Auctoritas Ritae
"The entire sect practices Auctoritas Ritae because of long-standing tradition, as well as their significance in Sabbat beliefs. The rituals are usually led by the clergy (the priests) of the Sabbat."
The following are the rituals that will be observed on a regular basis:
The Blood Bath:
The Blood Bath is held whenever sect leaders recognise a Sabbat Vampire as having rightful claim to a title. All the Sabbat who will be under the leadership of the vampire are invited to attend the ceremony. Each subservient vampire is brought before her superior, kneeling before him and offering words of praise and well-wishes while they donate blood to a large bathing area. After this, the honored vampire is assisted into the pool of fresh blood and bathes in it. Following the vampire having bathed in it, all vampires will drink from this blood, showing their willingness to partake in all that their new superior has to offer.
All ranking vampires (Regent, Cardinals, Prisci, ArchBishops, and Bishops) will be treated to this ritual upon their taking upon their rank. It will be attended by all vampires who are able to be in attendance, whether they will be subservient to that vampire or not.
The Blood Feast:
The Blood Feast is held at almost all important gatherings. Humans, and possibly an enemy Kindred, are chained and hung from the ceiling upside down. The Sabbat at the gathering are allowed to bite open the victim and fill their glasses with blood. It is customary to lick the wound closed when finished, so as not to waste any vitae. The Blood Feast is blood on tap.
This ritual will be observed most meetings, either by using a captured enemy, ghouls or mortals.
The Creation Rites:
This ritual is used when recruiting new members for the sect. In it, all those chosen to become Sabbat are drained of their blood and then given a small amount of vitae from their sires. The Sabbat then bludgeon the chosen unconscious and bury them. Those who claw their way to the surface are knocked out again and are then taken to the secret haven of the pack, where they are awakened and their new status explained.
All new recruits will be taken to the Amaranth garden, where they will be allowed no armour or weapons. Sabbat members then "bludgeon" them into unconsciousness, usually with shovels. Once they have returned from the Underworld, their Sire will meet them and escort them to the Amaranth Hall for completion of their induction into the Sabbat.
Games of Instinct:
Sabbat believe the strong, alone, survive. The Games of Instinct test vampires to see who among them are the strongest. The games are meant as competitions and many place bets on who will win. There are many types of games, and Sabbat are always inventing new ones. The games test such things as hunting ability, resistance to pain, fighting ability, bravery and wit. The Games of Instinct are like sport for the undead.
Games will be held each weekend for all those who wish to and are able to participate. The games played will be determined by the ArchBishop, Bishop and priests, each week and notification will be made in advance as to the agenda, times and place. Games can include: Questing, Truth or Dare, Duels in the Hall, Fox Hunts, Demolition Derbies, and whatever else the powers that be decide is fitting to play.
Monomacy:
Monomacy is the method for handling grievances among Sabbat vampires. It allows vampires to challenge each other in duels to settle their differences.
For those members of the Sabbt who should come to a grievous difference with each other, they may challenge the vampire they have a problem with to a duel in the Hall.
Sermons of Caine:
All vampires in the Sabbat know the story of their origins from the Book of Nod. 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 usually carried out by Sabbat priests following the Path of Caine, and by higher-level leaders during other rituals. Sermons of Caine are always followed by the Vaulderie.
There will be a monthly Sermon for the entire Pack to attend. This will not be a meeting to discuss Pack matters, merely an informational session in which to teach the members of the Pack the ways and teachings of Caine.
The Vaulderie:
The Vaulderie is the ceremony of Blood Bonding with all other Sabbat present. The Vaulderie breaks all other Blood Bonds and establishes a Vinculum between all Sabbat taking part in the ritual. The Vaulderie is the most important ritual practiced by the Sabbat, for it is the source of their freedom and solidarity.
This ritual will be observed by all who join our pack. All within it will be Blood Bound to one another through a special ceremony conducted after their Creation Rites have been completed. It will also be continually practiced upon other occasions to continue the Bond between our Pack.
The Wild Hunt:
Sabbat vampires seldom turn traitor, but those who do rarely survive. The Sabbat is a sect which protects its secrets. If a member reveals something to the enemy that could harm the sect, she is punished severely. Should the enemy ever manage to gain something of vital importance from a Sabbat vampire, the Wild Hunt is called. The Wild Hunt is much like a Blood Hunt, except the Wild Hunt targets all those who may possess the secret knowledge. The hunt is truly wild. The Sabbat stop at nothing to destroy all who possess their secrets, especially the Sabbat traitor who revealed the secrets in the first place.
Any traitors found within our pack will be hunted without mercy. Anyone who has a Wild Hunt called upon them must contact an ST and will be on hold until it can be RP'ed out with an ST calling combat.
Other rituals may be observed on special occasions, such as the Festivo dello Estinto, Palla Grande, or Danse Macabre. In addition, all vampires must swear to the Oath of Loyalty. There will be a Pack Symbol and a Test of Verification that each vampire will be made aware of upon completion of all necessary requirements to reach the rank of Cainite. Any time a ritual is to be observed, all members will be given advance notice of the coming festivities. The eldest and highest ranking priest will be responsible for determining which other rituals will be observed and when. If someone would like to see a ritual held they must contact Abysinthe@webtv.net to set it up.