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.
"We do not break each other in secret. We tear the veil and judge in the light."
Overview: The Rite of the Veil Torn is an Inquisition ritual designed to resolve conflict between two members of the Inquisition, or between inquisitors and accused subordinates, without secrecy, backbiting, or politicking.
This rite exists because:
The Sabbat Inquisition despises internal rot.
Open conflict threatens the Watch’s unity and spiritual authority.
The Inquisition is a meritocracy — accusations, grudges, and challenges must be answered through ordeal, not whispers.
It also reinforces the idea that spiritual authority is tested — and even the just must sometimes defend themselves.
Participants:
The Contenders – The two individuals in open conflict. Can be accuser vs. accused, rival inquisitors, or subordinate and superior.
The Watcher – A Watch Inquisitor presiding over the ritual and acting as final arbiter.
The Witnesses – A minimum of three ranking members of the Inquisition. Additional attendees are welcome but must remain silent.
Optional: A Chronicler of Shadows, who records the proceedings and the verdict in the official Book of Watchkeeping.
Ritae Components:
A black veil or cloth, approximately two meters wide, suspended between the two contenders.
A consecrated circle marked in blood and ash — representing the Watch's unblinking eye.
Optional: A reliquary item such as the Chain of Remembrance or a piece of the Veil of the First Judge (a ceremonial torn cowl).
The Ritae:
The Gathering
All attendees assemble in silence. No speaking occurs until the Watcher begins.
The contenders stand facing the veil, arms folded behind them. Watcher: “There is conflict within the Inquisition. Let the veil be drawn, so the shadow may judge.”
The Declaration of Grievances
One at a time, each contender steps forward and delivers a statement of their grievance in three parts:
The event that led to the conflict.
The flaw or transgression they believe the other has committed.
The result they seek — be it apology, penance, reparation, or removal.
These declarations must be precise, limited to 13 sentences or fewer, and cannot include personal insults. If they do, the Watcher may rebuke the speaker or end the rite.
The Questions of the Watch
The Watcher then poses one question to each contender. The question may be:
Theological (e.g. “What is the purpose of judgment?”)
Moral (e.g. “Is loyalty owed to truth or to rank?”)
Historical (e.g. “When has silence served the Watch best?”)
Contenders must answer immediately, with clarity and conviction.
Failure to answer or evasion is considered a mark of guilt or doubt.
The Tearing of the Veil
The Watcher then speaks:“Words are ended. The veil is torn.”
They tear the black veil down the center, symbolically exposing both parties to truth.
Then, they issue the final challenge:
The Challenge of Ordeal
The contenders are offered one of two outcomes, based on the severity of the case and the Watcher’s judgment:
Option 1: Shared Penance
The Watcher commands both contenders to perform a joint mission of service — such as:
Purging a minor heresy.
Hunting an infernal rumor together.
Retrieving a relic.
Standing judgment over another trial as equals.
This is seen as mutual atonement and a way to rebuild faith.
Option 2: The Circle of Blades
If reconciliation is impossible, a sanctioned duel is ordered:
The contenders step into a chalk-drawn circle.
They are permitted to use Brawl, Melee, or Discipline powers (excluding lethal).
The first to be driven to torpor, surrender, or ejected from the circle is the loser.
The duel is non-lethal — unless either party invokes a Trial by Final Blood, which requires unanimous consent of all Witnesses.
The Watcher declares the victor temporarily justified in the eyes of the Watch.
Final Benediction
Once the trial is complete, the Watcher proclaims: “The veil is torn, the Watch has seen. Let all who stood in shadow return to flame.”
All present may then speak one word of reflection (e.g. “Justice”, “Foolishness”, “Balance”) aloud.
The rite ends in silence.
Abuse of the Rite: If either party is found to have lied, used false evidence, or manipulated the rite for power, they are branded with the Sigil of Trepidation and placed under investigation.
"In silence, we remember. In silence, we remain."
Overview: The Shared Silence is a rite of bonding, reaffirmation, and introspective unity among members of the Sabbat Inquisition. It is not punitive but contemplative — designed to:
Reinforce loyalty and trust among Inquisitors.
Cleanse lingering tension, rivalry, or doubt.
Center the mind before a major trial, investigation, or hunt.
Reaffirm each member’s inner commitment to their sacred duty.
The rite can also be invoked after a schism, internal conflict, or failed mission — serving as a ritual reset to bring cohesion back to the Inquisition.
Ritae Roles:
The Watcher – A Watch Inquisitor or designated senior inquisitor who moderates the rite.
The Circle – All participating Inquisitors (minimum 3, ideally 7+ for symbolic power).
The Shard-Bearer – A member of the Circle chosen to carry the obsidian shard and begin the rite. This role is often rotated or given to the newest Inquisitor.
Ritae Requirements:
A ritual circle made from:
Sanctified salt (for purity),
Crushed bone dust (for remembrance),
And ashen vitae (for sacrifice).
A shard of black obsidian or shadow-forged glass, roughly palm-sized.
A quiet, sealed chamber, ideally underground or enshrouded in Obtenebration to enforce the rite’s solemnity.
Optional: A relic of the Inquisition, such as a crucible lamp, chain of silence, or a copy of the Codex Obscura placed at the circle’s center.
The Ritae:
Formation of the Circle
Participants gather in a circle within the inscribed ring.
Weapons are set aside. No blood may be drawn during this rite.
The room is silently consecrated by the Watcher with a pass of shadow or flame. “We are not the flame tonight. We are the stillness before it.”
Passing of the Shard:
The Shard-Bearer begins by pricking a finger and placing a single drop of blood onto the obsidian shard.
They whisper two truths:
A truth they vow to protect, such as:
“I will shield the innocent.”
“I will not suffer the Baali.”
A lie they once believed, such as:
“That pain is always cruelty.”
“That all monsters are beyond redemption.”
These are spoken softly — not for others, but for the shard to "hold."
The shard is then passed clockwise around the circle.
Each participant adds a drop of blood and whispers their two truths in turn.
Thirteen Minutes of Silence
Once the shard completes its circuit, all place their right hand on it.
The Watcher places their left hand atop the shard and intones:“The sword does not shout. The shadow does not boast.We strike together. We fall alone.Let silence speak what our tongues cannot.”
Thirteen minutes of complete silence must follow.
No gestures, no speaking, no eye contact.
Those who break the silence without cause must re-pledge themselves at a later time through penance.
The Watcher’s Benediction
At the end of the silence, the Watcher speaks the final words: “In silence, we remember. In silence, we remain. This Circle is bound — in judgment, in purpose, in flame.”
The shard is placed in a reliquary or kept by the Watcher for future rites.
Effects of the Ritae:
Reinforces trust and unity.
Clears lingering doubt after trials or failures.
Re-centers Inquisition members in their purpose and identity.
This rite has only one use. It may only be performed in tandem with a Monomacy and allows all spectators to view the holy combat to its fullest. Allowing spectators (not participants) to view the battle in its entirety no matter the method of concealment. This does not break mask of 1000 or other such powers, it simply allows you to maintain a line of sight and grasp of the actual events within the Monomacy. Allowing the presiding priest to better judge the events and that the conditions set are followed. It is important to note that the participants are still prone to their normal effects within the monomacy, as well as this does not count as line of sight for the purposes of activating powers for the observers.
Should someone use Obfuscate 2 somehow within the monomacy as an example. They may still do so if the other participant can't see them but observers can.
System: In the recreation of the ancient Mithrac rite the child of caine follows the ancient steps to receive the blessing of the spirit of Mithras in the coming times. The priest must first secure a bull that is adorned ceremonially and then blessed. It is then lead to a place that is used only for this ritual as the receiver enters adorned in robes. The bull is placed on a higher level standing over a grate as the recipient strips from his robe and enters below. The priest then begins the ceremony as the recipient kneels below and begins to pray. As the incense burns and when the time feels right the priest slits the bull’s throat as the blood pours below onto the recipient. The recipient is considered blessed for the next month as Mithras watches over them. This ritual is mostly for pure role playing benefits, though a Storyteller may feel free to allow the recipient for the next month a free retest on a random event that has gone bad for the character.
In the depths of Mexico City’s ancient necropolises, the Sabbat gathers for a night of communion with the dead. A dozen mortal hearts, freshly harvested, are placed in a circle, their pulses still echoing in the air.
The celebrants meditate in silence, placing their hands over the hearts, feeling the rhythms of the city’s soul. As the last beats fade, the participants share visions of Mexico City’s past, present, and future, glimpsing the secrets buried in its veins.
Some see hidden enemies, treacherous Camarilla spies, or the approach of the Final Nights. Others hear only whispers of the abyss.
System: The participants press their hands to the hearts, spending one Blood Trait to attune themselves to Mexico City’s pulse. Each participant may ask the Storyteller one question about the city’s supernatural underbelly, its politics, or its threats. The ST must provide a cryptic but useful answer.
"Seven flames to purge the soul. Seven virtues to endure. Only the fearless rise."
Overview: The Trial of Seven Breaths is a ritual of penance and purification, used by the Sabbat Inquisition to cleanse spiritual weakness in those who have faltered — but who remain loyal and redeemable.
Unlike rites of shame or exile, this is a test meant to reforge the spirit, particularly for:
Inquisitors who failed in judgment, battle, or faith but seek to prove themselves again.
Inquisitors returning from torpor, exile, or contact with infernal forces.
Inquisitors accused of doubt, cowardice, or unsteadiness, who are not yet worthy of more severe punishment.
This is a rite of correction, not condemnation. It is painful, personal, and silent — a moment of trial in fire and breath, to allow the penitent to remember what it is to serve with clarity.
Participants:
The Accused – The one undergoing the rite.
The Watcher – A Watch Inquisitor presiding over the rite.
The Witnesses – At least five other Inquisitors (ideally seven total), each participating in the ritual flame
Ritual Requirements:
A ritual censer or incense torch, preferably wrought of iron or bone, filled with burning ash, myrrh, powdered bone, and bloodwax.
A circle of sanctified ash and salt, inscribed in mystical script.
Seven stations or marks in the circle, equidistant, where Witnesses will stand.
A sacred flame — blessed (through prayer, vitae, or relic) before the rite begins.
The Ritae:
Invocation: The Watcher steps into the circle and declares: “Let the breath be drawn. Let the shadow lift. Let truth be tried by fire.”
The Accused kneels in the center of the circle, blindfolded, stripped to the waist, arms clasped behind the back. They are to remain still, silent, and absolutely still throughout the rite.
The Circle of Witnesses: Each Witness takes their place at one of the seven marks. Each holds the censer in turn.
The Seven Breaths: Each Witness, in turn, approaches the Accused from behind and:
Passes the burning censer slowly across the Accused’s skin, close enough for the heat to burn but not touch.
Speaks aloud a single virtue the Accused lacks, e.g.:
“Resolve.”
“Focus.”
“Mercy.”
“Discipline.”
“Humility.”
“Obedience.”
“Conviction.”
Each virtue spoken becomes a "breath", a reminder of what the Accused must reclaim or endure.
The final breath, the seventh, is always spoken by the Watcher:
“Endurance.”
Stillness of Judgment:
The Accused must endure all seven passes of the flame without:
Crying out
Flinching
Interrupting
Falling into frenzy.
At the end of the seventh breath, the Watcher speaks: “If you are true — rise.”
The Accused may then rise, remove their blindfold, and speak a single sentence of self-declaration: “I fear no flame that serves the righteous.”
Consequences of the Ritae:
If the Accused endures:
They are declared purified and restored to trust.
They are cleared of all internal reprimands or spiritual doubts.
If the Accused fails:
Any violation of silence or composure results in failure.
The Watcher declares: “You blinked. The flame has judged.”
The Accused is immediately assigned to either: The Circle of Contempt, The Sigil of Trepidation, or another penance mission to prove worthiness through action.
Survivors of the road learned how to hunt without causing too many prying eyes to fall upon them or, more importantly, learned to feed efficiently for when Gehenna kills mortals in mass. This simple ignobilis ritae was formed from the study of the Stealth ritae and the Blood Feast. Those who use this ritae have learned to feed with efficiency and to cover their tracks.
System: This simple ritae, when casted, allows for the participants to double the effectiveness of using abilities like Hunting and Vamp. By spending the appropriate amount of time out of play for using the ability you are able to double the amount of blood you would gain.
While this does not bypass feeding scenes, and their consequences, it allows for the participants to double their results.
Developed by the Wardens as a means to help their siblings against the end times, this ritae calls for the vampire to pay a price to help save others.
System: Invoking the name of Caine, the priest sacrifices in order to use this ritae. The priest must spend blood equal to half their permanent blood pool and willpower equal to half their permanent Willpower pool or half their permanent health levels in the form of unsoakable aggravated damage, the priest may negate one negative effect when dealing with a world shattering event. Those who choose the first option can not regain their pool for the remainder of the scene. This can only be used when an ST allows and the ST may decide what occurs as a result. A player may use this as a means to sacrifice their character for more, but Storytellers are encouraged to do what is best for their plot.
"The flame does not lie. But it listens. And it remembers what it hears."
Overview: The Whisper in the Flame is a rite of revelation and internal investigation.
It is invoked when:
A member of the Inquisition is suspected of corruption, infernal influence, spiritual contamination, or concealment of truth, but
There is insufficient proof for formal punishment or destruction.
This rite is neither a trial nor a sentence. It is a divine test — to determine whether a Cainite stands clean before the Watch or whether they are tainted by lies, shadow, or doubt.
Failure does not guarantee guilt — but it permits escalation to further punishment or spiritual isolation.
Participants:
The Accused – The Cainite under examination.
The Watcher – A Watch Inquisitor (or higher) overseeing the rite.
The Witnesses – A minimum of six Inquisitors, ideally with Auspex 2+, True Faith, or Occult expertise.
The Flamebearer – The Inquisitor who tends the consecrated candles and notes the reactions.
Ritae Requirements:
Seven ritual candles, made from:
Sanctified wax, mixed with bone ash and vitae,
Each anointed with holy oil and the ash of a convicted heretic (if available).
A ritual brazier, flame font, or central fire blessed by the Watch.
A circle inscribed in salt, iron powder, and blood chalk, with a central seat or pillar upon which the Subject sits or kneels.
Optional: A relic or scripture (e.g. Codex Obscura, the Watcher’s Brand, etc.) placed before the Subject as a spiritual mirror.
The Ritae:
Preparation and Consecration
The room is sealed in silence.
The Witnesses take their places around the circle, forming a heptagon — one at each point.
Each candle is lit one by one with a prayer:“Let this flame see what we do not.”
The Subject is brought into the center and commanded to kneel or sit, surrounded by the seven lit candles.
The Invocation
The Watcher stands before the Subject and speaks: “You are not accused. You are not condemned. You are merely seen — by the fire, and by the Watch. If there is truth in you, let it endure. If there is shadow, let it be burned.”
The Seven Questions
Each Witness, in clockwise order, poses one question to the Subject.
Questions may be:
Factual: “Did you enter the chapel on the night the relic vanished?”
Spiritual: “Do you serve the Watch over yourself?”
Theological: “Is the Abyss a path or a poison?”
Philosophical: “Can doubt and conviction coexist?”
The Subject must answer clearly and immediately.
Evasion, hesitation, or deceit causes the flame to react.
Each time the Subject answers, the Flamebearer observes the flame closest to them.
Flame Reaction & Judgment
If the flame burns clean and steady – the answer is considered pure.
If the flame flares, gutters, or leans inward – the Subject is considered stained by:
Deceit (if lying),
Fear (if hesitant),
Taint (if spiritually compromised).
Even one reaction is cause for suspicion.
Multiple reactions may justify immediate branding, penance, or exile.
The Flamebearer records each flame's response and hands the record to the Watcher.
Final Affirmation
The Watcher steps into the circle and commands the Subject: “Speak your final truth. One sentence. Let the flame bear witness.”
The Subject must speak a final sentence of personal conviction.
The flames are then extinguished simultaneously, and the Watcher gives the ruling:
If clean: “The fire remembers you well. You may rise.”
If flawed: “The fire recoils. There is rot in your spirit. We shall see what must be cut away.”
If corrupt: “The flame shrieked. And now we must answer it.
The Subject is immediately restrained for branding or further trial.
Outcomes:
Cleansed:
Subject is restored to good standing within the Watch.
All suspicions are formally set aside unless new evidence emerges.
Flawed:
Subject is referred for:
The Trial of Seven Breaths,
The Circle of Contempt,
Or suspension from Inquisitorial duties.
Aura permanently marked as “seen by the flame” — readable by Auspex.
Corrupt:
Subject is referred for branding, exile, or summary execution, depending on the nature of the detected taint.
Mechanics:
The Subject must make Self-Control, Willpower, or Courage tests during each question (diff 6–8).
The ST or Flamebearer may simulate candle reactions based on Aura Reading, Auspex, or Empathy chops
Witnesses may chop Occult or Theology to interpret flame symbolism.
Name: Thunderdome
Created by: Venom and Sons of Caine of Milwaukee: Black Crusade
Description: Sometimes the bonds of Sword members from different packs go beyond those gained through the Vaulderie. Through time tested support and backing of each other, the pack members of the Sons of Caine and Venom have created a ritae to further prove their trust and devotion to the other’s cause. Through the trust and familiarity, members of both packs are stronger when fighting alongside each other. In preparation of this rite, members of both packs will go and steal motorcycles from the surrounding area as the Sons of Caine members value their personal bikes too highly to include them in this destructive ritae. To perform this rite, attending priests from both packs must know the ritae. The performing priests pool the names of their pack mates into two separate bowls, or helmets if you are so inclined, and teams of two are drawn at random. After teams are drawn and a bracket is made, the members of the Sons of Caine will mount their bikes and their accompanying teammate from Venom will grab a long bludgeoning instrument. A dangerous game that is a mix between chicken and a joust commences as members of Venom attempt to knock the opposing bike over or the opposing team members off while the Sons of Caine member attempts to keep their bike upright and moving. There are very few rules to this event other than that playing dirty is encouraged. When only one team’s bike is left standing a bonfire is started, usually with the now demolished motorcycles and members of both packs party and revel in their accomplishments or lack thereof depending on the events played out during the tournament.
Mechanics: For the rest of the night, when a member of the pack Venom and a member of the pack Sons of Caine, that have both taken part in this ritae are engaged on the same opposing target they are considered to be up one trait on all challenges against their designated target. Switching targets has no effect as long is at least one member of the other pack engaging the target in some way.
The chosen spend much of their free time training for their upcoming missions or keeping their skills sharp. However, in order for a Cainite to go all out, as it we're, requires a great expense of resources. As a result, few members of the Chosen choose to use their full range of skills when in training; as they may be called to act at any moment. To counter this glad, the Ritae of the Training Mission was developed for that exact purpose. Adapted from the Ignoblis Ritae Test of Might a priest can now channel their faith and blessings to the Dark Father in helping his fellow brothers and sisters in being restored after they complete their training. The priest must set forth first what the particular training exercise is before enacting this Ritae and also usually follows with several other Ritae practices by the Black Hand. There after the Chosen undergoing the Training need to no longer feae wasting precious resources in training; when they might need them at any moment.
System: Once the Training Mission ritus is complete all used Attribute Traits, Ability Traits, and Willpower Traits (both Permanent and Temporary) return to all the characters that participated in the Ritae as if they had never used them in the first place. This Ritae may only be used for the actual training missions, not actual operations or missions for the Black Hand, and may not be used in any other instance.