Post by HST Seth on Dec 19, 2013 2:37:39 GMT
The Sabbat has a number of various positions in a rough hierarchy ranging from positions in individual packs all the way up to the Regent who rules the Sabbat as a whole. The hierarchy as a whole is known as the Clergy. A description of each Clergy position with their duties and perks is explained below:
Abbot
The Abbot is the caretaker of the Pack's communal haven and the individual who ensure the Pack has a steady food source. This is a Pack Position and does not prevent you from holding other positions within the sect. The Abbot is appointed by the Pack’s Ductus.
Pack Priest
The Pack Priest is the Pack’s spiritual guide and shepherd. While there may be other Priests in the Pack to assist them it is their task to lead the Ritae, and chart the spiritual progression of their Pack mates. In addition, the Pack Priest often acts as intermediary between the Pack and the members of the Sabbat Clergy. The Pack Priest is appointed by the Pack’s Ductus.
It is the Pack Priest’s responsibility to officiate all of the Ritae for his pack. He may have assistants and may allow others to do so, but he is the master of Ritae. The Pack Priest is also responsible for the spiritual growth of his pack. It is his responsibility to monitor his Pack Members’ Path ratings and watch for warning signs that they are slipping.
Ductus
The Ductus is the Pack’s leader. Depending on the Pack this individual may be the strongest or the most charismatic person in the Pack. But when push comes to shove the Ductus is the one considered to have authority over the Pack, and in matters of extreme importance the individual is who is "more equal" then everyone else.
The Ductus has the right to grant and strip Reputational Status from members of his own pack at will, though too many changes in Status in a short time will draw the eye of his superiors. The Ductus is also responsible for appointing all other pack positions such as Priest and Abbot as well as any other unofficial positions unique to the pack.
The Ductus is chosen by the pack. This choosing may take many forms from democratic vote to a last man standing combat to sheer force of will.
Templar
Templars are the aides, lackeys, and strong arms of the Sabbat Clergy. There are some Bishops, who prefer their Templars to be called Paladins, and while there is no rule against this, it is best that such a Templar not flaunt the title lest a Cardinal's Paladin take notice. Templars can fill any role from bodyguard to bloodhound to seneschal as needed by the Cleric who appointed them.
Templars are appointed by any Cleric of the rank of Bishop or higher. The Templar is thereafter the personal servant and representative of the Cleric they serve. They are assumed to have the Cleric’s support in their actions and to speak with the Cleric’s voice in all things.
Templars may skirt the usual system of Sabbat justice, disobeying orders from any Cleric of lower rank than their Patron as long as they are acting in the line of duty. This only works if the Patron speaks for the Templar. Templars may not grant or remove Status for their position.
Paladin
These are the elite Templars of the Cardinals. By tradition for each Cardinal there is a table of 12 Paladins, one for each of Charlemagne's paladins or each of the apostles depending on whom you ask. These individuals tend to be quite old, and view a mark of dishonor on one paladin a mark on them all. Because of this they tend to be very protective of the title and do not look highly on Templars who would call themselves Paladins lest they soil the title for them all. As they are the elite of a cardinal's Templars, it is possible that a cardinal will have regular Templars as well.
Functionally a Paladin is the same as a Templar, save that they can only be appointed by a Cardinal or Cleric of higher rank.
Bishop
The Bishops are the local leaders of the Sabbat. Often being responsible for a medium sized metropolitan area. It is possible that a city will have no archbishop and several bishops, or even an Archbishop and several assisting Bishops. Unless directly serving an Archbishop the Bishops answer directly to the Cardinals. Like other members of the Sabbat clergy, Bishop will delegate responsibilities to Templars, Ducti, Priests, and chosen war leaders. But delegating too much power could be taken as a sign of weakness and thus the Bishop must be cautious. To become a Bishop you must be appointed by your area’s Archbishop or in the case of no Archbishop for your area, the Cardinal of your area instead must give approval.
A Bishop may freely grant or strip Reputational Status to any member of his Domain, though too many changes in Status in a short time will draw the eye of his superiors. Within his domain his word is considered law unless contradicted by a higher-ranking Cleric.
A Bishop may appoint Templars as well as other unofficial city positions. A Bishop may also set the terms on which nomadic packs and lone Sabbat are permitted to enter their Domain (usually participation in some Ritus or another).
A Bishop may strip a member of his Domain of the position of True Sabbat, effectively removing their position in the Sect. This is done only for severe violations of Sabbat Law or the Code of Milan. This cannot be used on anyone of higher position in the Clergy. Every use of this power will likely draw scrutiny from one’s superiors, as it is very seldom done. In extreme cases, a Bishop may also declare the Wild Hunt.
As a higher position in the Clergy, a Bishop may perform and lead any Ritae he wishes. For important Ritae within his Domain, it is expected of the Bishop to perform this task, though he may name a surrogate if he wishes. A Bishop may also serve as a Priest, granting or stripping Accomplishment status as he wishes to members of his Domain, under the strictures of each trait.
Archbishop
Where the Bishops rule of metropolitan area, Archbishops rule over an entire city and it's outlying suburbs, at least that is the idea. In practice Archbishops can control much larger areas (entire counties or tri-county areas) or a large section of the true metropolises of the world. While rarely does it happen that an individual becomes an Archbishop without first being a Bishop, those rare few who do will surely feel the social pressure to be trained as a member of the Priesthood. Archbishops will often delegate some responsibilities to Bishops, Templars, Ducti, Priests, and chosen war leaders. But delegating too much power could be taken as a sign of weakness. An Archbishop can only be appointed by the area’s Cardinal.
An Archbishop functions exactly as a Bishop with the same powers and responsibilities as a Bishop, save over a larger area. Additionally Archbishops may appoint Bishops as well as countermand any order of a Bishop or lower-ranking Cleric in their Domain.
Priscus
Prisci are the advisors to the regent, cardinals, archbishops, and councils of bishops (and occasionally others). Generally these individuals hold vast power, in the form of physical prowess, mental acumen, or favors owed. They will at times act on their own, but in general they act as advisors for younger Cainites. Pricsi may only be appointed by vote of the Consistory with the approval of the Regent.
When a Priscus is chosen, he is assigned a charge to watch over and advise. This charge may be any Cleric from a Bishop to a Cardinal. The most vaunted of the Prisci sit on the Consistory and advise the Regent. The Cleric the Priscus is assigned to has no say in this matter. A Cleric who does not listen to the advice of a Priscus will soon find problems higher in the Clergy.
A Priscus may ignore any order given by any Cleric of lower rank than a member of the Consistory without repercussion. To do so however is likely to make scandal and enemies. A lower-ranking Cleric whose order the Priscus has flouted may petition the Consistory for judgment on the actions of a Priscus.
A Priscus may freely grant or strip Reputational Status to any member of the Sabbat, though too many changes in Status in a short time will draw the eye of his superiors. Within his domain his word is considered law unless contradicted by a higher-ranking Cleric.
A Priscus may appoint Templars.
As a higher position in the Clergy, a Priscus may perform and lead any Ritae he wishes. A Priscus may also serve as a Priest, granting or stripping Accomplishment status as he wishes, under the strictures of each trait.
A Priscus may strip any Sabbat member of the position of True Sabbat, effectively removing their position in the Sect. This is done only for severe violations of Sabbat Law or the Code of Milan. This cannot be used on anyone of higher position in the Clergy. Every use of this power will likely draw scrutiny from one’s superiors, as it is very seldom done. In extreme cases, a Priscus may also declare the Wild Hunt.
A Priscus may blacklist any member of the Sabbat, preventing them from advancing within the Clergy. This may only be undone by petitioning the Consistory.
Cardinal
What Archbishops do for cities, Cardinals do for whole states or even countries. They bear personal responsibility for the crusades in their jurisdiction. But even with their great power they must delegate some of the authority to the Bishops and Archbishops; after all it is a big job organizing a war for the souls of the Cainite race. These individuals will rarely come to power with rising through the ranks of the Clergy, and should such a thing ever happen such an individual would ritually be promoted through the ranks of the Clergy before taking the position of Cardinal.
A Cardinal’s word is law in their territory. They may set universal policy spanning many cities and affecting the lives of Cainites across vast regions. The only check on their power is the Consistory. It is the responsibility of the Cardinals to enforce all laws and decrees passed by the Consistory.
A Cardinal retains all powers, privileges and responsibilities of an Archbishop, but over a larger territory.
In addition to Templars, a Cardinal may appoint 12 Paladins to serve as his elite agents.
A Cardinal may countermand any decision made by a lower-ranking Cleric in his Domain.
A Cardinal may blacklist any member of his Domain, preventing them from advancing within the Clergy. This may only be undone by petitioning the Consistory.
Consistory
The Sabbat Consistory is made up of the select Prisci, Cardinals, the Regent of the Sabbat, and the Seraphim of the Black Hand. It is the job of the Consistory to appoint a new Regent, decide Sabbat policy and laws. Being a member of the Consistory is in addition to whatever other position you may have. Thus one can be a regular Priscus or a Priscus who is also a member of the Consistory.
The Consistory sets the laws of the Sabbat which must be ratified by the Regent. This includes making addendums to the Code of Milan which must pass a unanimous vote of the Consistory. They also act as the advisory body to the Regent.
The Consistory is composed of all of the sect's Cardinals, as well as the heads of each of the recognized factions, select Prisci, and the Four Seraphs of the Black Hand. The only way to gain a seat on the Consistory is to become a Cardinal, become the head of a recognized faction, or be approved to join the Consistory by a 2/3 vote of current members.
The power of the Consistory is virtually limitless, checked only by the will of the Regent.
The Consistory holds the sacred duty of selecting a new Regent if the current Regent is killed, deposed or resigns. They usually select the new Regent from among their own ranks, in a very similar system to the selection of the new Pope.
The Consistory may depose the Regent by unanimous vote, stripping him of all power and appointing a successor. This is only feasibly done for such great breaches of Sabbat law or tradition that the execution of the deposed Regent is all but assured thereafter.
The Consistory meets yearly in an open meeting called the Ecumenical Council, held in Sao Paolo, Brazil during the second week of April. At this time, any True Sabbat may attend and may petition the Regent and the Consistory directly. All Petitions are heard during the week, followed by the Consistory going into seclusion for however long it takes to reach a decision on each matter brought before it. Those who cannot attend the Ecumenical Council in person often will make personal appeals to their Cardinal in the weeks approaching the Council to speak for them, Proxy petitions from anyone without a seat on the Consistory are not accepted, as it is seen that anyone who cannot come in person is not dedicated enough to their cause for it to be worthy of discussion.
The Regent
In theory the Regent has supreme power over the sect. In practice subordinates distort or just plain "lose" orders they refuse to accept, and the regent's power depends on her personal base of support. The regent is inevitably an old vampire, who has been selected from within the ranks of the consistory. And with a sect as large as the Sabbat power at this level must be delegated for anything to get done.
The Regent’s power is limitless within the Sabbat, save for the check from the Consistory. The Regent’s word is law.
As far as anyone publicly knows, the current regent is the Toreador Antitribu Melinda Galbraith who has held the position since 1933. The truth is that Galbraith was killed at the Palla Grande of 2000, and her seat is currently being filled by the imposter Zachary Sikorsky, a 12th Generation Tzimisce neonate who has thus far surprisingly managed to maintain the ruse. No one, including Sikorsky knows who killed the previous regent or why, Sikorsky having adopted the ruse after being granted a private audience with Galbraith and finding only a pile of ashes upon entry to her tent. One possibility is that it was Jalan Aajav who is the only one who knows the truth, and has thus far guided and protected the fledgling imposter.