Community configurations in the novel

Overview

In 1999, the mysterious and utter destruction of the Tremere Antitribu left the Sabbat vulnerable, without competent blood sorcerers to counter the Camarillan Tremere, or independent clans such as the Assamites or Giovanni. The highest ranks of the Sabbat Clergy took immediate steps to address the problem, creating a Pack known only as ‘The Scholars’ based out of 

Montreal and under the leadership of Father Juan Carlos, a Brujah Priest, to re-discover the lost secrets of House Goratrix.

At the same time, in Mexico City, Esteban Agua y Tierra, a Tzimisce Koldun, and his packmate La Viuda Blanca, one of the reclusive and newly emerged Harbingers of Skulls, discovered the abandoned Haven of a powerful Tremere Anti-Tribu and began conducting their own research.

Over the next decade, a small network of Priests, Occultists and Scholars grew up among the Sabbat of North America. Not until 2010 did the Underground achieve the breakthrough they had been looking for, however; by combining ancient Mayan blood magic native to North America with the tomes of the Tremere Anti-tribu, they were able to craft a Blood Sorcery that could be taught among their brothers and sisters. At the 2010 Palla Grande in New York City, the Underground made its debut, standing among the other factions of the Sabbat in an attempt to avert Civil War.

Beliefs of the Occult Underground

*In order to survive and defeat its enemies, the Sabbat must have skilled Occultists of its own

*Regardless of Clan, only those of the Occult Underground have the knowledge to practice Blood Magic safely, and ensure that it is being used in the best interests of the Sect

*The Underground must be constantly on guard against those who seek the easy path to power  and delve into the infernal arts

Nickname

Witch,“Ah Nakom”

As Occultists, the Underground often finds itself regarded with the same caution as the late Tremere Antitribu.

Symbols and Iconography

The relatively small numbers of The Underground make any statement about symbols or 

iconography somewhat misleading; while The Scholars’ in Montreal have a fondness for Priests robes, for instance, the rest of the movement does not neccessarily follow suit.

Since the movement’s ‘debut’ in New York, however, severl prominent members have begun wearing Mayan symbols as something of a badge, most commonly the ‘Eagle’ for its

associations with wisdom and contemplation, or ‘Night’, for obvious reasons.

Role within the Sabbat

The Occult Underground has not yet taken sides in the political conflicts of the Sabbat; the Consistory has, however, assigned the Inquisition to oversee the spread of Bacaban through the Sabbat and to watch for signs of infernalism. It remains to be seen whether working closely with The Inquisition will bring the two factions together, or drive a wedge of resentment between them.

Furthermore, the Underground regards any Blood Mages who do not join its ranks with suspicion, including Lasombra Abyss Mystics, Tzimisce Kolduns, Assamite Sorcerors, or  Harbinger Necromancers.

Prerequisites to Join

(Note: The following sections are reprinted from the Occult Underground Packet) The requirements for PC’s to join the Occult Underground are as follows:

Storyteller Approval and Occult Underground Sub-coord Approval

Abilities: Rituals x2, Lore: Kindred x2, Lore: Sabbat x2, Lore: Noddist 1, Occult x3, Astrology x2, Theology x2

Backgrounds: Occult Influence x2 or Occult Library x2 Status: Ordained Priest

Morality: Path of Enlightenment (Must be a Sabbat Path of Enlightenment, not Humanity) at level 2

Immediate Benefits of Neophyte

-Neophytes may be given access to Rarity 1 Bakuban

- The Occult Underground is made up exclusively of Priests; finding a teacher for Ritae,

therefore, is casually simple for members. The Underground may be used by any member to provide a teacher for up to level 5 of both the Rituals Ability and Background.

- Long before they were able to trade in Bacaban, the Underground traded in knowledge, and this practice continues today. Members of the Underground may learn the following Lores at

level 1 from their brothers and sisters: Lore: Tremere Antitribu, Lore: Demon, Lore: Infernal, Lore: Mages, Lore: Thaumaturgy, Lore: Abyss, Lore: Spirits, Lore: Umbra

- The Underground often finds Auspex useful in their nightly activities; fortunately, there are more than enough Tzimisce and Harbingers in the Underground to act as instructors. Members of the Underground may purchase the Basic levels of Auspex, taught by another member of the Faction.

- The Underground accepts members who practice other forms of Blood Magic as well; instead of access to Bakuban, these members may, once a month, use their Underground contacts to unearth a Basic Ritual for their Blood Magic as if they had taken the level 3 Occult Influence Action, subject to their usual Rarity restrictions.

Immediate Detriments of Neophytes

Faction members tend toward antagonistic relationships with occultists of other clans who are not members of the Faction, particularly Tzimisce Kolduns and Lasombra Abyss Mystics.

Prerequisites For Advancement (Cleric)

Abilities: Rituals x4, Lore: Kindred x4, Lore: Sabbat x4, Lore: Noddist: 3, Occult x5, Astrology x3, Theology x4

Backgrounds: Occult influence x4 or Occult Library x4

Status: Bishop, Templar to an Archbishop (or Higher), Paladin

Morality: Path of Enlightenment (MUST be a Sabbat Path, not Humanity) at level 4 Paths: Two Rarity 1 Paths at Advanced*

Rituals: 15 Rarity One Rituals*

As a general rule, candidates will not be considered for advancement to this Rank until they have been neophytes for at least 6 months.

*These requirements hold for non-Bakuban blood mages; they merely are measured on their  skill with their chosen paradigm of sorcery.

Immediate Benefits of Clerics

Clerics may be given access to Rarity 2 Bakuban

- Clerics of the Underground may learn the following Lores at level 2 from their brothers and sisters: Lore: Tremere Antitribu, Lore: Demon, Lore: Infernal, Lore: Mages, Lore: Thaumaturgy, Lore: Abyss, Lore: Spirits, Lore: Umbra

- The Underground often finds Auspex useful in their nightly activities; fortunately, there are more than enough Tzimisce and Harbingers in the Underground to act as instructors. Clerics of  the Underground may purchase the Intermediate levels of Auspex, taught by another member of  the Faction.

- The Underground accepts members who practice other forms of Blood Magic as well; instead of access to Bakuban, these members may, once a month, use their Underground contacts to unearth an Intermediate Ritual for their Blood Magic as if they had taken the level 4 Occult Influence Action, subject to their usual Rarity restrictions.

Immediate Detriments of Regional Importance Prerequisites For Advancement (Master)

Abilities: Rituals x5, Lore: Kindred x5, Lore: Sabbat x5, Lore Noddist x4, Occult x5, Lore:

Tremere Antitribu x2, Lore: Demon x2, Lore: Infernal x2, Astrology x5, Theology x5, and a Specialization in the Mayan Religion

Backgrounds: Occult Influence x5 or Occult Library x5

Status: Archbishop, Priscus, Cardinal, Regent, Inquisitor or direct agent for the Inquisition, and Heads of the Occult Underground

Morality: Path of Enlightenment (MUST be a Sabbat Path, not Humanity) at level 4 Paths: Two Rarity 2 Paths at Advanced

Rituals: 15 Rarity 2 Rituals

As a general rule, candidates will not be considered for advancement to this Rank until they have been Clerics for at least 1 Year.

Immediate Benefits of Masters

Masters may be given access to Rarity 3 Bakuban

- Masters of the Underground may learn the following Lores at level 3 from their brothers and sisters: Lore: Tremere Antitribu, Lore: Demon, Lore: Infernal, Lore: Mages, Lore: Thaumaturgy, Lore: Abyss, Lore: Spirits, Lore: Umbra

- The Underground often finds Auspex useful in their nightly activities; fortunately, there are more than enough Tzimisce and Harbingers in the Underground to act as instructors. Masters of the Underground may purchase the Advanced level of Auspex, taught by another member of  the Faction.

- The Underground accepts members who practice other forms of Blood Magic as well; instead of access to Bakuban, these members may, once a month, use their Underground contacts to unearth an Advanced Ritual for their Blood Magic as if they had taken the level 5 Occult

Influence Action, subject to their usual Rarity restrictions.

Immediate Detriments of National Importance

Known Members

Esteban Agua y Tierra - A Tzimisce Koldun and Bacaban practicioner based in Mexico City, Esteban has become the de facto head of the faction in recent months - somewhat strange, as it was Father Juan Carlos who was originally charged with researching the tomes of the Tremere Antri-Tribue. Some whisper that even among the Occult Underground, some Clans are more equal than others, and that the Consistory favors a Tzimisce over a mere antitribu.

Father Juan Carlos - Priest and charismatic leader of The Scholars, perhaps the only full Pack of Occult Underground members in existence, based out of Montreal. Juan Carlos was a Jesuit in life, and values logic and learning as much as faith. Among the Underground, it has quickly become seen as an honor to give confession to ‘The Father’.

La Viuda Blanca - Mysterious and anti-social, La Viuda Blanca seemed an odd choice to

represent the Underground in New York City. Several members of the faction have speculated that the only reason to send The Harbinger was that the Underground knew ahead of time that negotiations would break down, and that the meeting was a waste of time.

Suggested Paths of Enlightenment

Caine, Cathari, Death and the Soul, Metamorphosis, Redemption Suggested Merits and Flaws

Ability Aptitude: Occult; Calm Heart; Code of Honor: Popol Vuh; Concentration; Oracular Ability;

Secret Society Member  Combination Disciplines

Name  Name the Fallen

Disciplines Required Auspex 3, Blood Magic 1 Book/Page Archons & Templars pg 140

Rarity Master 

System By spending a Blood Trait and making a Mental challenge (see difficulty chart below) a

Thaumaturge may identify a deceased person, kindred or kine. The Thaumaturge must have a part

of the physical remains, such as a bone, finger or other body part, a  pile of ash is also sufficient. If 

the test is not successful, the body part being used cannot be used again to identify the deceased; a

new part must be used on a new attempt.

Only the identity of the person is given. The user does not get any information about clan, method

of death, generation, powers or abilities. This must be d etermined by alternate means or powers.

Time since death Difficulty: Kindred Difficulty: Kine

Less than 24 9 7

Disciplines Required Auspex 2, Blood Magic 1

Book/Page Guide to the Low Clans 163

Rarity Cleric

System Use the system for Thaumaturgical Sight found

in the Clanbook: Tremere Revised pg. 47

Xp Cost: 3

Media Sources