Changes to the Rarity In-Clan based Upon Sect, Caste and Rank information

3.c.iii. Genre Coordinators must pass before Council any plot, enforced policy, R&U named characters, or binding edict they wish to use which they can reasonably expect to affect multiple chronicles and these proposals need not be seconded, but go immediately into discussion.

This is an extended update to the information presented regarding learning sorcery out of caste/sect and rank. This will be added to the current assamite sorcery packet once approved.

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Rarity In-Clan Based Upon Sect, Caste and Rank:
The Assamites are a caste based clan. If you've gotten this far, you should already know this, but do you know what that means? Most Westerners simply don't. In the case of the Assamites, it is a rigid structure that supports the clan like the legs of a tripod. The way it 'is' has not changed in millennia. It may or may not be inherently 'right' or 'wrong', but it is the way it has always been, and will not change.

When a warrior needs magic, he does not request to learn sorcery, he asks for a sorcerer. The concept of asking to learn it himself is alien. While not intended as an insult to his brothers and sisters of the Sorcerer caste, it is a terrible admission of weakness on the part of the Warrior caste. The individual requesting it is essentially saying that the entirety of the Warrior line is incapable of dealing with a problem without the aid of the most basic learning’s of the Sorcerers. Now, with more Westerners being added to the ranks there is less ‘understanding' and appreciation of the caste system. Generally, the newcomers to the ranks see it as a 'short cut' to getting things done efficiently. The elders see such requests as hubris at best, gross ignorance and a slight to them at worst.

In the history of the clan, there have been times when the castes disagreed. There was and always will be at least friendly rivalry with one another (think how the military has 'rivalries' with one another, yet they generally don't come to blows with one another). At their worst, said rivalries have had devastating effects on the clan, such as Haqim's leaving the Mountain, apparently forever. More so, most of the conflicts have been between the Viziers and the Warriors, with the Sorcerers caught in the middle. Even the Schism is mostly a conflict between the Vizier and Warrior castes. To continue the analogy to the military, the army does not captain battleships, and the navy doesn't drive tanks.

Understanding that, there are times when a warrior or vizier would learn magic. It generally comes when an individual performs some extraordinary service or act for the sorcerer caste. However, other issues still arise. First and foremost is the 'how' of casting. Each sorcerer casts spells in their own special way. The warrior or vizier would also have to find their own 'way' to cast, as specified above, regarding things such as song, trance, etc. Second, what will be taught would not be the choice out-of-caste student. Viziers are likely to learn rituals or paths that augment and support their obsessive ability. Warriors may learn a few bits that augment a combat specialty. Beyond this, the Schismatics are as mentioned, a Vizier based movement. While the Warriors are their brothers and sisters, there is an extremely cautious attitude amongst the sorcerers about the Schismatic warriors that will always hinder the likelihood of their training in sorcery.

For the loyalist caste it is something that is not negotiable for members of the clan. You are what you embraced into and the Usurper does not make exceptions. To go before him regardless if you are on bended knee is likely to cause you more harm than good. Loyalist Assamites do NOT ask to learn out-of-caste sorcery.
The sorcerers of the Unconquered do not enjoy the position of relative respect afforded to their Camarilla brethren. The Sabbat has always been a sect focused on waging war, not patient magical study. Having said that a Sorcerer can usually find a welcome niche in the magically-starved Sword of Caine as advisers on occult matters and, when necessary, arcane reinforcement is required.

However, the Unconquered do not enjoy their Schismatic brethrens' libraries and resources depleting their ability to garner new knowledge. To them, each individual Sorcerer is a unique and cherished link to the history and tradition of their blood that they cannot afford to waste or dilute, and a part of that history is a clear delineation between the lines of Haqim. The Hulul and his Shakari frown upon, although not expressly forbidding, any Sorcerer who parts with his knowledge, even to another Unconquered. To do so is to blur the lines of what little heritage remains to them. As the memories of their home and way of unlife are all that holds them back from becoming the monsters of the Sabbat, the loss of even a small part of that makes them unique is something they do not risk.

In nights of old, the caste system was something that was known and accepted by all who were brought into the clan. Even as recently as the pre-WWII era, and even now in the old world, it was accepted that your role was what your elders said it was--even amongst mortals.

Recently more westerners have been brought into the clan, many from places where democracy is prevalent, as well as a mentality that you could 'grow up to be anything you wanted'. This sense of entitlement has followed the newly embraced into the clan, and is a hard habit to break. Many young warriors and viziers, brought into the clan see the minor miracles that sorcerers are able to bring forth and wonder 'why not me too?'

More and more “new world” Children of Haqim have requested to learn sorcery, with the belief 'they earned it'. Simply put, from the elders perspective, they have not ‘earned it’ nor shall they ever, and nor should they even have the temerity to ask. Such requests at first were thought to be an oddity. Perhaps there was something missing in their Sire’s training or something in the teaching of the neonates. Over the past few years, the requests increased in number, even from the rigorously trained young members of the clan.

The elders have had enough.

Those who now ask might get a single warning to stay to their tasks. They were brought into the family for a purpose with which they will fulfill. A second time might see their privileges within their caste stripped. Beyond this they will find themselves at the mercy of their elders in both rank and power. This could take the form of rituals like 'Rite of Marduk Triumphant', assignment to mundane tasks or sequestered to ponder and contemplate their role within the clan.

If part of the reason for learning out-of-caste sorcery is 'nothing left to buy' or some feeling of feeling its 'deserved', the likelihood of approval drops considerably. ST’s should contact their local SubCoord in any case of interest in out-of-case sorcery and discuss it with the Assamite team.
Learning out of caste sorcery means that the vizier or warrior is treated as a rank 1 sorcerer, and learns only paths and rituals available to a rank 1 sorcerer, and starting paths at that (denoted by an asterisk below).

Caste & Sect
Schismatic/Loyalist
Dispossessed/Anarch
Antitribu (S)
Sorcerer
As per normal
As if they were 3 ranks lower
As if they were 2 ranks lower

All those seeking sorcery out of caste must receive Coordinator approval to begin the process of learning sorcery. Furthermore all rituals and paths REQUIRE coordinator approval to learn as well. Those wishing to learn it should have at least acquired sufficient rank and have proper justifications to even approach the elders of their caste as well as the Amr with such a request. Those who frivolously waste the time of the eldest should expect to meet a very unfriendly welcome.
(S) There are very few Assamite Antitribu Sorcerers or Viziers left in the Sabbat (and very few to begin with). The vast majority of the Assamites of the Sabbat that did know sorcery were largely once a part of the Black Hand. Most of those high profile members (WW NPCs) have since abandoned the Sabbat altogether –returning to Mt. Alamut or joining the ranks of the Dispossessed. [See WW2428: Caine’s Chosen the Black Hand]Running Sneakers2021 adidas Yeezy Release Dates Updated