Custom Sabbat Ritae
Some chronicles allow for their players to develop customized powers for their characters. The following is a compilation of player created custom content in OWBN. At this time, custom content that is created and/or used by vampire PC's is required to be listed.
The Daughter of the Dark Father stand guard over the most holy places of the Sabbat. The Temples of Caine, the Black Cathedrals, and other holy sites they view as their purpose to safeguard. As such, when a daughter takes a duty to stand guard at one of these sites they perform this ritae. The daughter recites the creed of the cult and passages from the book of nod constantly to perform this ritae, as long as they do so they gain a slight benefit in their duties and blessings from Caine.
System: As long as the vampire continues to speak and recites their prayer uninterrupted when guarding a location they gain a free retest in all challenges they must make to defend the chosen sabbat holy site.
System: The cainite clears their mind by confessing their sins against their path and moments of weakness to the performing priest. Depending on the severity of the sin in question the Priest might offer contrition to the sinner in question. After the sinner has made peace with themself and Caine, the Priest blesses them, marking him across his forehead with a trait of vitae. This absolves the Cainite of his sin, giving him a renewed sense of clarity. System: Completion of this Ritus (Which must be roleplayed) gives the confessor in this Ritae a +1 trait bonus to conscience and conviction challenges for the evening.
A hold over from an ancient Tzimisce tradition of vampiric political weddings, the Red wedding ritae is still practiced by some of the Sabbat who wish to either form a stronger bond among sect meets or even still for political reasons. The Ritae itself requires a mortal wedding. One of which the Sabbat invade. The gathered Cainites proceed to brutally murder and terrorize the mortal wedding and turning it into a blood affair. After which, the two cainites that wish to announce their bond to one another bath in the blood of the victims on the altar and solidify their “marriage”. This is by no means a actual marriage between vampires, it is a mockery of the mortal tradition perverted by the Sabbat to make a statement over mortal traditions and the Cainite blood is stronger then words.
System: Characters that have undergone a Red Wedding develop a special bond that lasts until the vampire reaches final death. When in the presence of the other character they have performed the Red Wedding with; the character is considered to have 1 additional temporary willpower trait that may go over generational maximums. If this trait is spent, is does not return for one month. This ritae does not stack with the Merits True Love or Loyalty.
Collecting the skulls of their fallen vampire enemies is a tradition among the Sword of Caine. It is a mark of pride in battle and killing the enemies of Caine. These skulls are carefully taken care of, prepared and cared for by those who Headhunt. Some members of the Sabbat clergy even developed this ritae to help with the practice. A Skull from a fallen vampire enemy of the Sabbat is carefully prepared with this ritae and preserved. Enochian carvings are made in the skull and blood soaked into the bone. Any vampire who sees a member of the Sabbat who bears a Skull from this ritae adorned on them will instinctually feel terror and dread, that they might be next.
System: This ritae creates an item from the skull of a fallen enemy of the Sabbat vampire as a requirement. When the skull is worn by a member of the Sabbat in some manner (either as decorative jewelry, or some craft it into a mask), those vampires who enemies of the Sabbat who can see the Skull made with this ritae, are two traits down in all brawl or melee combat with the member of the Sabbat who wears this item. Those such affected by this, may spend 1 temporary willpower to be immune to this effect for one scene or an hour.
"The soul recoils. The shadow remains"
Overview: This rite is used to mark a failed or disgraced Inquisitor with the Sigil of Trepidation — a mystical glyph that brands them as one who has faltered in the eyes of the Watch. It is not Final Death, nor exile, but a living sentence of shame and judgment. The mark is both physical and spiritual, difficult to hide, painful to bear, and visible as a kind of "wound of guilt." It is not necessarily permanent — but removing it requires public penance, a second ritual, and the Watch Inquisitor’s blessing.
Requirements:
The accused must have been found guilty of dereliction, heretical behavior, insubordination, or breach of Inquisitorial trust — but not full betrayal or Infernalism (which warrants destruction).
A Watch Inquisitor must oversee the rite.
At least three Witnesses of the Inquisition must be present.
The Ritae:
Preparation of the Marking Stone: A large, black obsidian slab (or abyss-forged stone) is prepared. The Sigil of Trepidation is carved into it in vitae, ash, and blessed salt. It is Lasombra in origin, angular, and asymmetrical — it invokes discomfort even in those who do not recognize it.
Invocation of Judgment: The Watch Inquisitor reads aloud from the Codex Obscura, intoning: “Let the shadow that bore them recoil. Let the fire that tested them flicker. Let their name be known, marked, and remembered — not for glory, but for the wound they left upon the Sword.”
The Kneeling of the Accused: The Accused must kneel, bare-chested or exposed at the intended site of branding (usually throat, chest, or face). They are commanded to confess their failing in one sentence — and then remain silent.
The Branding: A ceremonial Inquisitorial brand, heated in sacred flame, is pressed to the flesh. The pain causes a scream, even from the most stoic Cainite — this is required. The Watch Inquisitor shouts: “Let all who see remember: this one has faltered. Let the mark speak what their tongue dares not.” The brand burns into the flesh, resistant to healing, Obfuscate, and Vicissitude.
The Circle Watches: After the brand is complete, each Witness of the Inquistion speaks a single word of judgment (e.g., “Shame.” “Weakness.” “Pride.” “Forgetfulness.”
Final Words: The Watch Inquisitor concludes: “This one walks beneath the sigil. May it burn upon them until their soul remembers how to kneel. Let them rise — but let no shadow shield them.”
This Brand cannot be removed except through:
Formal penance and ritual absolution.
Final Death.
Intervention by a Watch Inquisitor or The Grand Inquisitor.
"What shadow was bound may be unbound - if the soul proves itself brighter."
Overview: This rite is performed only after:
The branded Inquisitor has fulfilled their period of silence or exile or other punishment.
They have returned to service or been recalled by the Watch.
They have undergone a final judgment, either through penance, ordeal, or Inquisitorial tribunal.
The rite must be approved by a Watch Inquisitor or The Grand Inquisitor.
WARNING: If the penitent is found unworthy during the ritae (via failed challenge, poor confession, or loss of composure), the Sigil is not removed — and the Watch may declare Final Death or impose further penance.
Requirements:
The branded must return voluntarily to face the Watch.
At least seven Witnesses of the Inquisition must be present.
The original Sigil stone or mark must be present (if possible), to symbolically "unbind" what was bound.
The Ritae:
Purification by Blood and Ash: The branded is ritually bathed in sacramental vitae, ashes of the Inquisition’s dead, and saltwater blessed by True Faith (or with an Iron Reliquary).
Recitation of the Offense: The branded must kneel before the Watch Inquisitor and recite their original offense aloud — word for word, with no lies or omissions. They must then speak how they atoned, and what they have learned.
Ordeal of Stillness: The branded must endure a silent test:
Bound in shadow (Obtenebration or magical binding).
Surrounded by Auspex-wielding Inquisitors who observe their aura for deceit, corruption, or infernal residue.
Duration: One full hour (or one scene in game).
Any failure of composure, attempt to lie, or aura corruption halts the rite.
Cleansing Flame and Shadow: If the branded passes, the Watch Inquisitor summons a consecrated blade or relic, held in shadow. They say: "The sin was named. The shadow held it. Now let the fire claim it." The Sigil is cut, burned, or mystically unraveled — physically and spiritually removed. The pain is as intense as branding, and the branded must scream to symbolize the letting go of pride.
Mark of Renewal: Once the Sigil is gone, the Watch places a new mark:
A scar in the shape of a broken circle, symbolizing a wound closed but not forgotten. Not mystical, just symbolic — a permanent reminder.
The Watch Inquisitor ends the rite: "This one was judged. This one bore the mark. This one has stood, not above the shadow — but within it, and survived. Let them rise anew — scarred, but unshackled."
The first ritae were developed by the Tzimisce who used their ancient magics to create them in the early nights of the Anarch revolt. Pulling upon the ties between Blood Magic and Ritae itself a priest can transfer some of their own power to their packmates for a limited time. This ritae is performed in conjunction with the Vaulderie and the priest also performs whatever normal ritual casting steps are used to empower their blood magic. Whips of arcane blood magic energy can be seen transferring from the priest into the Vaulderie chalice when this ritae is completed.
System: Once per month when the Pack Priest performs the Vaulderie, they can place a beneficial Blood Magical Ritual they know upon the entire Pack. This ritae only functions on Packmates of the Packpriest themselves, and no other members of the Sabbat. Additionally, the pack priest performing this ritae may only gift one blood magic ritual, that they themselves possess, to the packmate/s recipient/s; and this ritae may not be cast multiple times in a month. This ritual may not be modified by other rituals, and will last is normal duration and no longer as per its write up. Finally the pack priest may only bestow the benefits of a Blood Magic ritual they possess to a packmate based on the following vinculum chart:
Basic Rituals: Vinculum Rating 2 or higher
Intermediate Rituals: Vinculum Rating 4 or higher
Advanced Rituals: Vinculum Rating 6 or higher
The ritae is meant to help the cainite mind and the beast understand how each will react under a given situation. The priest guides their packmate in an hour-long meditation, walking them through a series of imaginary events that ultimately cause the cainite to enter a controlled fenzy. The events described by the priest will place the cainite in situation of personal challenge they are currently ging through or are likely to face in the future.
Mechanics: The subject of the ritae spends a temporary willpower and enters into a controlled frenzy. For the remainder of the night they are plus two on all instincts challenges.
In this ritae the priest serves as the moderator in a debate between two cainites. The topic of discussion may be focused on the particular meaning of a passage from the book of nod, the location of some hidden artifact, the fundamental quality of some aspect of the vampiric form, or any other topic the noddist may find stimulating and worthy of debate and study. Should a participant resort to ad hominid or physical attacks against their opponent the priest ends the debate typically declaring the subject of the attack the victor.
System: At the successful completion of the ritae, and the training/sparring concludes, all participants regain traits/items spent during this training/sparring session. This includes temporary willpower, attributes, abilities, health levels, all uses of Aegis, and items such as bullets or throwing daggers. Vitae expended is still spent. Any disruption of the ritae will cause the ritae to fail, and all benefits negated. Presiding priest must decide at time of performing the ritae what is expected of participants, drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable conduct.
"The Eye closes. The Sword turns. The Watch shall no longer see you."
Overview:
This rite is used when a member of the Inquisition is judged:
Unworthy, through repeated failure, disgrace, weakness, or breach of trust.
But not heretical or corrupted enough to justify Final Death.
And not penitent or capable enough to reclaim their position through the Rite of the Shadow’s Release.
It is the final and irreversible severing from the Inquisition.
Only the Grand Inquisitor or equivalent authority can overturn it — and even that is nearly unheard of.
Participants:
The Accused, stripped of regalia or symbols.
The Grand Inquisitor.
At least five Witnesses of the Inquisition.
A Shadowbearer — one who carries the Flame or Relic of the Watch. (This is just a Watch Inquisitor carrying a symbolic blade of the Watch)
The Ritae:
The Gathering in Silence
The Inquisitorial circle gathers at the hour of deepest night.
No words are spoken until the rite begins.
The Accused stands at the center, unbound, but surrounded by the Circle.
The Reading of Judgment
The Watch Inquisitor steps forward and reads aloud a brief but damning record:
“[Name], formerly sworn to the Inquisition ,you were entrusted with sight, silence, and the flame. You have faltered in ways that shadow the Inquisition. You are judged unworthy to continue in our service.”
The Breaking of the Vow
A consecrated black cord or chain, symbolic of Inquisitorial loyalty, is brought forth.
It is tied around the Accused’s wrists — and then cut cleanly by the Shadowbearer, using a sanctified obsidian blade or reliquary dagger.
The Grand Inquisitor or Watch Inquisitor intones: “Your oath is broken. The Eye no longer sees you. The Flame no longer shields you.”
The Casting of Ash: Each Witness steps forward and casts a pinch of ash or dust at the Accused — this symbolizes that their name is no longer preserved in the sacred record of the Inquisition. The final handful comes from a Watch Inquisitor or the Grand Inquisitor, who says: “Go now, empty. You may yet serve the Sword — but you will never again stand within the Inquisition.”
The Turning of the Circle
The Circle turns their backs on the Accused for the duration of thirteen heartbeats.
The Accused is expected to walk away in silence — if they speak, plead, or protest, they may be struck down or declared heretic on the spot.
Consequences of this Ritae:
The character may not rejoin the Inquisition under normal means.
All Inquisition-specific powers are removed (either through ritual or political enforcement).
Their name is struck from the Inquisition’s internal records.
Sabbat Priests or Packs may still accept them, but many will never fully trust them again.
Any attempt to use Inquisition secrets or authority afterward may be met with lethal response.
Special Variation: The Flame is Denied
For particularly egregious but not deadly offenses, the Watch may refuse to return the Accused’s tongue, if previously removed during penance. This creates a permanent mark of exile — a mute former Inquisitor, allowed to live, but no longer allowed to speak in the Inquisition's name.