabigh is arguably the
Sabbat's most powerful and outspoken proponent of what some
call the Dark Union Hersey.
Despite her ideas being regarded as dangerous by both the Bahari and
the so-called Church of Caine, Amira has gathered a powerful Host of Sab-
bat to her banner by attempting to reconcile elements of Noddist thought
with the teachings of Lilith. Although the Sabbat no longer hound heretics
within their ranks, the Church of Caine sees her as an existential threat.
Amira teaches that Lilith and Caine are one and the same, an apopthesos of
vampiric power that transcends mortal limitations. e Dark Union is not a
marriage, but a metaphysical joining of Lilith and Caine as they ascend the
throne and destroy the Antediluvians. While her teachings are a threat to
traditionalists among Lilins and Noddists, younger followers of both Paths
have ocked to her Host aer Amira's sermon spread far and wide aer the
taking of Alamut.
LORE
Fragments of the Word: Your Omens and Dreamscapes: pawns. Everyone in your Pack gains a
Pack has access to fragments of several The Land of Nod was a half formed +2 die bonus to thier Humanity + Blood
Cainite holy texts and possibly a com- place. A realm of prophecy, the echoes Potency roll to absorb powers through
plete copy of a translation of the Book of which still exist in our dreams. Eve- Diablerie (see V5 Corebook pg. 234)
of Nod or the Revelations of the Dark ryone in your Pack has a +2 die bonus and can engage in intercourse without
Mother. Once per Session, anyone in on rolls dealing with dreams. Once per Rousing the Blood.
your Pack gains one automatic success Session, a Packmate can see a nearby The Old Man's Blood:
on a roll related to the Word (see pg. mortal's or ghoul's dreams while they At Alamut, Amira proved that she is
7). Also, possession of these texts may sleep. Additionally, Malkavian Packmates favored by Caine and that Lilith bears
grant your Pack safe passage or access become sensitive to their clan's mental her no ill will. Your Pack was either
to places controlled by Noddists, Bahari, network of murmurs. Once per Story, there when she fought her way to
or even the Church of Caine. Malkavian Packmates can mentally the mountain stronghold of the Banu
Scars of Devotion: Lilith had commune with others of their blood to Haqim, or your devotion was so great
only one teacher, pain. Your Pack understand the situation in the domain. she entrusted you with a relic of her
indulges in ritual scarication to cleanse Unfortuantely, given the extra-sensory victory. Your Pack has a vial of blood
themselves of past failures . Once per powers of Malkavians, this contact will gathered from the shattered corpse of
Session, anyone in your Pack can heal likely expose them as a Sabbat vampire. the Old Man of the Mountain, the eldest
one Aggravated or Supercial Will- The Dark Union: Lilith and of the Banu Haqim who fell at Alamut's
power damage by inicting an Aggra- Caine are one, or are destinied to be gate. How your Pack chooses to use this
vated Health wound on themselves. This one. A two faced god of blood. Neither gift will have long reaching consquences.
ability also activates the rst time a Pack man nor woman. Your Pack may herald Also, all Packmates gain two dots of
member takes an Aggravated Health their coming or seek to hasten the day Fame and one dot of Status in both the
wound in combat in a Session. that they sieze the Basalt Throne and Ashirra and the Sabbat.
lay waste to the Antediluvians and their
119
LORES HEET
JEONG -BA E MOON
[ ]
a personal cadre of Cainites renowned for their second
sight, a means to penetrate deep rock, dark shadows,
and lost secrets. e mausoleums and tombs of ancients
cannot hide from the Endless Host and her followers are
forever unearthing new victims.
While many Seraphim believe the Beckoning is
fake, an elder stratagem to abandon their childer to the
masters of Gehenna, Jeong-Bae Moon thinks it's a real
M
phenomena and somehow tied to the Ashirra's mystical
oon is a feared warrior among the Sa- rites of ancestor worship. While it is true that few elders
lubri Antitribu. Her Host is one of the have tried to counter the Sabbat's Gehenna War on the
largest in the Sabbat and has Packs in ground, she is wary that they are secretly marshalling
Asia, Europe and the Americas. Jeong- their forces for a great battle. A battle she intends to win.
Bae Moon is believed to be a Unier and has a special in - Her army of fanatics say they have supped on over 20,000
terest in the destruction of Salubri and Tremere methuse- years of immortal blood and, if she wished it, few could
lahs. Diablerists ock to Moon because she has assembled deny her claim to Regent.
LORE
Never Forget: There is no written Never Forgive: The Endless Blood Trophy: Your Pack
record of the atrocities committed by Host believes that the Tremere and has loyally served the Endless Host and
the Tremere, but the clan's evil reputa- Salubri Antediluvians are either allied delved into the earth in search of sleep-
tion is well deserved and the tales are or somehow one and the same. The ing ancients. Either through diablerie
passed along by the Salubri Antitribu. power of the Pyramid was built upon or Blood Sorcery your Pack has seen
Once per Story, any Packmate can add orchestrated sacrice; and the elders of the power of their blood grow. All
+2 dice to any roll regarding the crimes the Salubri were willing accomplices to Packmates have their Blood Potency
of the Tremere clan or the tragic history the systematic murder of their blood- increased by one. Blood Potency cannot
of the Salubri clan. line. This has led to a strange and uneasy be increased above 3 in this manner.
Buried Secrets: It takes more partnership between House Goratrix I See You: Once per
than belief to unearth the blood of and Moon's followers. These wayward Chronicle, you may call upon Jeong-
the ancients . A network of well placed Tremere seem intent on disrupting Bae Moon to give you the location of
ghouls, dominated engineers, and co- any attempt to rebuild the so-called a sleeping ancient. She may not know
erced construction companies support Tremere Pyramid and the Endless Host what dangers await you there, but will
the Endless Hosts eorts. Once per is happy to help. The Pack gains House usually make it plain if she thinks the
Story, the Pack can call upon three dots Goratrix as a three dot Mawla and they task is beyond your Pack's capabilities.
of Allies who assist with excavating bur- may individually buy levels in the House If your Pack ever successfully destroys
ied or otherwise hard to reach tombs. Goratrix Loresheet (see pg. 115) even if an ancient based upon the information
These Allies are usually mortal compa- they already have another Loresheet. If gained by this ability, your Pack gains
nies with inuence and resources, but at the Pack's relationship is ever exposed Jeong-Bae Moon as a ve-dot Mawla
least one ghoul family is also believed to publicly to non-Sabbat vampires the for the remainder of the Chronicle and
be allied with the Endless Host. Mawla dots are lost (see V5 Corebook may be able to parlay this victory into
Gaining and Losing Advantages pg. 180). increased Sabbat Status.
120
LORESHEET
PARIS ELJAGUAR
[ ]
T
he last surviving Dominion of Mexico City, a title that gave them
authority over hundreds of the Black Hand's elite soldiers and
assassins. elJaguar holds together the last remnants of the Black
Hand in South America and refuses to abandon the Sabbat's
strongholds without bleeding their enemies at every step. While their own
clan is unknown, elJaguar's Host is mostly compromised of Antitribu from
the Gangrel, Lasombra, Nosferatu, and Toreador. A protégé of the deranged
Black Hand elder Elimelech, Paris elJaguar is a Unier with an encyclopedic
knowledge of military tactics, counterinsurgency, and psychological warfare.
In Mexico City, their Host has terrorized the occupying Camarilla forces
and forced them to call upon their Ashirra allies for aid. While the Ivory
Tower consolidates their numbers in the so-called 'blue zone' in the Polanco
district, the Anarchs and Sabbat ght a shadow war for the rest of the city.
Although only the Sabbat dare walk the ruins o Teotihuacan aer night
fall as it is rumored the site holds the rone of Caine, where the last Regent
will call their court aer the fall of the masters of Gehenna.
LORE
Black Ops: Your Pack commands a all understand how to bait a trap and perhaps something even weirder. Once
group of trained mortals committed to target the weak points in your enemies per story, the creature comes to your
damaging the status quo. Through the defenses. Once per Story, your Pack aid within one to ten hours of being
use of blood bonds and Disciplines they can prevent the repair or covering up called. In return your Ally may call upon
are kept invested in a shadow war they of a Masquerade breach caused by your you to help with its own problems.
don't understand. Once per Story, your Pack's actions. When another vampire Some Noddists believe these alliances
Pack can call upon this three dot group attempts to cover up this Masquerade are forbidden by the Book of Nod and
of Allies to perform a dangerous mission breach, they instead become the pri- you may have to defend your Ally from
on your behalf. They have access to mary suspect for the initial crimes unless other Sabbat. Either by justifying your
military grade rearms, advanced body they spend at least ve dots in appro - friendship based on the Word or by
armor, and civilian land and sea vehicles. priate Backgrounds to hide themselves winning a Monomacy against those who
Settling Scores: Your Pack has from hunters and others. denounce such relations.
access to secret lists and hard won intel- Pyramid of the Moon: Before the Throne: Your
ligence on those who have betrayed the Vampires aren't the only monsters that Pack can depend on a committed cadre
Sword of Caine. One day you'll make prowl the ruins and pyramids of Mexico of Sabbat Cainites awaiting the night
sure they pay for their crimes. Anyone City. Perhaps your Pack saved one such when the Sabbat can reclaim their lost
in your Pack gains two automatic suc- creature from hunters or won its trust territor y and rule openly as Caine did in
cesses on any Investigation or Politics through a shared faith in Lilith or a Enoch. These Sabbat serve elJaguar but
roll when looking into vampires who clever ruse. Regardless of how, you've more importantly they serve the dream
defected from the Sabbat or who claim arranged for the creature to nd succor of the Black Hand reborn. Your Pack can
to have recently joined the Black Hand. among elJagaur's Host though ultimately either take elJaguar as a ve dot Mawla
Going Loud: Your Pack has its actions are your responsibility. Your or split six dots among Haven, Herd,
studied under elJaguar or perhaps even Pack has a four dot supernatural Ally: Resources, and Retainers.
with the hidden Seraph Elimelech. You a werewolf, a wraith, a changeling, or
121
LORES HEET
JACK DOLORES
[ ]
the Second Inuisition and it is believed only his ares-
sively nomadic unlifestyle has spared him from a similar
fate.
Jack was an early adherent of the Path of the Sun, but
many suspect he now follows Cathari. His Host is a mixed
force of vampires and ghouls who dream of ghting on
the front lines of the Gehenna War.
Despite his youth and weak blood, Dolores also claims
to hear the call of the Beckoning. As a nomad he con -
J ack is the only in-blood among the Seraphim,
and his Host is unsurprisingly dominated by the
youngest Antitribu and Caiti. While he's cer-
tainly demonstrated the martial prowess
and political acumen reuired of a Seraphim, his
youth has also marked him as impulsive and incautious.
stantly travels in search of new recruits and oen nds a
very receptive audience among in-bloods suering un-
der the rule of the Camarilla. A Prince can uickly nd
himself under siege by a unied and newly enlightened
horde of duskborn aer only a few nights of Jack's ery
sermons and message of liberation.
More than a few of Jack's Packs have been destroyed by
LORE
Signs and Shitposts: Jack’s fol- to serve the Pack and unders tand the also make use of blackmail, bribery, and
lowers share information over social basics of Sabbat ideology. They may dominate to coerce mortals into giving
media with coded slang and tag domains even try to adhere to one of the Paths up advanced weaponry for the cause.
they travel through with street art of Enlightenment. Once per Story, your Pack can arm
ciphers. This lets other nomadic Sabbat Hunters Hunted: Though the themselves with military grade weapons
understand what dangers and opportu- Second Inquisition has been on Jacks and equipment. If there is a question as
nities await them within a new domain. trail for years, Jack also keeps an eye on to what kind of equipment is available,
When entering a new domain or city, them through his mort al allies. Though the Pack has access to anything that can
your Pack gains two automatic successes your Pack may only nd out minutes be acquired with three-dots of Contacts
on any roll to understand the vampiric in advance, you can always depend on and Resources. Mortal authorities and
political situation as it currently stands. some kind of advance warning when the Second Inquisition will spring to
The Storyteller doesn’t have to reveal these hunters st age an ambush. Once action if this material is used indiscreetly
any well-hidden secrets, but your Pack per Story, your Pack can redirect such and this may even lead to consequences
will often know which power brokers an ambush at another group of vam- for the Pack's allies and mentors.
are running the show and who their pires if you know their current location Jack's Back: Your Pack has
rivals are within the domain. or Haven by feeding false information to become an indispensable part of the
Clean Hands: Mortals are not the hunters. At the Storyteller's discre- Host and you can count on Jack to have
only useful, but necessary to ght the tion, misleading the hunters in this way your back. Your Pack gains either Jack
Gehenna War. Jack's Packs treat their could also negate early warnings for the Dolores as a ve-dot Mawla or six dots
ghouls as potential recruits and see their rest of the Story as they temporarily to split among a group of Thin-blood
service to the Sabbat as their chrysalis improve their operational security. and ghoul Retainers that serve your
stage. Your Pack can spend three-dots Weapons Cache: Jack's Pack with almost suicidal devotion.
on up to three Retainers, these are Packs hide weapons as they move and
ghouls who have willingly consented mark the location of armories. They
122
LORESHEET
GENEVRA
[ ]
G enevra Giovanni never denies the rumors of her own dia-
blerie, but the secret of her return has made her the focus of
devotion for many Reapers and Hecata Antitribu. Once a
powerful ally of the Black Hand, Genevra was thought de-
voured by the necromancers o Venice. She has somehow managed to return
from the nal death. Despite the elimination of her rivals by the Hecata,
Genevra has no interest in claiming kinship with the enslaved remnants of
the Giovanni. Instead she found a home among the Antitribu Hecata, Har-
bingers, and Samedi who remained loyal to the Sabbat. While her inuence
in the mortal world has diminished since she was diablerized, she has re-
turned with spectral allies and a uniue insight into the nature of diablerie,
nal death, and immortality. Her Host is relatively small when compared
to other Seraphim, but many powerful followers of Death and the Soul are
counted among them. ose that follow Genevra believe that the secret to
destroying the Antediluvians lies in commanding death itself.
LORE
Haunted Ritae: Genevra's fol- tributes gave her the power to return is said their unique bond survived the
lowers have a special knack for making from the underworld. While she holds nal death. Now the ancient murderer
their havens particularly hospitable to no sway over the newly formed Second serves her personally. Once per Story
the worst the underworld has to oer. Inquisition, she still holds sway over a your Pack may ask Genevra to call upon
The Pack gains a two dot Haven with few vampire hunters. The Pack gains the Aajav-Khan to eliminate an enemy
the Flaw: Haunted (●). The Haven is a three-dots in Contact s (Hunters). These of the Black Hand. Genevra will always
nexus of Spectres (see V5 Corebook, are independent hunters who will not want something in exchange for her
pg. 377) who can be bribed, persuaded, hesitate to turn on the Pack if they help, but will only deny these requests
or bullied into helping the Pack at the discover the Cainites' true nature. if your Pack has proved untrustworthy
Storyteller's discretion. Abyssal Mentor: The Pack in the past. Use the Path of Caine Slayer
A Smart I nvestment: The gains Genevra as a four dot Mawla. She (see V5 Sabbat pg. 35) or the Blood-
Hecata Antitribu Seraphim resources is very happy to teach them Disciplines thirsty Sheri (see V5 Corebook pg.
run deep, and she is not stingy when it or Oblivion Ceremonies, though she 375) for his stats, but add Protean 5 to
comes to sharing them with those who often expects much in return from her his list of Disciplines. When Jalan-Aajav
will make good use of them. The Pack pupils. Genevra is also a unique source is destroyed, or completes his task,
may split four dots among Resources of lore concerning the history of the he fades away in a wisp of smoke and
and Inuences. Once per Story the Pack Black Hand, the Giovanni, and the so- shadow but always returns to Genevra's
can reassign these dots as they see t. called underworld. side. Although his supernatural nature is
unclear, in all respects Jalan-Aajav should
Dangerous Allies: Genevra The Khan Jalan-Aajav:
be treated as a vampire and powers of
once used her connections to manipu- Reportedly destroyed by the Second
Oblivion and/or Wards against spirits
late church hunters on behalf of the Inquisition, the former Khan of the Black
have no special eect on him.
Black Hand. In return Sabbat Remov- Hand Jalan-Aajav is rumored to often
ers would sometimes pledge the souls be at Genevra's side. Whether he is
of their victims to her. Perhaps these Cainite or Spectre is unknown, but it
123
LORES HEET
N AWA L B I N T H A W A
[ ]
W
hen Nawal answered the Gehenna War she focused her at-
tention on the strongholds of the Ashirra and Banu Haqim.
Her training as a former Black Hand Dominion came into
play as she politically isolated the overcondent Judges and
craed the years-long siege that would topple their greatest fortress.
Nawal seeks nothing less than to be the Regent and the vessel of Caine's
glory. e Basalt rone calls to her in dreams, and she suspects that her
bloodline fullls a prophecy that will see her end the reign of the Antedilu-
vians. is preoccupation also means Nawal tends to favor Antitribu of the
Banu Haqim. Her most trusted captains are marked with a magical brand of
a black crescent moon that matches her own.
With the defection of the Lasombra, Nawal cultivates younger Sabbat
by promising them positions of power. She recruits Packs that are not only
bloodthirsty on the battleeld, but capable in political duels. Nawal consid-
ers Amira alNabigh her greatest rival for Regent and envies the personal
glory Amira won for herself at the gates of Alamut.
LORE
Web of Boons: Nawal has used her for a Scene. Sabbat elders may oer you Drink Deep: Those who
network of spies and removers to bribe special aid, but they will also understand serve Nawal's Host are taught how to
and blackmail Emirs, Princes, and Barons. that you are Nawal's personal spies. best destroy others of their kind. The
As such, she has an impressive cache of Your Secrets are Sweet: secret methods of the Banu Haqim and
favors and boons owed to her through Even the secrets of the other Seraphim the Removers of the Black Hand. Once
an intricate web of proxies. Once per are not safe from Nawal's spies. Once per Story, when a Packmate inicts Ag -
Story your Pack may ask her to call in per Story, your Pack can replicate a one gravated Health damage on a vampire,
one of these favors to gain a Minor or two dot ability from another Sera- they gain two additional dice on the
boon against a non-Sabbat vampire (see phim's Loresheet. The replicated power attack roll. Alternatively, this ability can
V5 Corebook pg. 315). works exactly the same as described in be used once per Story by a Packmate
Marked by the Black Hand: the original Loresheet . to gain a +2 die bonus on the Humanity
Nawal rewards her most capable fol- + Blood Potency roll to absorb powers
Dearest Daughter of Eve:
lowers with induction into her personal through Diablerie (see V5 Corebook
Nawal adheres to a strict form of the
retinue. Everyone in your Pack is marked pg. 234).
Path of Caine that exults in her clan's
with a magical brand on either their addiction to vampiric blood. Usually only
palm, back, or chest. This black crescent Banu Haqim catch her eye, but she also
used to serve as a badge of oce for mentors Sabbat that have proven their
the Sabbat's secret police and enforcers, personal loyalty to her. Nawal is a ve-
but that is a distinction lost to all but the dot Mawla willing to assist your Pack
Sect's elders and lore keepers. Once per with Paths of Enlightenment, Disciplines,
Session when anyone in your Pack re- and Blood Sorcery Rituals. She is a
veals this brand, everyone in your Pack demanding mentor and those Packs that
increases their Sabbat Status to two- fail to meet her expectations can quickly
dots and suppresses the Suspect aw see her turn into an adversary.
124
LORESHEET
OSCAR A BA DÍ A
[ ]
O scar Abadía wasn't meant to survive his rst night as a
vampire. A shovel head created during the mass Embrace of
hundreds, he was thrown into the meat grinder of the Ge -
henna War but somehow survived. Oscar took uickly to the
brutal unlife of the Sabbat and became a respected scout, spy, and provoca-
teur. Although he is disliked by traditionalists, Oscar has a devoted follow-
ing among young recruits and Cathari hedonists. His uick wit, adept use
of social media, and modern take on Sabbat ideals have led many to believe
he could rebuild the Sabbat as its next Regent. Oscar’s tech savvy has made
him the youngest of the Seraphim to be considered a serious contender for
the rone of Caine. Encrypted web portals and charismatic hyperbole
are Abadía's trump card, leaving many older Seraphim to wonder how an
upstart could have eclipsed them in popularity. His "Our Blood" podcast
has even gained a following among Anarchs, who might not realize his true
allegiances as Oscar uses humor to tackle subjects such as diablerie and the
Beast within.
LORE
Your Blood: Oscar doesn't directly Our Blood: Knowing what Please Welcome...: Your
contradict the Antitribu orthodoxy of makes your enemy tick is a good place Pack helps produce and provide content
the Sabbat, but he does delight in poking to start if you're planning on killing for Oscar's social media. Maybe some
fun at his own mysterious Clan identity their daddies . Oscar's quiz show like of you have even been on air with the
and often refers to himself as a "tiktok breakdown of the clan founders and Seraphim himself. You gain Oscar as a
poseur", "Facebook refugee", or "me- their lineages is a popular, if not entirely three-dot Mawla and everyone in your
melord". He encourages his followers to accurate, feature of his podcast called Pack gains the benet of having been
be unafraid of what makes them weak, "The Thirteen". Once per Story, your Zeroed (see V5 Corebook pg. 192).
because it also makes them strong. Pack can ask the Storyteller for one Additionally, everyone in your Pack gets
Everyone in your Pack can re-roll all the piece of information regarding the pow- +2 dice when rolling to resist attempts
dice in a Rouse check when using one of ers, weaknesses, or modern issues of to research or discover their online
their clan Disciplines once per Session. any one clan of vampires. activities.
On Our Next Episode: Oscar We Did it Reddit: Your
is constantly innovating how he gets his Pack has worked with Oscar in the past
message out and guring out how to and he taught you a few tricks about
listen to a live broadcast can be a puzzle investigative journalism and eavesdrop-
in and of itself. Internet radio on the ping. If that fails, you've also learned
dark web, hidden Youtube channels, and the best places to ask ques tions online.
scrambled Insta photos are all ways he's Once per Session, one of your Pack-
reached out to his listeners in the past. mates gains two automatic successes on
Once per Story, everyone in your Pack an Awareness, Investigation, or Technol-
may listen to one of Oscar’s live broad- ogy roll.
casts and recover one point of Willpow-
er or reduce their Hunger by one.
125
LORES HEET
THE OUROBOURS SYNOD
[ ]
the minds of hundreds of psychically sensitive mortals
along the East Coast. Fleshcraed servants and Koldunic
Blood Sorcery made the Synod stubborn opponents, but
eventually they had to cede their territory. e Second
Inuisition and the call to devour elders farther aeld
forced the Synod to uproot themselves.
While the details are unclear, it's believed the Synod
gathered a following in Europe and North Africa as their
Host feasted on ancients hidden in the Atlas and Car-
T
he Ourobours Synod are a group of Lasombra pathian mountains. Although their numbers are small,
and Tzimisce Bishops that briey claimed the Synod's Host is supported by powerful war ghouls
Praxis over parts of Delaware and New Jersey and a cadre of vampire warriors infused with ancient
during the early nights of the Gehenna War. blood and procient in mind warping dream magic. Now
eir rivalry with Philadelphia's Hanged Man coven led the ends have refocused their attention on old enemies
to a proliferation of magical "dream warfare". eir battles in North America.
unleashed a plague of nightmare creatures and poisoned
LORE
Face O: The Synod has many Tzi- your Pack can see a nearby mortal's or Territorial Claims: The
misce within its ranks happy to change ghoul's dreams while they sleep. When Synod is intent on reestablishing the
a face on a moments notice. Once per this information is used for blackmail or Sabbat's claim to cities and domains.
Story, everyone in your Pack can change persuasion it adds +2 dice to an appro- They happily provide resources to Packs
their faces through eshcraft. As long priate skill roll. A ghoul or key mortal willing to put down roots and challenge
as they retain these new faces they also servant might also reveal information the other Sects for Praxis. Add three
suppress Mask aws such as Known that could be worth a minor boon if dots to your Arena's Grasp trait (see
Blankbody or Known Corpse for the traded to the right Camarilla or Anarch pg. 44) as long as your Pack maintains at
rest of the Story. It may become more vampire. least one uncompromised Haven.
dicult to use backgrounds such as House of Flesh: The Synod Vozhd Unboxed: The
Fame, Inuence, Resources, or Status keeps safe houses all over the world. Synod have a few Vozhd under their
as long as their faces remain changed. These bolt holes are often spacious, but control and grant them to Packs that are
A Packmate can revert to their original rundown and poorly kept. Piles of junk willing to stake a claim on their behalf.
face by Rousing blood as if they were and mementos from former Tzmisce Once per Story, your Pack can call upon
healing a wound. The Nosferatu clan tenants and hoarders have to be cleared a Vozhd war ghoul. This beast is not
Bane is not suppressed by this ability out before the space can be properly subtle and will go on a rampage the rst
and their Bane Severity is added as a used. The Pack gains a three-dot Haven chance it's let loose (see V5 Companion
bonus to any rolls to discern their true with the one dot aw Creepy. As an pg 23). If the creature is wasted or the
identity. added bonus, the Synod provides two Pack fails to claim territory through its
Dream Thieves: Your Pack has monstrous Szlatcha (see V5 Companion use, the Synod will think twice before
been trained in the basics of dream pg. 22) to maintain the expansive prop- granting them another in the future.
stealing. Everyone in your Pack has a erty. As long as the ghouls are regularly
+2 die bonus on all rolls dealing with fed, they will serve the Pack loyally.
dreams. Once per Session anyone in
126
LORESHEET
CLAUDIA BYRD
[ ]
T he Ministry are not gentle when bringing a new childe into the
fold and Claudia’s experience was no dierent. She rejected her
abusive sire’s claims that her suering at his hands would make
her stronger. Claudia defected to the Sabbat aer a particularly
gruelling night in which her sire yet again tried to tear away at her person -
hood. ough the Black Hand weren’t any gentler, at least Claudia chose
them for herself.
Now she settles scores with the Ministry by toying with the Anarchs and
undermining the so-called Church of Caine and Temple of Set. Claudia is a
Unier, and before the Gehenna War she called herself an Archbishop. She
was one of the rst Sabbat to gain a following as a Seraphim aer taking
credit for the failure of the Camarilla to absorb the Followers of Set into
their ranks. Claudia's Second Skin Host is known for their skills of inltra-
tion and they excel at pitting allies against each other. Since she knows the
Ministry's tricks so well the Anarchs have few defenses against the subtlety
of her manipulations.
LORE
Culture Map: Your Pack has picked Cash and Carry: Like many fall for this particular ruse. Ever yone in
up a great deal of the lexicon and lingo Uniers, Claudia encourages her Packs your Pack gains two dots in Mask. Once
of the Ministry and Anarch Movement. to develop a deep network of dispos- per Story, everyone in your Pack can
Your Pack knows how to speak to able mortals with useful skills and gain one dot of Anarch Status for the
Anarch vampires and can even identify resources. While they should never remainder of the Story. This cover is lo-
well-known vampires in the movement become indispensable, mortals can cal and your Pack will need to convince
without too much trouble. Your Pack provide an extra layer of protection other Anarchs to vouch for them if they
gains +2 dice on any roll to identify an that can make all of the dierence. Your travel to another city or domain.
Anarch or Ministry vampire and you all Pack gains four dots to split between Blackmail: Thanks to
can use their slang with ease. Contacts and Resources. The Contacts Claudia’s intelligence networks, you are
Gang Town: Your Pack keeps up should be in the police, criminals, or able to enter a city with some damning
with the people running the streets. reporters; while the Resources should information about one of the local lead-
Mortals are useful tools, and often the be predominately invested in cash, cars, ers, whether a high priest of the Minis-
most useful of them are the ones that and stolen goods. try, or an Anarch gang leader. Once per
live where the rubber meets the road. Alternate IDs: Claudia un- Story, your Pack may ask Claudia to spill
Executives and politicians may think derstands that the virtual world is an im- her secrets to gain a Major boon against
they're in charge, but gangs c an bring a portant battleeld in the Gehenna War. one Anarch or Ministry vampire (see V5
city to its k nees if properly motivated. She depends on her younger followers Corebook pg. 315). At the Storyteller's
Especially the most powerful gang on to navigate that space to piece together discretion your Pack can suggest a target
every block, the boys in blue. Your Pack false mortal identities for her inltrators for this boon, but Claudia will always
gains three dots of Inuence in either and spies. This also allows her to fake prefer to target Ministry vampires -
Street Criminals or the Police. Anarch credentials for her most trusted especially those that serve the Temple
operatives. Unfortunately the Ashirra of Set.
and Camarilla are too old fashioned to
127
LORES HEET
THE BRATOVITCH
[ ]
e Bratovitch ghoul family has served the Tzimisce
since the clan ruled as Beys and Voivodes in Eastern Eu-
rope and Asia Minor. eir family hatred for werewolves
and Fair-Folk was born from clearing their masters' lands
of such pests, and their compounds are oen trapped and
warded against such creatures. Even the youngest among
the Bratovitch carry silver and cold iron when they leave
the safety of their compounds, and their pets are oen
specially trained to hunt those cursed with shiing skin.
B
ratovitch have a gruesome reputation as can- In the modern nights the insular and rural Brato-
nibals and kennel masters that are overly fond vitch have survived mostly intact. While a few of their
of their pets. eir foul temperament, paranoia, matriarchs have betrayed the Sabbat to serve Tzimisce
and rustic lifestyle also win them few friends Anarchs, most of them have remained loyal to the Black
among the living. Ironically, the ualities that make them Hand. eir skills as beast handlers, torturers, and war-
odious company, also make them incredibly useful allies dens serve the needs of the Gehenna War now.
and tools for the Sword of Caine.
LORE
Kennel Masters: You gain a two- grovelling and an obsequious desire to the back roads exceptionally well , but
dot Retainer. This is an animal ghoul serve the blood of the Old Clan. You they also have deep family connec tions
trained by the Bratovitch, usually a wolf, gain a Bratovitch Revenant (see pg. 99) with local authorities. Treat the Brato-
owl or large dog. These beasts are as a three-dot Retainer. The Diculty vitch as three dots in Allies and three
trained to deal with the supernatural of all of your Animalism powers and the dots in Inuence (Transportation).
and are never spooked by the scent or Fleshcrafting Protean power (see V5 Family Compound: You
unnatural appearance of lupines, fair Companion pg. 27) are reduced by 1 are welcome among the notoriously
folk, vampires, or wraiths. when your Revenant is present and able inhospitable Bratovitch family and you
Hunting Buddies: You gain to assist you. Also, unless you command know the location of one of their family
three-dots in Contact s (Bratovitch) and otherwise, a Bratovitch Revenant will compounds. The family itself aids you
gain a Specialty in either Animal Ken, often carry a silver or cold iron knife as a three-dot Mawla. You can use their
Survival, or Occult. The Bratovitch have or cleaver on their person to ward o estate as a three-dot Haven, although
access to weaponry, hunting equipment, lupines and the fair folk. you are expected to keep the location
o-road vehicles, and rare gear such as Country Escort: The wilds secret. Once per Story you can call
bullets, bear traps, and torture tools are dangerous, but the Bratovitch un- upon a Bratovitch matriarch to tutor
made of silver or cold iron. derstand how best to protect their un- you in Animalism, Potence, or Protean.
Loyal to the Old Ways: dead charges. Heavily armed with both Although they cannot teach Dominate
The Bratovitch are superstitious, surly, silver and cold iron on hand, Bratovitch powers, they can teach any Protean
and foul tempered, but having one as a convoys make short work of lupines or amalgam that shapes esh and bone,
servant is often worth putting up with hunters obstructing the passage of their such as Vicissitude or Horrid Form (see
their attitude. With a Tzimisce master passengers. Once per Session, you can V5 Companion pg. 27). Their methods
though a Bratovitch's temper ament call upon armed Bratovitch guardians also reduce any time needed to learn
often shifts with an o-putting sudden- when you travel over long distances or these powers by half.
ness, their gruness being replaced with cross-country. Not only do they know
128
LORESHEET
THE THRONE OF CAINE
[ ]
N
oddist scholars refer to a time of strife and tribulation when
the Dark Father and Dark Mother will strule for dominion
at the end of days. While some believe this refers to Caine and
Lilith ghting over the resolution of Gehenna, others suspect
that the Dark Father may actually be an anti-Caine, an Antediluvian posing
as the architect of Enoch. Whomever the master of Gehenna will be, there is
one symbol that almost all Noddists agree upon. e rone of Caine.
From the ashes of Gehenna, a new master will rule an empire of blood;
and from a Basalt rone they shall judge mortal and vampire alike. While
the throne is oen spoken of metaphorically in the Black Hand as the right
to rule, some believe it truly exists. An artifact from lost Enoch or perhaps
even the land of Nod. ough even the Regents of the Sabbat never claimed
the throne as their own. ey styled themselves as caretakers awaiting the
return of the rst vampire. Only Caine can claim the Basalt rone and
wield the Sabbat as a sword, but who's to say that Caine has not chosen a
successor among the faithful?
LORE
Ritual Absolution: Your skill with the Prisci of the Black Hand . You gain again in the future, a savvy Cainite might
the Ritae have impressed the faithful , two dots of Sabbat Status or a two dot nd a way to dissuade them.
and some say you are favored by Caine Mawla. Once per Session, you can re- The Throne Awaits: The
or Lilith. Bishops and Archbishops will gain one Willpower or you can heal one Throne of Caine stands empty and the
often invite your Pack to High Holidays Aggravated Willpower damage suered Sabbat has never stood so long without
in hopes that you will demonstrate your by another Sabbat by speaking to them a Regent to lead them. It's unclear why
methods and procedures. Gain one-dot about your faith or destiny. the Prisci council has yet to elevate one
in Ritae and the one-dot Innovator Political Creatures: You've of the remaining Cardinals, but many
advantage (see pg. 93). started to gather a following within the suspect it is because none of them
Witness Me: You were the focus Sabbat. Whatever your ambitions, you command enough respect to unite the
of a dark miracle and word of it has understand that you'll need allies and Sword of Caine. Especially with the
spread among the Black Hand. Perhaps servants to carry out your plans when rise of the Seraphim and their almost
Caine appeared to you in a vision or the time is right. If an opening ever pre- cultish following. Few Sabbat could even
you survived against impossible odds sents itself in the Black Hand's chaotic name one of the aloof Cardinals that
by faith alone. Regardless of the details, hierarchy you will have the tools to take seemingly spend their time marshalling
you gain one dot of Fame and Status in advantage of the situation. You gain four resources and logistics while the young
the Sabbat. Once per Story, you can use dots that you can split among Allies, ght and die on the front lines. You
your legend to bypass an obstacle when Mawla, and Retainers. Once per Story, gain one dot of Status and Fame in the
it is appropriate. The Storyteller can use you can decline a Monomacy (see pg. Sabbat, can never gain the Suspect or
your story to send enemies after you. 64) challenge without losing face or con- Shunned Flaw, and your name is often
ceding to the challenger. You cannot be raised as a potential Regent. Admirers
Supreme Confdence: Sabbat
challenged to a Monomacy by anyone and rivals will seek you out.
outside of your Pack look to you for
leadership and rumors have begun to for the rest of the Session. While noth-
spread that you have support among ing prevents them from challenging you
129
LORES HEET
THE ZANTOSA
[ ]
As is common among Tzimisce bred ghoul families,
the Revenants of the Zantosa live on communal estates
until they come of age or pledge themselves to a vampire
master. Although Revenants live unusually long lives and
can develop vampire-like powers as they get older, most
of their supernatural talents are only unlocked if they
regularly feed from a Cainite. e Zantosa live idle lives of
pleasure and sport, pursuing the ner things during the
day and revelling in lth at night. e Tzimisce carefully
A
ghoul family renowned for its debauchery, mingled the bloodlines of several prized lineages centuries
hedonism, and wealth, the Zantosa served ago to produce the Zantosa with the predictable result of
the Tzimisce for centuries before pledging creating a brood of spoiled and privileged dilettantes. In
their loyalty to the Sabbat. In the modern the Sabbat they proved their worth as procurers of blood
nights, the Zantosa are greatly diminished. While many and cash, even though their past cozy relationship with
still serve the Sabbat, a few of their patriarchs have re- unaligned Tzimisce ancients always made them suspect.
verted to serving elders of the Tzimsice clan directly.
LORE
Party People: You have friends blood. You gain a Zantosa Revenant Vice Lords: Despite their
among the Zantosa and they're always (see pg. 99) as a three dot Retainer. The rich tastes and high society trappings,
happy to party with you. No strangers Diculty of all of your Presence powers the Zantosa are at heart a criminal
to vampires and the cruel ways of the and the Fleshcrafting Protean power enterprise. Branches of this ghoul family
Sabbat, they always know where to nd (see V5 Companion pg. 27) are reduced have their ngers in almost every aspect
willing victims. You gain a two dot Herd. by 1 when your Revenant is present and of the illegal market for sex, drugs, and
This is a group of blood dolls that are able to assist you. gambling. As a condant of the family
regularly plied with alcohol, designer Pleasure Palace: You they are willing to use their consider-
drugs, and money by the Zantosa. are welcome among the infamously able inuence on your behalf. They are
A Taste of the Good Life: The hedonistic Zantosa family and know also a great source of gossip concerning
Zantosa treat you like family and maybe the location of one of their las t family the comings and goings of the eldes t
you were in your breathing days. You estates. The family itself aids you as a among the Tzimisce clan. You gain ve
gain three dots in Contacts ( Zantosa) two dot Mawla and you can use their dots in Inuence (Vice). Once per Story,
and you gain a Specialty in either Per- estate as a three dot Haven, although you can ask the Zantosa to identify the
suasion, Subterfuge, or Occult. While you are expected to keep its location resting place or domain of a Tzimisce
the Zantosa can provide any informa- a secret. Once per Story you can call elder. If the elder comes to harm after
tion or gear regularly available to the upon a Zantosa patriarch to tutor you in the Zantosa reveal its location to you,
rich and famous, they can also procure Auspex, Presence, or Protean. Although this Loresheet abilit y and the Inuence it
drugs and black market goods. they cannot teach Dominate powers , grants become unusable for the rest of
they can teach any Protean amalgam the Story and at the Story teller's discre-
Pledged to Service: The Zan-
that shapes esh and bone such as tion you may have to work to regain the
tosa are known for their grace and cun-
Vicissitude or Horrid Form (see V5 Zantosa's trust. Though this family of
ning. As prized vassals of the Old Clan,
Companion pg. 27). Their methods half libertines rarely hold grudges for long.
many were groomed for the Embrace
and several Tzimisce elders share their any time needed to learn powers.
130
LORESHEET
THE OAXACA DIARIES
[ ]
T
he Diet of Oaxaca was the last Synod or gathering of Sabbat
Scholars before the Black Hand abandoned its old ways for the
permanent war footing of the Gehenna War. While the exact
purpose of this gathering has been lost in the intervening few
decades, the notes and commentaries of several anonymous participants
have been gathered into the text known as the Oaxaca Diaries.
While these notes are not held in the same regard as the Book of Nod,
they have inspired several Numinous Ritae and have shaped the Sabbat's
modern thinking on the nature of the Antediluvians and Gehenna. e dia -
ries also predicted the betrayal of the Sabbat Lasombra and blamed several
Lasombra elders for the violent collapse of the Synod when the gathering
refused to acknowledge several key ndings. e most controversial idea to
emerge from the Diet at the time was the continued existence of the Las -
ombra and Tzimisce Antediluvians. While many accepted this as the failure
of their elders, the gathered Lasombra saw it as a fatal challenge to their
leadership by the Old Clan.
LORE
I Read Your Diary: You have a Monçada's Last Testament: You gain one dot in the Ritae Advantage
mostly complete copy of the Oaxaca It is said that the head of Ambrosio Luis (see pg. 93) and you know one Numi-
Diaries. Once per Session gain a +2 die Monçada spoke for several nights after nous Ritae of your choice (see pg. 67).
bonus on a roll related to the Word. his decapitation. The fallen Cardinal's Also once per Story, you can ask the
Possession of this text also gives you dead lips revealed that many Lasombra Storyteller for one piece of information
one dot of Status when dealing with in the Ashirra, Sabbat, and Camarilla concerning the myths and lore of the
Noddists, Lasombra elders, or the he- belonged to an ancestor worshiping Antediluvians.
retical Church of Caine Gehenna cult. cult known as the Amici. The Oaxaca Lessons Unlearned: The
Denying the Blood: The Oax- Diaries transcribe this posthumous Diet of Oaxaca was the last Synod of
aca Diaries make a distinction between confession and detail the pogroms of the Sabbat. Many within the Black Hand
the usurpers or false Antediluvians the Amicis elders within the Sabbat. You would pay well to learn the lost secrets
and the true Antediluvians known as receive a +2 bonus to any die pool to of this gathering or to cover up their
the master s of Gehenna. While the resist Oblivion powers and you cannot own role in its failure. Upon gaining this
original clan founders are believed to be be held, restrained, or grappled by Loresheet ability, either gain a Sabbat
"beyond the touch of death", the false shadow powers of any kind. Also once elder as a ve dot Mawla or take a level
Antediluvians could be denied or even per Story you can ask the Storyteller ve Seraphim Loresheet ability of your
supplanted. Whatever portion of power for one piece of information concerning choice instead. You cannot already pos-
they stole from the ancient s could be Lasombra history. sess this Seraphim Loresheet ability and
stolen in turn. Once per Session, reduce Armed Against Aeons: its eects only benet you, not your en-
your Bane severity by 2 for one night. If Along with notes and conjecture con- tire Pack. If you gain a Mawla from your
this reduces Bane severity to zero, you cerning the nature of the Antediluvians, choice, they will take possession of your
also ignore Clan and Path Compulsions the Diaries also include a collection of physical copies of the Oaxaca Diaries in
for the remainder of the night. notes and commentaries on methods to exchange for mentoring you.
combat and defy the Third Generation.
131
LORES HEET
CHRYSALIS OF FLESH
[ ]
decide if they are willing to sacrice their own bodies in
pursuit of such strange and untested powers. To shape
mortals into twisted mockeries or even make furniture of
those unfortunate enough to cross their path. As Cainites
delve ever deeper in to the Chrysalis of Flesh, they will
nd the changes run deeper than their skin and bone.
"We are timeless, but we need not be unchanging. Both
in form and consciousness we strive for perfection, but
O
nly Cainites devoted and familiar with not necessarily order. ere is beauty in chaos guided by a
the strange practices of the Tzimisce are worthy cause." –Vykos
comfortable with the Path of Metamorpho-
sis. While ostensibly a sub-path of Cathari,
the Tzimisce speak of "the old ways" that can unlock the
true power hidden in their esh and souls. Sabbat and
Tzimisce vampires that stumble upon these secrets must
LORE
Phrygian Codex: You have a rare heavier than a set of car keys, but could Wake the Dragon: You
diary of a Tzimisce Alkimista or Meta- form a message, drag a very light object, have delved into the old ways and
morphosist. Once per Session, gain a +2 or slither along a wall and drip into a learned the secrets of the Carpathian
die bonus on a roll related to Tzimisce sleeping mortal's mouth. Voivoides and Beys of the Atlas. You are
lore or Metamorphosis. Also, possession I Don't Want to Cure ready to shed your skin. Once per Story
of a Codex may allow you to gain access Cancer: You have unlocked incredible you can transform into a monstrous
to places controlled by Tzimisce elders, powers to reshape esh and bone. If beast for one Scene. The exact form
Revenants, or other Alkimista. you wished you could even rewrite the is only limited by your imagination and
Feed the Change: You must destiny of genes, but you have other your Storyteller's patience. Add six dots
abandon your mortal esh and mortal plans for your talents. Whenever you to your Physical attributes in any com-
soul. Though dangerous, Diablerie is buy an amalgam that shapes Flesh or bination, but you cannot raise any one
a quick path to both goals. Gain a +2 Bone, such as Trophy Hunter, Flense, attribute above 5. Any unused dots in-
die bonus to your Humanity + Blood Whispers to the Flesh, Fleshcrafting, crease your Health levels on a 1:1 basis.
Potency rolls to absorb powers through Vicissitude, or Horrid Form, you can This form inicts Aggravated damage on
Diablerie (see V5 Corebook pg. 234). reduce the level of the required second- mortals and non-halved Supercial dam-
ary Discipline by 1, to a minimum of age on vampires and other supernatural
Internal Alchemy: You have
zero, or you can purchase the power creatures. As long as you're in this form,
an intuitive control over your own
at the cost and level of the second- you can y at your normal land speed
blood. Once per Session, you can
ary Discipline requirement if you no either through the use of esh shaped
automatically succeed on a Rouse check
have slots left in the amalgam's primary wings, wall grasping tentacles, or purely
or set your Hunger to one. At the
Discipline. Lastly, regardless of your clan through your mystical will. This power
Storyteller's discretion you may also be
these amalgams are purcha sed as a clan cannot be combined with any other
able to exert limited control over your
Discipline. transformation powers.
own spilled blood. This controlled blood
wouldn't be able to manipulate anything
132
LORESHEET
VA L E R I U S M A I O R
W
hen the Camarilla's so-called Red List was rst conceived
only a few vampires regularly competed for the "coveted"
top slots. e cunning Tremere Antitribu Valerius Maior
held the number 3 position on the Ivory Tower's gloried
wanted poster for decades before he was captured. ough Valerius' Trophy
would never be claimed, as he was held in the Vienna Chantry and was as-
sumed destroyed with all of the other Cainites within. How Valerius escaped
unscathed is unknown, but the Camarilla marked him o the list of "Anath-
ema" and the Black Hand was pleased to see the deadly thaumaturgist and
remover returned to its ranks. Valerius is a master of dreams and a feared
summoner of spirits and darker things. He seeks out promising followers
regardless of Sect and has ties with his fellow Anathema on the Red List.
"I was there at the purge. e Pyramid is no more and our old debts are
paid. e masters have lost sight of us and on the day of Gehenna, we shall
be the voice that whispers... look behind you." –Valerius
LORE
I Know Odd-Eye: You know Vale- Sect's secretive Inner Circle. Your Status V5 Corebook pg. 192). Also, once per
rius's story and understand the deep within the Camarilla increases by +1 in Story, you can either ask the Storyteller
hatred he has for the Tremere clan and any Scene in which your bloodline is for one piece of information regarding
the Camarilla. Once per Story, you may revealed. Also, you can buy a number the Tremere clan or the Camarilla's Red
reveal your knowledge of or connection of extra Blood Sorcery powers totalling List, or cover up a Masquerade breach
to Valerius to add two to Intimidation up to ve levels split up in any way you you caused as if you had 4 dots of Inu -
die pools against Tremere and Camarilla prefer. This could allow you to buy a ence in either Media or Occult.
vampires, or to add two dice to Persua- second level 5 Blood Sorcery power, or A Promising Tool (Sabbat
sion die pools against Tremere Antitribu to buy extra level 2 and level 3 Blood characters only): Odd-Eye has a plan
and mortal occultists. Sorcery powers. You cannot buy more and you've become a part of it. You gain
Call for Me and See: Your than two Blood Sorcer y powers of the Valerius as a ve dot Mawla or you can
dreams are often visited by Valerius. same level in this way. In addition to the gain a pair of three dot Retainers. These
Perhaps he whispers secrets to you in usual Tremere clan Bane, you are more Retainers are usually occult creatures
your sleep. You gain the Taste of Stolen easily inuenced by those to whom you summoned or created by Valerius him-
Dreams Blood Sorcery ritual (pg. 89) are bound. Your Bane Severity becomes self. Use either Blood Brothers (see pg.
and you has a +2 die bonus on all rolls a penalty to your die pools whenever 99) or the Unbirthed (see V5 Sabbat pg.
dealing with dreams. Once per Session, you roll to resist the power of a Blood 43) for the Retainers. Valerius is a para-
you can see a nearby mortal's or ghoul's Bond or Vinculum. noid and cruel mentor. If you give him
dreams while they sleep. Checked o the List: After reason for suspicion, he will not hesitate
Blood of Fanchon (Trem- being hunted by the Camarilla's elite to punish or destroy you.
ere characters only): You are of the soldiers for most of his unlife, Valerius
bloodline of Mistress Fanchon, one of has become a master of covering his
the founding members of the Cama- tracks and the identity of his minions.
rilla and a suspected councillor of the You gain the Zeroed Mask Merit (see
133
Pack Map
o n
h e
l w v
a
s u , h
lke
m r
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h h
lt e
ic u t e g i h
ss sa i a F t
P o r s
s p m P s s d
e d
d e is p
e r
e e d y s m a
e h na p
h a e a u
ll”
F t s T K n g
C
o <--Limitless zeal, but they require direction -- ”s
D i
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fr
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it n t
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b o t e n
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m e la m e
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> >- A
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K d e es y p al t ol
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e o
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ht
P l - p s n g
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rf g
v ev ht
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e
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ye
h
ts
et C - h
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p - i a h o o
r-
c
H a t w t k h
Y
J h s de u
b gn
ir e o t o w
a t G a o
p r
,e
h le r
at
u e B e
v
s a is s r s’ a
l o
k
o lfe b
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t e
t
c
n
b e
t d
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t’ le a
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o
■ ■ ■
is la
of na
w s ch C-
C
-
e -<
T-- a u
ti --
t ts
n n No b n u
s l
e
la -- us
o
s c t v
o sr r
o
o d
l
isr u
P k
o
a
r
t
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p
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t
A
-- ”s b p
w---Hard to kill, that’s useful-> e u
l e d
a
s y a e
z S h e
z <-A E
“ t n
u powerful warrior, Would make a terrible Priest-- a s y
B ic
r
p
is le
e
h
“ t
a h
t t fie E la h
i a a l w t n
a e
im
t a
w h
t m
i
l
a a
a h h
a t s l,a t t Mt w
l e r
F h t
i u ie
t m n F
a o
C a o m
w ir t S t
s s
s l h d r
ile h
a ucc f. c in h
e
l a o u m
A B O r o e f
P T r o
134
THE BLACK HAND
S A F E PLAY WOR K SH E E T
[ ]
LINES VEILS
❑ Animal cruelty ❑ Animal death
❑ Bestiality ❑ Animal experimentation
❑ Bodily functions ❑ Body horror
❑ Body mutilation ❑ Child endangerment
❑ Child death ❑ Childhood memories
❑ Force feeding ❑ Consensual Sex
❑ Gender-specic slurs / TERFs ❑ Disturbing visions
❑ Imprisonment ❑ Dreams or nightmares
❑ Nazis / Fascists ❑ Emotional abuse
❑ Needles ❑ Human experimentation
❑ Pandemics ❑ Mental instability
❑ Racial slurs ❑ Physical abuse
❑ Sexual violence ❑ Physical illness
❑ Spiders ❑ Police brutality
❑ Starvation ❑ Religious cults
❑ Torture ❑ Torture
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
❑ Other ( ❑ Other (
THE BLACK HAND THE BLACK HAND
X THE X CARD
FADE TO BLACK
THE FADE CARD
135
Pack Map
THE BLACK HAND
PLAyInG THe sABBAT
To bridge an abyss, a sword is required.
But nothing is gained without leaving something behind.
If the prize is everything...
How much of yourself would you cut away?
A comprehensive guide to the self less and inhuman
warriors of the Sabbat for V5, this book contains:
^ New Chronicle Tenets, Predator Types, and Ritae
^ Detailed Safe Play section for The Sabbat
^ Over 20 new Discipline Powers and 20 Loresheets
^ How to run a Sabbat Pack with 12 Pack Types
^ Makes full use of Sabbat: The Black Hand for V5
^ Detailed rules for Sabbat Paths of Enlightenments
^ The return of House Goratrix, Revenants, and more
Mature Advisory: contains graphic and written content of a
mature nature, including violence, sexual themes, and strong
language. Reader discretion is advised.
136
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