Sects, Sects, Sects and more Sects!

Section 1: We are in charge! Aren't we?

1.0) Who died and made the Camarilla the boss?
1.1) Where does the Sabbat fit into all this?
1.2) What makes the Sabbat so dangerous?
1.3) What about the Black Hand?

Section 2: Sects with Others.

2.0) Who are the Tal'mahe'Ra? What is their angle?
2.1) Black Hand, True hand and False Hand?
2.2) What can you tell me about the Inconnu?
2.3) What is the Oradea League?
2.4) How are the Sects related?

Section 3: What about me!

3.0) Am I Antitribu?
3.1) What about my status with other Sects?
3.2) Are there any other Sects I could join?
3.3) What about a nice Cult?

Section 4: Independence and having Sects

4.0) What about the Children of Osiris?
4.1) What happened to the Children of Osiris?
4.2) Are the Assamites joining the Camarilla?
4.3) How many factions of Assamites are there?

Section 1: We are in charge! Aren't we?

1.0) Who died and made the Camarilla the boss?

Long before the Dark Ages, a sect called the Inconnu more or less ruled as the great sect of vampire society. It was based on the political ideas of its day (Greek and Roman democracy). Little is revealed of its vampires, or how it operated. Based in Rome, the Inconnu saw Carthage (and its vampires) as a challenger to its power base, and arranged for its destruction. This had a bad affect (crisis of conscience) on several vampires of the sect, resulting in its fall from power. The Inconnu vanished as a base of political power.

As the younger vampires came into power they sought to re-shape vampire society, switching to Europe's feudal system of rulership, one without any "centralized" vampire control. This arrangement eventually degraded into a War of Princes.

Then came the Inquisition. Elders were being hunted. Several vampires attempted to unite the vampire Clans under one banner, but repeatedly failed. The Elders eventually formed a united front, creating the Camarilla. (A name referring to a "little room" where people meet in private or secrecy.)

The Camarilla was dedicated to keeping vampire existence a secret, and enforcing the "Commandments of Caine." Plans were for ALL to join, but only seven Clans did. Nevertheless, as the Camarilla is enforcing Caine's commandments, it claims power and authority over ALL vampires.

(While claiming power over the non-member Clans, they only enforce the commandments within areas they control, and with diplomacy when dealing with Independent Clans.)

1.1) Where does the Sabbat fit into all this?

In the Dark Ages, blood bonding of childer was common. When the Inquisition started hunting vampires, Elder vampires across Europe threw their childer at the Inquisition. Due to the blood bonds, these childer would pose as the head vampires and die in their sire's place, or go down fighting to give their masters time to escape.

Thanks to the discovery of the Vaulderie, Childer broke their bonds and rebelled against their Elders. It started as a way for Tzimsice childer to rebel against the their Elders, but as it spread across Europe it fueled a new movement, the Anarch Revolt.

The Camarilla eventually offered the Anarchs the proposal now known as the Convention of Thorns, which promised the Anarchs that nothing would happen if they ended their revolt. Most Anarchs gave up. However, the Lasombra, Tzimisce and other anarchists that had committed certain "crimes" against the Elders, knew better. They refused the Pact, and organized into the Sabbat.

1.2) What makes the Sabbat so dangerous?

The Sabbat has the ability to learn and evolve.

Over the centuries, the Sabbat has survived three civil wars, and at least one major plague spread by the Valderie. At their lowest they shrank to being one-fifth the size of the Camarilla, yet survived. Today, they are at best no more than one-third the size of the Camarilla. Yet, they not only hold their own, they continue to expand and capture Camarilla cities.

While the Sabbat has not yet reached the size of the Camarilla, its "survival of the fittest" philosophy produces high powered vampires with a good deal of experience in combat. Under the older rules, a Sabbat neonate of 15 years started the game with 5 Dots in Disciplines, while a Camarilla neonate of 25 years usually had only 3 Dots in Disciplines.

Under the old rules, the Sabbat characters also lacked Dots in Backgrounds, but this reflected part of the Sabbat's philosophy. The Camarilla measures power by the degree of control they have in the business world or over government. Thus, they invest deeply in Background resources. Meanwhile, the Sabbat see themselves as predators, not shepherds. The Sabbat measures power by the size of the hunting grounds, and the ability to keep out other predators.

Also, the Sabbat doesn't practice the masquerade, but does follow a philosophy of "don't sh*t where you eat", which has the same results. By letting the childer and the more crude Sabbat members play games in the Camarilla territory, they cause the Camarilla to spend resources to protect the Masquerade.

1.3) What about the Black Hand?

Outsiders sometimes use Black Hand as a nickname for the Sabbat. To the members of Sabbat, it has a different meaning. Within the Sabbat there is a sub-sect which functions as a special militia known as the Manus Nigrum, Black Hand, or just The Hand.

The sub-sect is only activated for short periods of time, usually in small units or packs. One of the Hand's specialties is diverting Camarilla resources by entering Camarilla cities and breaking the Masquerade.

The revised Sabbat Hand can be found in Guide to the Sabbat (pg.34-36).

Section 2: Sects with Others.

2.0) Who are the Tal'mahe'Ra? What is their angle?

The sect appears in Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand. Although most consider DSBH to be a vampire book, it is actually a crossover book which takes place in Mage territory.

Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand is about a Mage stronghold, hidden in the Tempest of the Underworld. It was originally established by an "afterlife" cult of Middle Eastern mages called the Tal'mahe'Ra.

At some point the Tal'mahe'Ra opened their organizational membership to the undead. They sought knowledge about death, and believed vampires may be able to aide their quest. What the they approached and recruited was an unnamed Gehenna cult of vampires. Over time this vampire cult usurped the stronghold (probably around 500BC when most of the mages left). The vampires have come to believe the city to be the "ghost" of the fallen city of Enoch; somehow rediscovered by the mages.

Around 450 AD, the sect split into two parts. The Western branch which desired to be the only vampires who controlled mortal society, and the Eastern Branch which didn't care about mortals at all. The two halves eventually rejoined, but the organization (and the city itself) was recently destroyed by the Wraiths of the Underworld. (The revised Black Hand, Vampire Storytellers Handbook, pg.177-200.)

2.1) Black Hand, True Hand, False Hand?

The term black hand was a popular expression marking a group (or individual) as being criminal in nature. Simialr to the terms black hearted or under handed.

Around 450 AD, when the Tal'mahe'Ra split into two parts. The name Manus Nigrum (The Black Hand) became a nickname for the Western branch of the sect.

When the Sabbat formed, the Tal'mahe'Ra infiltrated the sect. The Tal'mahe'Ra managed to insert several operatives in the Sabbat. Keeping the Sabbat ignorant of the existence of the Tal'mahe'Ra, a separate Black Hand sub-sect was established within the Sabbat. The sub-sect's job is to hold the Sabbat together, so it can be used against the Camarilla.

The Tal'mahe'Ra calls itself the True Hand, while referring to the Sabbat sub-sect as the False Hand. Supposedly, True Hand operatives direct the False Hand, while keeping the false members ignorant of the Tal'mahe'Ra.

The loyalty of the True Hand members running the False Hand has always been suspect. With the destruction of Enoch and possibly the Tal'mahe'Ra, the False Hand may revert to a fully Sabbat organization.

2.2) What can you tell me about the Inconnu?

Not much. They are one of the most mysterious Sects in the WOD.
Vampire: The Dark Ages (pg.40), speaks of them as being the vampires from the Roman Era of Cainites. They opposed the younger vampires, who fought against the old ways of Greece and Roman. The younger vampires wanted a Feudal system of vampire government.

One story claims the Inconnu's goals changed after they arranged for the fall of Carthage. Driven by guilt, they evolved into a Golconda cult.

In the Modern Age, they are a rumored organization of high humanity vampires who have withdrawn from politics, and seek Golconda on a full time basis.

They are believed to be based in either South America or Eastern Europe. There are tales of vampires who make infernal packs to keep a castle (which they use as their base of operations) invisible to others.

They use agents called Monitors to spy on the Camarilla and Sabbat, and recruit high humanity vampires found within these sects. Children of the Night lists several of the Monitors.

The Tal'mahe'Ra see the Inconnu as their nemesis, an invisible bogeyman responsible for almost everything that goes wrong with Tal'mah'Ra plans.
(This few facts represent almost EVERYTHING known about them!)

2.3) What is the Oradea League?

The Sabbat's Vaulderie, was discovered by Tzimisce childer seeking to escape Blood bonds to Tzimisce Elders. This made the Tzimisce Elders, early targets of the Anarchs/Sabbat.

In response, several Tzimsice Elders formed a small sect of land owners called the Oradea League. Forming an united front against the Anarchs, they became a powerful, although localized, sect of Eastern European vampires.

The Tzimsice of the Oradea League are not members of the Sabbat. They represent the last of the feudal land holders of the Dark Age Tzimisce of Eastern Europe. However, they are still powerful enough in Modern nights to hold back both the Sabbat and Camarilla

2.4) How are the Sects related?

Its kind of funny, how they are related.
First, the Inconnu quietly vanishes, but it is a scary type of quiet. No one really knows what they are doing.

The Tal'mahe'Ra attempts to become the sole vampire controllers of humanity. Deciding to use mortals, they point the Inquisition at any other vampire group (or individual vampire) who is involved in mortal politics. They lose control.

Elders across Europe throw their childer at the Inquisition hoping to appease them into believing they killed the head vampires. Thanks to the discovery of the Vaulderie, these childer break their bonds and rebel against their Elders, starting the Anarch Revolt.

Several Tzimsice Elders form the Oradea League (as an united front) against the Anarchs. They become a powerful Eastern European Sect.

Elders of other Clans form a united front, creating the Camarilla. They later claim it was created to defend vampires from the Inquisition (nothing to do with hiding from gangs of freed childer desiring revenge for being used as cannon fodder).

The Tal'mahe'Ra believe the Camarilla is the tool of the Inconnu. They secretly aid and support the Anarch Revolt, hoping to transform it into their own organization of vampire tools.

The Anarchs kill the Lasombra & Tzimisce Antediluvians. The Tal'mahe'Ra is horrified, they decide the Antediluvians can't be dead, but must be faking it.

Learning of the Antediluvians' deaths, the Elders finally pull together the power of the Camarilla. They eventually offer the proposal called the Convention of Thorns, which promised the Anarchs that nothing would happen if they ended their revolt.

Most Anarchs gave up. However, the Lasombra, Tzimisce and other anarchists refuse the Pact, and organize into a new sect called the Sabbat.

The Tal'mahe'Ra manage to place secret operatives with in the Sabbat, to hold it together, so it can be used against the Camarilla.

Not all of the Anarchs joined the Sabbat and Camarilla. Some continued the Anarch Revolt, but not with the same energy they use to have.
Meanwhile the Inconnu have Monitors watching everybody, and supposedly are contacting the high humanity vampires and pulling them out of this political mess.

Section 3: What about me!

3.0) Am I Antitribu?

To my understanding, the Camarilla, Sabbat and Independants came to an agreement (or understanding) as to who would be called Antitribu:
The grey area is whether or not members of Independant Clans (or Bloodlines) are called Antitribu when they join the Sabbat (or Camarilla). Some appear to adopt the honorific, others do not.
* As all Clans suffer from having Antitribu, the Assamite Clan could not be blamed for the actions of their Sabbat members who refused to submit to the Tremere's curse.

3.1) What about my status with other Sects?

Some pre-Camarilla/Sabbat vampires think its a lark hearing the childer speak of themselves as Clan or anti-Clan. As if the whole of the Clan ever moved together in philosophy or politics.

The Sabbat and Camarilla are the only Sects known to speak of their members (or non-members) as Antitribu.

3.2) Are there any other Sects I could join?

In the Dark Ages there were many sects and secret societies. With the rise of the Sabbat and Camarilla most smaller sects were absorbed. Many still maintain a presence, kept traditions, and horde ancient knowledge, but they are viewed as a faction or cult within the greater Sect.

Other than being invited to join the Innconnu or the remains of the Tal'mahe'Ra, most vampires are limited to joining sub-sects, cults, sect or clan factions.

Some sects and factions are listed in these books:

3.3) What about a nice Cult?

Cainite Heresy for Dark Ages, lists Cults whose religious beliefs revolve around the nature of Caine and his curse. It also contains information on Christian Heresies and other popular religions of the time.

There are also Gehenna, Lilith and Seer Cults. Most of these are covered in Time of Thin-Blood (pg.55-60)

Sins of the Blood, also has several sections on joining cults hidden both inside and outside the two main Sects. It also speals on the views od the two main sects towards cults.

Section 4: Independence and having Sects

4.0) What about the Children of Osiris?

The history of the Setites has both Set and his brother (Osiris) becoming vampires. Battling for control of Egypt, Set eventually destroyed Osiris and most of Osiris's childer.

According to The Hunters Hunted (pg 49-55), Osiris had only one surviving childe (Khetamon), who fled and started a group called the Children of Osiris (aka the Osirians). Supposedly, Khetamon and his followers do not embrace as a practice. Which technically makes them a Sect; they recruit their vampires from other bloodlines.

Recruits have the Disciplines (and weaknesses) they bring with them, and are taught the Discipline of Bardo which is used to control the Beast (but gives them an additional weakness).

However, the Children of Osiris are no more.

4.1) What happened to the Children of Osiris?

Upon his death, Orisis did not vanish but became a powerful wraith, and now rules the Egyptian Underworld known as the Dark Kingdom of Sand. The Egyptians call it the Westernlands.

Horus, the son of Osiris became a Mummy (an immortal which repeatedly dies and restores itself to life). The "Spell of Life" used to transform him was used to create other mummies.

When the 6th great Maelstrom ripped through the Westernlands, the Spell of Life lost its power. Orisis then created a new spell. A variant of this new spell has the power to transform vampires back into mortals. The worthy Children of Osiris underwent the spell, the rest were destroyed.

When many of these Osirians became mortal, they found their vampiric powers transformed, awaking them as Mages or Sorcerers. They formed a group called the Followers of Osiris.

4.2) Are the Assamites joining the Camarilla?

A 4th generation Sorcerer Assamite, called Ur-Shulgi, has recently awakened. He not only broke the blood curse of the Tremere, he started judging and culling the Clan.

Both events have greatly affected the organization of the Clan.

With the lifting of the curse, many Assamite Antitribu returned to the main Clan. However, since Ur-Shulgi is culling the Clan, others have fled to either the Sabbat or Camarilla.

4.3) How many factions of Assamites are there?

Since at least the 8th century BC, the Assamites have allowed individuals to walk away from the Clan and its hierarchy. Know as the Dispossessed, these Assamites sought other ways. During the Dark Ages, as many as 1 in 3 Assamites became Dispossessed, many serving as mercenaries.

The Dispossessed, isn't excactly a faction, its more of a catch-all for Assamites who do not belong to any other faction, but aren't openly aligned against the rest of the Clan. Assamites who join the Camarilla, Inconnu, Anarchs or seek to live in the East with the Cayathans are referred to as being Dispossessed.

When the Assamites agreed to undergo the Tremere ritual, a number of Assamites refused and were at first referred to as having become Dispossessed. Later, those that joined the Sabbat became known as the Sabbat Antitribu faction.

Since the return of Ur-Shulgi, the major of the Clan has fractured into three factions:
The Assamites also has a number of inner organizations:
(Revised Assamite Clanbook, pg 56-60)



End.