You maintain an alternate identity within another sect or clan. Only a few know your real name and identity. You serve your sect or clan by gathering information about the enemy.
This Background is much more common among the Tremere of the Camarilla than any other group. It is virtually impossible for a spy to infiltrate the Sabbat, so the handling of this is left to the Storyteller's discretion.
Some of these vampires are only part-time spies or sleepers. They do not actively gather information, but they can stay in enemy territory unsuspected by most. The rest of the vampires are full-time spies. They do not maintain their real identity at another location, and they are always actively gathering information or accomplishing tasks. Depending upon which type of spy you are, you may or may not be able to live your own unlife. You might have to constantly live the Alternate Identity for the length of the mission.
You have developed trust among those upon whom you spy and, at your discretion, your mission is known only to your liaison, to whom you pass on information and from whom you receive your orders. You may or may not have real friends among the enemy, but you must never reveal your secret to anyone.
The following descriptions are for full-time spies. Part-time spies are not as trusted and may not increase beyond a rating of two without good roleplaying. Tremere antitribu cannot take this Background Trait.
* You are new at this spy game. You have not developed complete trust and you will be a prime suspect if something goes wrong. You have virtually no clout or access to information.
* * You are a capable spy. You have a fair reputation and the trust of a few good friends within enemy ranks. Your access to information is limited.
* * * You have had years to build up a good reputation. You are well respected and you are trusted as well as any vampire is trusted by another. You are privy to some private conversations between leaders, but not a whole lot.
* * * * You are of high status and respect among the enemy. You will not be suspected of any wrongdoing. You have the trust and friendship of many powerful Kindred. You have access to most information discussed in private.
* * * * * You are the ultimate spy. You are trusted by almost everyone, and many owe you big favors. You have so many secrets that you could keep most mouths shut if they were to find out who you really are. You are trusted by the prince and the primogen, and you may even be one of them if you choose the appropriate Background Traits.
You are a member of the notorious Black Hand. Of course, you must be a member of the Sabbat in order to take this Background. You are a full-fledged member of the Hand with all the rights and responsibilities that accompany the position.
You may call upon other Hand members for assistance in times of great need. They also have the right to call upon you. You will be given great opportunity for both diablerie and destruction. There is a certain prestige that accompanies being a Hand member. You must answer when your leaders call and you must obey the leaders of the Sabbat as well as those of the Black Hand. Early in your career as a Hand member, you will be given the most dangerous assignments. You will also be involved in Crusades that will take you away from your pack.
Your rating in this Background shows your relative position in the Black Hand.
* You are a lowly grunt.
* * You are known and respected in the Hand.
* * * You are equal to a lieutenant in rank, even though the Hand has no defined ranks. You may lead a small force of the Hand.
* * * * You are a well-respected leader in the Hand. You are the equivalent of a major in rank. You are allowed to order and lead a large group of Hand members.
* * * * * You are a dominion in the Black Hand. This is the equivalent of a general in the military. You may order and lead large numbers of Black Hand members.
In addition to Clan Prestige and Sabbat Status, there is another area of social distinction - Pack Recognition. It acts much like Prestige or Status, influencing other vampires to act in a manner you desire; however, it is limited to your own pack. The amount of Recognition you possess defines your relative leadership position within your pack.
While it may seem Sabbat Status would overwhelm Pack Recognition, the members of your pack see you only by your Pack Recognition rating. Thus, you could be a bishop and still be so disliked by your packmates that they would not support you. It is important to have your pack's support if you want to ever achieve real power. Unfortunately, Recognition occasionally runs at odds with Prestige and Status.
* You are accepted in the pack.
* * You are well liked by most of your fellow pack members.
* * * You are treated with great respect by your comrades.
* * * * You are considered a pack hero.
* * * * * You are unmistakably the leader of the pack.
Sabbat do not keep mortals as allies. Mortals are weak and would lead to trouble for the Sabbat. This means any allies a Sabbat may have are ones made before joining the sect. If Sabbat leaders find out that a Sabbat has mortals as allies, they will dish out drastic punishment to the vampire and kill the mortal allies.
Sabbat may still have mortal contacts, but they must never reveal to them that they are Sabbat. If a human contact were to find out, the contact would disappear - permanently.
Most Sabbat avoid turning movie stars into vampires, but it has happened. Fame can bring unwanted attention to the sect, so those with Fame cannot use it in any real way. They have to be very careful or else their own leaders will kill them for being threats to Sabbat security.
Most Sabbat keep small herds, since large ones can be a threat to security. Sabbat are not encouraged to keep more than seven vessels. Usually, Sabbat drink from whomever they damn well please.
The Sabbat has great influence in mortal society, but the sect usually leaves it alone. The typical Sabbat is advised to stay out of mortal matters, as they do not concern him. A Sabbat not in a leadership position should not have Influence. If he does, he may get in trouble if he flexes his political muscle.
A Sabbat vampire may have a mentor. The mentor may be the vampire who Embraced her, or it may be another pack member who takes an interest in her. Her mentor may even be outside her pack. One example is that of the City Gangrel antitribu. While they are loners, almost all of them have a mentor early in their unlives. The mentor is always another City Gangrel antitribu.
* Mentor is a priest or ancilla
* * Mentor is a bishop
* * * Mentor is an archbishop
* * * * Mentor is a priscus
* * * * * Mentor is a cardinal
Sabbat will not have retainers unless they are ancillae or older. The Sabbat does not let the young run about with a bunch of humans who know their secrets. Even the Sabbat who do have retainers will only have one or two, and these will most likely be ghouls. Sabbat have no preference for humans over animals, since many Sabbat consider both to be equal. If anything, Sabbat prefer animal retainers such as dogs or cats. The Country Gangrel antitribu are known to prefer coyotes, wolves and bobcats.
Sabbat Status is similar to that of the Camarilla, but the Sabbat has more defined positions of leadership. Most Sabbat with Status are leaders, hut this is not always the case. Status can play an important role in getting and keeping a leadership position.
* Priest or pack leader/Well-known
* * Templar or paladin/Respected
* * * Bishop/High Status
* * * * Archbishop/Powerful
* * * * * Priscus/Luminary