Political Factions Several political factions divide up the seemingly unified Sabbat; while some of the distinctions may seem arbitrary to an outsider, the political stance a member of the Sabbat takes is no less important to them than their pack, their path of enlightenment, or their clan. Central to this political debate are the dual, and frequently opposing roles of the two main Sabbat ideals:  All vampires must be free.  All must be loyal to the Sabbat. These two forces continue to actively divide the Sabbat in different directions to this day, reaching down to such small things as how a member of the Sabbat views status, who they will take orders from, if they will take orders, and when. Thus, knowing what political faction your character belongs to is just as central as their nature and demeanor in determining how they will react to a situation within the game. There are five major factions within the chronicle; the Loyalists, the Moderates, the Panders, the Status Quo, and the Ultraconservatives. 1. The Loyalists represent the far left wing within the Sabbat; in a way, they can be thought of the 'anarchs' of the Sabbat, although they include a number of elder sympathizers among their ranks. The Loyalist movement holds that the only true way to be loyal to the Sabbat is to be loyal to the original principle of the Anarch Movement -- that all vampires must be free and ultimately responsible for their own actions. Orders, rules, and regulations that restrict the freedom and responsibility of the vampire must be removed. While many Loyalists are typical hotheads and renegades, many are also calculating and thoughtful intellectuals -- Dominique from Children of the Inquisition is a excellent example. Many of the original members of the revolt who are now elders still hold Loyalist ideals, or are sympathetic to their ideas. Thus, the Loyalist movement has never been actively persecuted to the extent that the anarchs have been by the Camarilla; similarly, just being a Loyalist is not tantamount to a death sentence (although considerable prejudice will exist in some circles). Most Loyalists: * Do not support the addenda to the Code of Milan, or even most of it. Furthermore, no two Loyalists will probably agree on which sections should be kept in or out * Frequently disregard status * Do not support any action of the Inquisition, any action of the Black Hand, or any political authority above the pack level, but rarely  act against the sect as a whole * May have or hold older variants on the Auctoritas Ritae, or may ignore some of them altogether in favor of their own  Ignoblis Ritae 2. The Moderates represent the vast middle ground of the Sabbat; roughly three quarters of the sect is divided between them and the Status Quo, with most of the Antitribu belonging to the Moderates, and most of the Lasombra, Tzimisce and Assamite Antitribu belonging to the Status Quo. Moderates generally support a strengthening of the pack structure at the expense of the hierarchy, but are willing to work within the power structure to achieve their goals. Many moderates have contacts with all of the factions, and generally have the most flexibility. Most Moderates: * Support the Code of Milan, but may or may not support the addendum * Occasionally disregard status, especially if the vampire in question is from another domain or region * Grudgingly support/respect the Black Hand, will only support the Inquisition if they are present -- generally will try to work against expanded influence by the Inquisition * Observe the Auctoritas Ritae in their current form * Support higher-ranking officials (archbishops and up) but usually give lip service to bishops, templars, and officers of other packs.. 3. The Panders, or Pander movement, represent what the Moderates could become if they changed their focus from greater freedom to greater power. While many Panders share this mindset, not all Panders do (many side with other factions), and other 'moderates' from other clans tread very close to their philosophy of convenience over ideals. The Panders are focused on doing whatever they can to gain as much power and authority within the Sabbat; if it means supporting the Status Quo one week, and allying with the Loyalists the next, they'll do so to save their skin. Generally the power within the sect has lain with the Status Quo, and the Panders have faithfully supported it in lieu of a alternative.. Most Panders: * Support the Code of Milan, will support the addendum depending on who is present * Will disregard status if they feel it is advantageous; otherwise, they will respect it at all times * Will probably support the Black Hand and Inquisition if they feel they will not be acting contrary to their plans * Support any individual with higher status 4. The Status Quo represents the system of leadership and authority that has kept the Sabbat together since the Sabbat Civil War. The current hierarchy of the Sabbat is a testament to the Status Quo, as it is their vision made flesh. The Status Quo literally seeks to keep things the way that they are and work within their current systems, as to allow more freedom will compromise the secrecy -- and eventual security of the sect. Status, security, and the strict observance of the Ritae are the tools that the Status Quo uses to maintain its (shaky) grip on the sect. Most Status Quo: * Support the Code in its full form, with all addenda, faithfully * Rarely if ever disregard status * Support the Black Hand; generally will support the Inquisition if they feel they are acting within reason * Support all officials, including bishops and templars, in their capacities * Try to maintain doctrinal purity, on matters of dogma and the Auctoritas Ritae 5. The Ultraconservatives represent the far right hand of the equation, and the smallest faction in the Sabbat.  Positing a deep dedication to the security of the Sabbat through increased organization and strength, in many ways the Ultraconservatives echo the Path of Power and the Inner Voice. Ultraconservatives will generally follow orders -- if they strengthen the Sabbat and come from strong leaders.  Leadersthat are weak need to be culled, and Sabbat that break the Code or disobey critical orders need to be purged before the sect falls to the Antediluvians. Most Ultraconservatives: * Support the Code in it's full form, and probably have a few more addenda they'd like to add to it * Disregard status from perceived inferiors; otherwise, they support status * Support the Black Hand and enthusiastically support the Inquisition * Enforce doctrinal purity by any means necessary Support the hierarchy over the pack structure, to the point of supporting a templar over a pack leader