Sabbat Politics

To the common Sabbat shovelhead, the extent of the politics they’ll probably ever experience will revolve in and around their pack, or the “bullshit politics” they’ve come to expect (even if they barely comprehend them) of the Camarilla. For the most part, rank and file Sabbat have little use and for that matter, little care for politics. Sometimes it’s beyond them to even realize that in the (more often than not literal) shadows of the Sabbat, subtle political mechanisms do exist, as they have ever, as tireless and immortal as vampires themselves. In the Sabbat’s case, however, such politics are often far and above the “everyman” Cainite and often cleverly discreet -- and, after all, why should a shovelhead worry on it, regardless, knowing that the bonds of the Vinculum will always make certain it’s all in the interests of the Sabbat?

He Said, She Said

From the moment a shovelhead crawls out of the ground, he’s educated in his enemy sect, the kowtowing Camarilla -- that weak and naive organization of “Kindred” that fearfully hide themselves amongst mortals, languishing in their weaknesses. The Camarilla are small and narrow-minded, completely set on destroying on the Sabbat or ruling them as their elders rule their own young pawns. Most unforgivable of all, the Camarilla serve the dreaded Antediluvians as cat’s-paws and tools, engineering all they do toward the readiness of those traitorous progenitors awakening.

With such thorough propaganda against the Camarilla, reinforced by the bonds of Vinculum, the considerably brutal punishment techniques of the Sabbat for those that dare betray their sect, and by the Camarilla, themselves, as they act on the doctrine they, too, have been lectured in against their enemy, the Sabbat, it’s a very rare Cainite, indeed, that so much as takes the time to consider the opposing side as anything but something deserving of being destroyed. Expect no quarter, Cainites, and give none.

Pack Politics

In certain ways, a pack is similar to a family unit. Most of the time, a pack may get along harmoniously, but that doesn’t mean they won’t experience disputes. Even packmates fued and fight, and even in packs, leadership can -- and will --- be questioned and challenged for the strength of the pack. However, like family units, packmates are bound by blood, in this case the Vinculum. The Vaulderie creates a cemented loyalty. Packmates with high enough Vinculum will kill and die for one another without hesitation.

In many cities, pack rivalries can come into play, although such competitiveness often assists the sect in some way as one pack strives to outshine another. Such rivalries rarely dissolve into packs making “enemies” of one another or violent warfare -- after all, above healthy competitiveness is each pack’s shared, unswerving loyalty to their sect and the power, again, of the Vinculum, which makes trusted brothers out of even those not directly in one’s pack.

Factions of the Sabbat

In a sect that promotes the ideals of freedom and loyalty above all else, it should come as no surprise that the diverse bulk of the Sabbat doesn’t find itself entirely like-minded in how it should operate. Five basic factions already exist, but even within these main factions are countless smaller factions. Typically all Cainites (even yours!) typically fall into one of the basic categories, and it is by one’s attitude and disposition that their faction can be most readily identified.

It is important to know that Cainites do not simply announce the name of whatever faction they might support. Eris, the Brujah Antitribu, does not tell her packmate, “I’m a Loyalist.” Eris might fit into the Loyalist ideology, but she’s more generally identified by her viewpoints. Factions are not labels and there is no formal membership or representation for them. They are opinions and beliefs.

From most to least powerful, the following are the five main Sabbat factions.

The Status Quo

Composed of almost all members of the Lasombra, Tzimisce, and the Black Hand, the Status Quo maintain the philosophy of “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” They represent the system of leadership and authority that has kept the Sabbat together thus far, focusing on internal peace as being a necessity to maintain a strong defense against the Camarilla and Gehenna. The current hierarchy of the Sabbat is a testament to the Status Quo, as it is their vision made flesh. They often function as alarmists, warning against major change into anarchy (Loyalism) or becoming like the Camarilla (Ultra-Conservatism).

The Moderates

With roughly three quarters of the sect divided between the Moderates and the Status Quo, this faction represents the vast middle ground of the Sabbat, supported by the majority of the Antitribu. Moderates balk at the prospect of increasing rigidity within the Sabbat, concerned at the loss of freedoms. Most follow orders rather than lose the respect of their fellow Sabbat and are willing to work within the power structure to achieve their goals, but are not against questioning their leaders if they disagree. Many Moderates have contacts with all of the factions and generally have the most flexibility.

The Ultra-Conservatives

Considered the “far right hand” of the equation and made up of the eldest members of all Sabbat clans, the Ultra-Conservatives greatly support centralization and authoritarian rule in their belief that the survival and security of the sect depends on stability. Ultra-Conservatives believe that Sabbat that break the Code or disobey critical orders need to be purged before the sect falls to the Antediluvians. They only follow strong leaders and feel those that are weak need to be more than questioned; they should be culled, entirely.

The Loyalists

Made up mostly of Ventrue and Brujah Antitribu, as well as a few younger members of other clans, the Loyalists represent the “far left” side of the factions. Most have an all but anarchistic attitude, constantly challenging authority, criticizing leaders, and encouraging the same behavior in their fellow Cainites in their belief that to be truly loyal to the Sabbat, one must hold fast to the ideal of freedom the sect was built on. Known for their disobedience, they nonetheless support all actions to reclaim territory from the Camarilla, and have done nothing that could be in any way construed as harmful to the sect.

The Pander Movement

Devoted to developing a determined foothold in the sect, and with it more strength and equal respect and recognition to other clans, the Pander Movement represents what the Moderates could become if they changed their focus from greater freedom to greater power. The Panders support any and all who respect them and help them increase their power, even if it means supporting the Status Quo one week and allying with the Loyalists the next. Generally the power within the sect has lain with the Status Quo and the Panders have faithfully supported it in lieu of a alternative.