The Sabbat Inquisition is the agency that enforces the internal orthodoxy of the Sabbat.
Overview[]
Inspired by the mortal Inquisition, the Sabbat Inquisition primarily targets infernalists, such as the practitioners of Dark Thaumaturgy. The Inquisition also targets heretics: apologists for (or agents of) the Camarilla or the Antediluvians, and others who deny Caine or preach against Noddism. Although Lilith cults are a popular target of the Inquisition, the sect nevertheless retains an underground network of Bahari who follow the Path of Lilith.
History[]
The Inquisition was founded in 1804 by Priscus Gustav Mallenhous, who had encountered a cult of demon-worshippers in Europe and saw the need to prevent such groups from infiltrating the Sabbat. The Priscus was assisted by the Shepherds of Caine, a Montréal-based pack of Noddists whose members included future inquisitors Alfred Benezri and Soeur Jeanne.
By the end of the 19th century, the Inquisition, now led by Soeur Jeanne, had become a political tool, and lost its ability to enforce the Code of Milan. Julian of Avignon, an Assamite antitribu and dominion of the Black Hand, met with Alfred Benezri in 1911 to plan a radical reform of the Inquisition – a reform that could only come about if Jeanne and her inner circle were eliminated.
In 1919, Julian led Black Hand forces in destroying Soeur Jeanne, and the Inquisition fell to ruin. In 1924, Julian stood down as a dominion and reestablished the Inquisition, at least in part because he recognized that the Black Hand was being manipulated by an unknown third party (though he remained unaware of the True Black Hand itself). Julian thus became the first Grand Inquisitor, and retained the title for decades despite at least a dozen assassination attempts, some or all of which were orchestrated by the True Hand.
Julian was killed by his own sire under order of the True Hand in 1970, though Julian managed to slay the traitor before he died. Julian's successor did not emerge until 1973, when María Sandoza became the sect's second Grand Inquisitor.
Organization[]
The Inquisition is led by the Grand Inquisitor, who is appointed directly by the Regent and supervised by a separate envoy bound to the Regent. The current title is held by María Sandoza.
Individual inquisitors are considered a subset of templars, and so hold a similar level of authority in the sect. Despite Julian's role in the Inquisition's renaissance (or perhaps because of it), the Sabbat Inquisition has many rivals or outright foes within the Black Hand, and vice versa. All templars (including inquisitors) are formally barred from membership in the Black Hand, and vice versa. The only two Cainites who ever attempted to join both groups vanished without a trace before either one could complete their initiation.
The order's acting ranks are the Knight Inquisitors and the more senior Judge Inquisitors, who are usually organized in nomadic packs of up to five members. The team is typically led by the most senior Judge, who holds the position of Ductus for the pack.
Watchers, usually retired Judges, oversee these field agents from a stronghold known as Santo Oficio ("The Holy Office"), a hidden location which is the core of the Sect. They catalogue every trial and investigation of an inquisitor.
References[]
- VTM: Guide to the Sabbat, p. 36-37
- VTM: Montreal By Night, p. 123-126
- VTM: Storytellers Handbook to the Sabbat, p. 47-48
- VTM: Archons & Templars , p. 105-115
- VTM: Player's Guide to the Sabbat, p. 22