The Brotherhood of Martyrs
If I told you the story of the first Sabbat movement, it may sound like a plot that simply could not fail. A gathering of powerful Vampires, led by a legendary Methuselah driven by no nonsense politics in which vampires simply didn't play the typical kindred games so prominent in all other kindred societies. Imagine a coven of vampires who did not plot against each other, who worked together for a common goal, out of loyalty, out of friendship and by design united under a single ideology. It's almost an unheard of dream these ever darker nights, yet according to the writings of one Holborn Harry, this was indeed the dream about to be realized by a group of Brujah in the mid 16th century before it was snuffed out by the Camarilla.
Of course they say history is written by the victors and to hear the Camarilla tell the tale of the Sabbat registers a much different tone. In the Camarilla version the Sabbat are the devil incarnate. You can imagine the dark light shone n the whole thing. To read the official accounts from the Camarilla you would think this Brujah brotherhood was nothing more than wild animals rebelling against their masters out of sheer madness. The true accounts of the beliefs and systems the brotherhood had concocted might have never seen the light of day were it not for the Nosferatu historian who documented the events of what would one day become the founding ideologies of the Sabbat. Commonly known as Holborn Harry, or "The Archivist", even he could not imagine that his work would become a continuation of what should have been a dead movement. Certainly it was not his intention to be the proprietor of the movement, quite to the contrary, old Harry neither believed, supported or even cared about the Sabbat movement. His was a scholastic curiosity, but he was well educated, well spoken and spent his requiem writing.
According to The Archivist's account, the Sabbat movement was as much a rebellion as a religion. The brotherhood wasn't just formed as an opposing movement to the Camarilla, its true dream, inspired by the Brujah Menele was to return his clan to the rightful throne of rulers of nations. It was his dream to rebuild not just the city, but the idea of Carthage, a true kingdom in heaven with a tone of religious overtures one could not deny and a booming voice one could only fear.
To read the flavored text of The Archivist, a novelists and literary writer, was to uncover a masterpiece work. Some, in fact believe that much of the rekindled dream that was the Sabbat movement is attributed less to the Menele's dream and more to the writing itself. The book entitled "The History of Marters" was originally written in the late 16th century but did not go to print until the printing press entered the private sector and mass distribution came to be a common practice in London in the early 17th century. Its quality of writing and popularity found its way into mortal society as well, seen as a fictional account of a alternative religious ideology.
Initial reaction to the book was heresy, pure and simple. From the perspective of the Camarilla and notably the prince of London and naturally the Vatican. A blood hunt was called against the Nosferatu who accepted credit for writing and distributing the book among kindred. The books were outlawed, simply having it in your possession was akin to a breaking of traditions and vampires in power everywhere ensured the books legal status was clear in mortal book stores. It was assumed if you had the book, you were a Sabbat sympathizer, a devil worshiper or worse and deserved only a swift death. Books were burned when discovered, kindred and mortals alike killed if found in possession of it. Isabella, the prince of London took a particularly violent tone towards the author, holding a very public execution of The Archivist thanks to the swift cooperation of the local Nosferatu who helped her locate the accused Vampire.
It was an effective crackdown on the books, which quickly became a rare commodity sought out only by the bravest of Sabbat sympathizers. The clear hatred of the Camarilla of this book along with the Vampire elite and elders was undeniable. The book was a threat and stomping it out a priority.
Holborn Harry's death was something of a brutal spectacle, the public execution is still used as a reminder of what happens to overly creative vampires in London in particular.
The Sabbat ideology however was in the wind none the less and while over the years there have been rumors of enclaves and sympathizers hidden in the nooks of Camarilla occupied cities, wherever they are or whoever they are, they live deep underground. At least up to modern day, 1886 A.D. there has not been any official accounts or activities of any significance noted by the Camarilla. Some believe that the Sabbat are simply buying their time, building up their strength and preparing for an assault on the Camarilla, but as far back as most can remember the only true enclave of Sabbat that has ever existed was that of the original London Sabbat. A group that has come to be known, as the Marters thanks to Holborn's entitled book that not only preserved but memorialized these 16th century London vampires.
Today it would seem, they live only in the stories in a book, a peace of dark history best forgotten.
As our story progresses, so does our characters influence on the world change the World of Darkness setting. What will the world of Vampires be like without the Sabbat to opposes the Camarilla? Will something spur in its place, will the Camarilla simply exist unopposed? How will this change in the setting affect our game?
Lots of questions, exploring these answers is what our Chronicles will be all about.
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