Sabbat Rituals

The rituals used by the Sabbat are separated into two different categories, Auctoritas and Ignoblis. Auctoritas Ritae are performed by all Sabbat members while the Ignoblis are optional to a point. It is understood that you are not required to undertake these rituals yet it is looked on as ‘bad form’ if you do not. All rituals performed at a pack level are led by the pack priest who maintains her packmates ‘spirituality’ by guaranteeing them the ability to practice the sect’s chosen rites.

There are thirteen Auctoritas Ritae practiced by the Sabbat:

The Blood Bath:

The Blood Bath is a ritual that happens whenever a Sabbat has earned a position of authority. All the vampires that are to serve under this newly titled vampire are gathered together and brought before him. The superior recognizes each underling by praising and giving her advice. The titled vampire then shares in the Vaulderie with all present. After this the vampire is led to a pool of fresh blood and bathes in it.

The Blood Feast:

The Blood Feast is held at almost all important gatherings. Humans and occasionally enemy vampires are hung upside down from the ceiling in chains. The Sabbat at the gathering are allowed to bite open the victims and fill glasses with the blood. There is typically one victim per guest and wounds are licked closed to keep from wasting the vitae.

The Creation Rites:

Those chosen to be recruited into the Sabbat are drained of all blood and given a small amount of vitae from their sires. The Sabbat then bludgeon them into unconsciousness and bury them, preferably in a graveyard. Those who claw their way out are then knocked unconscious again and taken to the pack’s haven and told what has happened to them.

Festivo dello Estinto:

The Festival of the Dead. This takes place the entire second week of March and all Sabbat in a city participate, nomadic packs are always welcome. During the festival the Sabbat celebrate being vampires. The Sabbat spend most of the week socializing and drinking blood. Hunting is especially brutal and little effort is made to hide from mortal eyes. Once per night the entire group share in the Vaulderie. Think of it as the Mardi Gras of vampirdom.

The Fire Dance:

The Fire Dance expresses the Sabbat’s fearlessness. Normal vampires have the good sense to avoid fire and most fear it tremendously. Sabbat go head to head with their fears and overcome them. During the Fire Dance the Sabbat enter a trancelike state and then proceed to leap and dance through blazing pyres. The Fire Dance is used to humiliate the weak. Member who do not participate will be ‘chastised’ by their packmates.

Games of Instinct:

The Games are meant to test vampires to see who among them is the strongest. The games are meant as competition and wagers are often placed. There are many types of games and Sabbat are always coming up with new ones. They test such things as hunting ability, resistance to pain, fighting ability, bravery and wit. Sports for the undead if you will.

Monomacy:

Monomacy is the method for settling disputes between Sabbat vampires. It allows them to challenge each other in duels to settle their grievances. Monomacy is usually a fight to Final Death.

Palla Grande:

The Grand Ball is a masquerade ball held on All Hallow’s Eve. All Sabbat in a city attend this event. Archbishops go all out to assure that the event is most spectacular. The Palla Grande is always held in a very public place, where mortals can see. There is always a Blood Feast, though it is hidden in a private room. During the Palla Grande there is a play concerning vampire legends and history. Humans are sometimes invited but kept in the dark.

Sermons of Caine:

The Sabbat often gather to hear sermons on their history to remind them of who and what they are. The sermons are used to strengthen Sabbat loyalty and ideology. Sermons of Caine are always followed by the Vaulderie.

The Vaulderie:

The Vaulderie is the ceremony of Blood Bonding with all other Sabbat present. The Vaulderie dissolves all other Blood Bonds and establishes a Vinculum between all Sabbat who take part. It is the most important ritual performed by the Sabbat for it is the source of their freedom and solidarity. Vaulderie happens alot in the everynight life of a Sabbat vampire.

War Parties:

War Parties gather packs together for the purpose of hunting down and Diablerizing an elder vampire from outside the sect. War Parties are an intense competition between two or more packs to see who will drink the target’s blood first.

The Wild Hunt:

The Sabbat is a sect that protects its secrets. If a member reveals something to the enemy that could harm the sect she is severely punished. Should a Sabbat vampire turn traitor and give the sect’s secrets to the enemy. The Wild Hunt is much like the Blood Hunt except the Wild Hunt targets all those who may possess the secret knowledge. Sabbat are called from all over the territory to participate. The Sabbat stop at nothing to destroy all who possess their secrets, especially the Sabbat traitor who revealed those secrets in the first place.

The Ignoblis Ritae are more varied and informal. Presentation and exercise of these rituals vary greatly from pack to pack or city to city. Each pack will personalize the ritual to reflect the personality of those that make up the pack.

Acceptance Rites:

Almost all packs have a ritual they use to recognize a new leader, accept a probationary member as a full member and accept a Sabbat recruit as a True Sabbat. Involves the whole pack and usually requires an oath of allegiance be taken.

Farewell Rites:

Used when bidding a fellow Sabbat farewell, when a pack leaves a city, when a pack member leaves for an extended period of time, you get the drift. Typically they involve the leader praising the one(s) leaving.

Initiation Rites:

These are important to for all Sabbat. It transfers right to an individual, making him Sabbat. This is different from the Acceptance Rites in that it confers the power of the sect and not that of the pack. The Acceptance Rituals come after and the Initiation Rites are not performed with the whole pack.

Welcoming Rites:

Used to greet other Sabbat. Welcoming rites of both packs are combined with each bringing something new to the gathering. These rites are more like a party but two points of protocol are carried out during them. A the beginning of the rite all pack members greet each other individually, presenting their names and their home. At the peak of the celebration a gift is usually exchanged from pack to pack. The leaders often use this ritual as a time to discuss Sabbat plans.

The Ignoblis Ritae are limited only by your imagination. There are many different rituals that you can invent, alter or otherwise make interesting for use by your pack.

Times When Rituals are Used:

This list will give you the clue that rituals are performed at almost any excuse and you would be correct. This guideline should show the stress the Sabbat puts on the rituals.

Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
Vernal Equinox
Autumnal Equinox
First day of the month
Last day of the month
Certain day of the week (Esbat)
First day of moon’s phase
Full moon
New moon
Waning moon
Waxing moon
After a battle
Before a battle
Beginning of a Crusade
Victory in a Crusade
First day of the year
Last day of the year
Halloween
Any holiday
Entrance of a new member
Death of a pack member
New leader is chosen
Pack member leaves
New pack in town
Normal esbat
Specially called esbat
Special sect meeting
Moving to a new territory
Leaving a territory
Entering Sabbat territory
Entering enemy territory