Lore context
The World of Darkness is a grim mirror of our own world, where powerful,
immortal beings move in the shadows of human society. Among the most
infamous of these are vampires, known as the Kindred. They exist hidden
from the world, controlling politics, economies, and the media, subtly
steering the fate of nations while ordinary people remain oblivious to their
presence. Each night is a battle for survival, with Kindred locked in an
unending struggle among rival factions that compete for power, influence,
and the survival of their kind.
The Camarilla is the largest and most structured faction of vampires, united in their
belief that Kindred must remain concealed, shrouded from humanity. They enforce
the "Masquerade" – a strict set of laws designed to protect the secret of their
existence. The Camarilla’s hierarchy maintains order with rigid laws and traditions,
overseen by the Council of Primogen.
Each major domain (a city) is ruled by a Prince, responsible for enforcing the
Masquerade and maintaining peace within their territory. The clans that form the
Camarilla, such as the Ventrue, Tremere, and Toreador, are politically minded and
conservative, valuing tradition and stability above all.
In stark contrast stands the Sabbat, a brutal and fanatical sect of vampires who reject
the notion of hiding from humans. To them, vampires are predators, entitled to rule
the world regardless of mortal morality. The Sabbat seeks to overthrow the order
created by the Camarilla, often resorting to acts of terror with little concern for the
consequences. Their rivalry is fierce, and in some cities, open war rages.
For the Sabbat, survival of the strongest is a core tenet; young vampires are thrust into
conflict to prove their worth. But above all, the Sabbat’s mission is to hunt down and
destroy the Antediluvians – ancient, powerful vampires who, according to legend, will
one day return to eradicate the younger generations.
The Sabbat’s origins trace back to a rebellion of younger vampires against their
powerful elders. During the Middle Ages, as the Inquisition ravaged Europe, many
young Kindred were forced to fight on the front lines against the Church and vampire
hunters, sacrificed by their arrogant elders who remained hidden in safety.
This betrayal ignited a bloody uprising and the birth of the Sabbat, a faction
dedicated to rejecting the rule of the Antediluvians and their descendants. The Sabbat
seeks to end the tyranny of these ancient vampires, viewing their insatiable ambition
as a threat to the Kindred as a whole.
Esbat
Lore context
The Antediluvians are legendary, ancient vampire patriarchs, believed in the lore of the World of
Darkness to be the first Kindred, descending from the biblical Cain. It is thought that each
vampire clan traces back to one of these powerful ancestors who survived the Great Flood. The
Antediluvians are god-like entities among vampires – their powers are beyond anything the
younger generations possess.
According to legend, they have been slumbering for centuries, hidden in dark corners of the
world, waiting for the time when they will rise again to destroy their descendants and claim
dominion over the world. The fear of their awakening is one of the primary reasons the Sabbat
exists – to prevent their return and the final obliteration of younger Kindred. Sabbat vampires
view the Antediluvians as tyrants, believing they must be destroyed before they awaken and
bring about the end.
Vampires in the World of Darkness are also divided into clans, each with its own unique powers
and ambitions. Clans such as Nosferatu, Brujah, Malkavian, and Gangrel pursue their own goals,
often clashing with the interests of others, adding to the chaos and unease within the Kindred
society.
Q: What are Blood Bonds, and how do they work in the Sabbat?
A: Unlike the Camarilla, the Sabbat does not rely on traditional Blood Bonds to enforce loyalty.
Instead, they practice the ritual of Vaulderie. This dark ceremony, often performed in groups,
involves each participant sharing their blood, creating a bond of mutual loyalty and
commitment. Through Vaulderie, old Blood Bonds are broken, replaced by a web of intense,
interwoven emotional connections, with no single vampire as the dominant figure. This ritual
reinforces allegiance to the Sabbat and each Pack, preserving unity within the sect while allowing
members to free themselves from the control of older vampires and safeguard their autonomy.
Q: Why are the clans in the Sabbat called the Antitribu?
A: The Sabbat clans are known as Antitribu because their members have renounced the
traditional structures and hierarchies of the clans still loyal to the Camarilla. These vampires
reject the authority of their elders, abandoning control and servitude in favor of the Sabbat’s
chaotic freedom. The term "Antitribu" symbolizes a profound break with old values, marking
their loyalty to a new, darker path within the Sabbat.
Q: Do friendship and love exist within the Sabbat?
A: They do, but in a twisted and corrupted form. Loyalty to the Sabbat is held above personal
attachments, so love and friendship are often subordinated to the greater cause of survival and
the relentless fight for dominance. In the Sabbat, individual emotions are tools rather than
treasures, binding members in service to the sect’s ambitions.
Esbat
Lore context
Q: What is the Black Hand?
A: The Black Hand is a secretive and elite faction within the Sabbat. Its ranks consist of the sect’s
most fanatical and skilled vampires, tasked with safeguarding the Sabbat’s interests through
espionage, sabotage, and the elimination of its enemies. The Black Hand handles the most
perilous missions, operating under its own code and with a distinct hierarchy that wields
significant influence in the Sabbat. At Esbat LARP, we will encounter the Black Hand in its most
well-known, official form.
Q: How does the Sabbat view humans?
A: The Sabbat regards humans as little more than prey, resources to be used, or tools to be bent
to their will. Seeing themselves as apex predators, Sabbat vampires believe humans exist only to
serve or suffer at their hands. Although some factions within the Sabbat may manipulate humans
to serve strategic purposes, they rarely view them as anything more than disposable assets.
Compared to the Camarilla, the Sabbat is overtly cruel, seeing cruelty itself as a legitimate
pleasure.
Q: How does the Sabbat relate to the Camarilla?
A: The Sabbat views the Camarilla as the embodiment of everything it despises—tyranny through
the rule of ancient vampires, enforced by blood bonds and hidden behind the pretense of the
Masquerade. To the Sabbat, the Camarilla’s desire for secrecy is an affront to their predatory
nature; Sabbat vampires believe they should rule openly, reveling in their dominance.
Q: What is Gehenna?
A: Gehenna is the ominous prophecy that foretells the end of all Kindred. According to the legend,
this apocalyptic event will awaken the Antediluvians—ancient vampires of unimaginable power—
who will rise from their slumber to devour their progeny. This doomsday vision haunts vampires
across sects, though some view it as mere myth. For others, Gehenna is a looming dread, a
judgment day that could extinguish their kind forever. The Sabbat seeks to forestall this fate,
hoping to prevent the annihilation of the younger generations.
Esbat
Lore context
Q: What are Packs in the Sabbat?
A: Packs form the foundation of Sabbat society—a close-knit, fiercely loyal group bound by the
Vaulderie. These small units function as families and warrior bands, sharing a single purpose and
fighting alongside one another to advance the sect’s agenda. Each Pack operates with autonomy,
embodying the Sabbat’s ethos of anarchy and strength, with every member taking on a role that
contributes to the group’s survival.
Q: What are the customs of the Sabbat?
A: Brutality and ferocity are core to the Sabbat’s customs. Dueling one's leader is a common
means of asserting power and can result in leadership changes; these clashes are not merely acts
of honor but displays of dominance. The Sabbat's justice is equally savage, with acts of
vengeance and violence meted out for betrayal. Public punishment serves as a spectacle, a
reminder of the cost of disloyalty. Black humor is common, used to temper the harshness of
Sabbat life. To the Sabbat, power, cruelty, and domination are values in their own right, and
loyalty to the sect is their only true bond.
Q: What is Monomancy?
A: Monomancy is a sacred rule invoked during a war council, banning the killing of fellow Sabbat
vampires during strategic planning and crucial decision-making sessions. This practice upholds
the focus and unity of the Sabbat when cohesion is most needed.
Esbat
