History Characters / VampireTheMasqueradeSabbat

* MeaningfulName: Their name comes from the [[GratuitousSpanish Spanish]] "La Sombra" meaning "The Shadow".

* CastingAShadow: Their signature discipline of Obtenebration, which allows them control over not only ordinary shadows but the primeval darkness of the Abyss. Once practitioners have moved beyond simply hiding their movements, they can create deadly CombatTentacles and InstantArmor from elemental darkness, [[TeleportSpam teleport themselves from shadow to shadow]], summon shades to do their bidding, even transform themselves into {{Living Shadow}}s. [[spoiler: As with all Antediluvians, theirs is even better at it, to the point of becoming a creature of pure darkness residing within the Abyss.]]

* HazyFeelTurn: With about half of the clan abandoning the Sabbat and joining the Camarilla (or, to a lesser extent, the Anarchs) in the ''V5'' plotline, making for a more open and easily justifiable option to play as a Camarilla- or Anarch-aligned Lasombra character. Make no mistake though, the Lasombra who end up casting their lot in with the Camarilla or the Anarchs are still very much Lasombra; that is to say, always creeping around in the shadows and scheming up something sinister.

* {{Pun}}: Possibly unintentionally, but they're a clan of NietzscheWannabe types, whose existence is inextricably linked to the Abyss, and one of their sub-factions is so dedicated to researching the Abyss that they become like it. [[HeWhoFightsMonsters In other words]]...

* TheStoic: Much like the Ventrue, they believe in distancing themselves from emotion. This is particularly true in dealing with their clan weakness. Most Lasombra will pose for portraits, but one who hires a Tzimisce to fleshcraft a ghoul will be mocked and possibly be diablerized.

* {{Pun}}: Possibly unintentionally, but they're a clan of NietzscheWannabe types, whose existence is inextricably linked to the Abyss, and one of their sub-factions is so dedicated to researching the Abyss that they become like it. [[HeWhoFightsMonster In other words]]...

* NoTrueScotsman: Lasombra are expected to show those of their blood a certain level of respect. However, because the Clan stereotype is that they are survivors and born winners, the Lasombra find it quite easy to axe one of their own and after the fact claim that, since their target failed to triumph, they weren't really much of a Lasombra at all. This is also how they get around the hypocrisy issue described under FreudianExcuse, with a touch of BlamingTheVictim. Sure, they doomed your soul to potential eternal torment after death, but if you were a ''true'' Lasombra, that wouldn't be an issue, since you'll just never die!

* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: They are one of the clans with the most eclectic collection of stereotypes. While no Lasombra is all of these things at once, most represent a combination of multiple of the following: Snobby aristocrat, vicious thug, career criminal, spymaster, assassin, honorable BlackKnight, pirate, conquistador, merchant prince/nouveau riche, EvilOverlord, grey eminence, Catholic clergy, existentialist, EldritchAbomination-worshipping cultist, shadow mage, and sometimes medium and necromancer. And that's not even getting into the more distinct sub-varieties, like the ones considering themselves a type of FallenAngel.

* NinjaPirateRobotZombie: They are one of the clans with the most eclectic collection of stereotypes. While no Lasombra is all of these things at once, most represent a combination of multiple of the following: Snobby aristocrat, vicious thug, career criminal, spymaster, assassin, honorable BlackKnight, pirate, conquistador, merchant prince/nouveau riche, EvilOverlord, grey eminence, Catholic clergy, existentialist, EldritchAbomination-worshipping cultist, shadow mage, and sometimes medium and necromancer. And that's not even getting into the more distinct sub-varieties, like the ones considering themselves a type of FallenAngel.

** For many older Lasombra, being pious Catholics is SeriousBusiness, though in the BlueAndOrangeMorality kind of way, reasoning that they were damned by God and turned into monsters into order to terrify humans into staying on the right path and serving as parables for what happens to those who give themselves to evil. This is in fact the rationale behind their Clan-specific path, the Path of Night.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Although there may have been some overlap in previous editions, ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasqueradeFifthEdition'' makes it clear that, while the Lasombra are TheSocialDarwinist, they are usually ''not'' ThoseWackyNazis. In fact, they tend to think of mortal fascists and race supremacists as pathetic and degenerate, rather than brothers-in-creed. As the clan of meritocracy at all cost, [[EqualOpportunityEvil they take pride in embracing anyone who has the strength and willpower to survive their grueling trials.]]

* EvilCounterpart: Well, ''Eviler'' Counterpart to the Ventrue. They share the same preposterous egos, but the Lasombra usually don't even pretend to care about honor, respect, or courage. Not that Ventrue are necessarily all or even any of those, but they at least theoretically aspire to them. Ventrue think that they're the best and their followers need them so they set out every day to work for and prove it, while Lasombra think they are so obviously the best that they don't even need to do anything to be superior.

* BreakTheCutie: Their preferred tactic in choosing recruits, as those who don't crack under the strain are judged worthy. One example found in the revised handbook recounts the story of a paraplegic writer selected for the Embrace: In this case, his sire spent five years doing her very best to ruin his life in every way she could before finally deciding that he was worthy to join the Clan.

* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Both in-universe and out of it. The "EvilCounterpart to the Ventrue" aspect used to be more pronounced, with a similarly strong blueblood theme. Over time, this became more metaphorical than literal and the SocialDarwinist aspect began taking precedence.

* EvilCounterpart: Well, ''eviler'' counterpart to the Ventrue. They share the same preposterous egos, but the Lasombra usually don't even pretend to care about honor, respect, or courage. Not that Ventrue are necessarily all or even any of those, but they at least theoretically aspire to them. Ventrue think that they're the best and their followers need them so they set out every day to work for and prove it, while Lasombra think they are so obviously the best that they don't even need to do anything to be superior.

* HazyFeelTurn: Parts of the clan can potentially break from the orthodoxy and join forces with the Camarilla or the Anarchs in ''V5'' plotline, making it an open and somewhat easily justifiable option to play as a Camarilla- or Anarch-aligned Lasombra character. Make no mistake though, the Lasombra who end up casting their lot in with the Camarilla or the Anarchs are still very much Lasombra; that is to say, always creeping around in the shadows and scheming up something sinister.
* AHouseDivided: Due to the crisis sparked by the Second Inquisition in the ''V5'' plotline, the Lasombra have descended into serious in-fighting, with some factions of the clan even seriously considering the possibility of splitting off from the orthodoxy and joining up with the Camarilla or the Anarchs for protection.

* BigBadWannabe: The Sabbat openly want to rule the world and subjugate the human race, which is not very likely: not only is Sabbat territory limited to Latin America, Spain and the poorer parts of the United States, they also have to compete with the other supernatural powers of the World of Darkness. Pentex is everywhere and is their prime competition for who can be the most cartoonishly evil and the Technocracy has fingers in every pie and is advanced enough to explore other star systems, make Terminators on the side and was able to kill Zapathasura when he awoke using space mirrors and magical nukes while the Sabbat's only contribution to that fight was pinning down their Ravnos pack mates and keeping them from joining their Antediluvian. And all that is discounting the Garou, Kuei-Jin, Hunters, Changelings, Mummies, the Traditions and the Crafts, the Fallen and the Earthbound and... look, Sabbat victory is not likely. The Sabbat could have been a dark mirror of Camarilla, but in the modern nights they are little more than a swarm of borderline insane monsters.

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: As one of the most ambitious clans in the game, this is a given. [[spoiler: The Lasombra Antediluvian is no exception, as Gehenna demonstrates; in the event that you take his side during "Fair Is Foul," he kills you as soon as YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness... and the text actually mocks you for being gullible enough to trust him.]]

* ByronicHero: Heroic or protagonistic Lasombra are likely to be this, given that their clan comes pre-built with aristocratic grace, an expectation of hyper-competence, a TheUbermensch mentality, and, usually, [[BreakTheCutie boatloads of trauma]].
* CastingAShadow: Their signature discipline of Obtenebration, which allows them control over not only ordinary shadows but the primeval darkness of the Abyss. Once practitioners have moved beyond simply hiding their movements, they can create deadly CombatTentacles and InstantArmour from elemental darkness, [[TeleportSpam teleport themselves from shadow to shadow]], summon shades to do their bidding, even transform themselves into {{Living Shadow}}s. [[spoiler: As with all Antediluvians, theirs is even better at it, to the point of becoming a creature of pure darkness residing within the Abyss.]]

* CompellingVoice: Much like the Ventrue, the Lasombra possess Dominate. Unlike the Ventrue, they possess no qualms about using it in place of regular negotiations.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Although there may have been some overlap in previous editions, ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasqueradeFifthEdition'' makes it clear that, while the Lasombra are TheSocialDarwinist, they are usually ''not'' ThoseWackyNazis. In fact, they tend to think of mortal fascists and race supremacists as pathetic and degenerate, rather than brothers-in-creed. As the clan of meritocracy at all cost, they take pride in embracing anyone who has the strength and willpower to survive their grueling trials.

** While most Lasombra tend to end up as either snobby nobles or violent thugs, there are certainly several virtues celebrated by the Clan which can be twisted in a sympathetic light. These include [[TheSocialDarwinist an absolute dedication to]] [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority meritocracy]] [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething over aristocracy]], a preference for honest violence over overt manipulation and [[WasItAllALie feigned love]], self-reliance, individualism, ambition and hard work, a respect for freedom and personal autonomy ([[TheSocialDarwinist so long as you are willing and able to fight for it]]), a dedication towards [[TheAntiNihilist forging one's own meaning in spite of the horrors of the world]], and the belief that, no matter how much an individual has suffered and lost, they can transform their suffering into purpose and grow from it, rather than being forever reduced as a person. This notion in particular, of vampirism as something that you can go ''up'' from, rather than a slow spiral of humanity loss and damnation until self-destruction, would end up codified into the Sabbat's [[PathOfInspiration Paths of Enlightenment]] and became one of the more popular and, relatively speaking, understandable reasons why kindred defect to the sect. Interestingly, the Lasombra have also shown themselves to be one of the clans most determined and effective at fighting back the overpowering influence of vampire [[EvilOldFolks Elders]] among them, to a level some of the other, more benevolent Anarch-inclined clans [[GoodIsImpotent can only dream of]].

** The Lasombra, alongside the Tzimisce and the Brujah, played a central role in the Anarch Revolt. This is admittedly more out of a tendency towards EnemyCivilWar with the first two, rather than the latter's idealism, but the clan still bears a certain proud Anarch spirit, even if the majority has become members of the Camarilla in modern days.

* IronicHell: Assuming the theory presented under FreudianExcuse is true. The Fallen were punished with an eternity alone in the Abyss so they had to be all alone with the memories of their misdeeds. What better punishment for a clan of villainous narcissists? Their inability to see their own reflection taps into the same idea from the other side, denying them the ability to indulge in self-glorification rather than forcing them into too much of it.
* JackOfAllTrades: CompetitiveBalance and Clan stereotypes generally suggest a FrontlineGeneral MagicKnight angle, but, fittingly for a lineage of individualistic survivalists, the Lasombra are very flexible. Potence is excellent for combat, while Dominate is useful for combat ''and'' social situations. Their true ace in the hole, however, remains Obtenebration, especially after Fifth Edition merged it with Necromancy. Obtenebration can be used in combat and also has enough applications to make dedicated spellcaster Lasombra feasible (hence why the Clan has notable niches of both priests and shadow mages); it can summon shades and the undead, buff Intimidation ''and'' Stealth, and even improve perception and has some investigation-type uses. Really, the only limit to the Clan's versatility is their penchant for brutality. While Lasombra are expected to have enough smoothness and knowledge of etiquette to keep their cool and preserve face in social situations, they come with no pre-built support towards being TheCharmer, and the more violent members of the Clan may mock such vampires. And while Lasombra are absolutely capable of subtlety, intrigue, and performing roles such as TheSpymaster, expect them to go about this with somewhat less dexterity and finesse than, say, a Toreador or Nosferatu would, instead utilizing a lot more intimidation and violence.

* NinetiesAntiHero: A common aesthetic among Lasombra protagonists, and notably utilized to full effect by their signature character, Lucita y Aragon.

* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Tzimisce possess a clan-unique discipline known as "Vicissitude" (also known as Fleshcrafting), which allows them to mould and shape flesh, tissue, blood and bone as if it were clay; members of the clan use it wherever possible- for decorating their havens, for experimenting on captives, for creating monsters and guard animals, or for altering their own appearance. During a very brief DorkAge, Vicissitude was reimagined as the result of a supernatural virus from the Umbra, thus playing up the Lovecraftian aspects; this has since been retconned.

* FreudianExcuse: The Lasombra obsess over survival and self-preservation at the expense of anything else more than any other Clan in part because their connection to the Abyss means a FateWorseThanDeath awaits them if they perish [[note]]Upon death, the Abyss claims a Lasombra's soul. Some theorize this means CessationOfExistence, and that's the more ''benevolent'' option. The more common assumption is that we're talking about the same location and conditions that the demons of ''TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen'' had their minds shattered by, just without any option of escape. This translates to complete loneliness and deprivation of any kind of stimulus for all eternity. In real life, this is a torture technique known as white torture, and has been known as an extremely effective way to devastate a person's psyche[[/note]], and they ''[[ISeeDeadPeople know it]]''. In their defense, as with other kindred, they usually [[IHateYouVampireDad did not have a choice in the matter]] and are to an extent just doing the best they can with the cards they were dealt, though most will still [[{{Hypocrite}} perpetuate the Curse onto others anyway]].
* GoodIsNotSoft: Should you run into a rare case of a benevolent Lasombra, expect this to be in effect in full force. The clan doesn't actually care all that much which values its members hold, so long as they do not embarass everyone else with weakness or incompetence. As an old saying goes, the only weak Lasombra are a pile of ash.

* ByronicHero: Heroic or protagonistic Lasombra are likely to be this, given that their clan comes pre-built with aristocratic grace, an expectation of hyper-competence, and a TheUbermensch mentality.

* ByronicHero: Heroic or protagonistic Lasombra are likely to be this, given that their clan comes pre-built with aristocratic grace and a TheUbermensch mentality.

** ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeShadowsOfNewYork'' firmly establishes Lasombra as "cat people" rather than "dog people", that is to say, they want others to follow them for their competence and if possible out of their own free will (though options like violence and coercion, which technically leave an alternative, are accepted). Taking away a person's self and personal drive disgusts them. The [[Literature/VampireTheMasquerade novels]] have [[NinetiesAntiHero Lucita]] visiting a castle staffed by centuries-old ghoul servants, and she acts with utter revulsion upon realizing how much their sense of self has been eroded, to the point that an old ghoul reacts with stoic servile acceptance upon learning that his daughter was killed because of pointless vampire intrigue, causing Lucita to reason that [[EvenEvilHasStandards any human being should react with]] a RoaringRampageOfRevenge after being robbed of their loved ones so meaninglessly at someone else's fault.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: While there may have been some overlap in previous editions, ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasqueradeFifthEdition'' makes it clear that, while the Lasombra are TheSocialDarwinist, they are usually ''not'' ThoseWackyNazis. In fact, they tend to think of mortal fascists and race supremacists as pathetic and degenerate, rather than brothers-in-creed. As the clan of meritocracy at all cost, they take pride in embracing anyone who has the strength and willpower to survive their grueling trials.

** ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeShadowsOfNewYork'' firmly establishes Lasombra as "cat people" rather than "dog people", that is to say, they want others to follow them for their competence and if possible out of their own free will (though options like violence and coercion, which technically leave an alternative, are accepted). Taking away a person's self and personal drive disgusts them. The [[Literature/VampireTheMasquerade novels]] have [[NinetiesAntiHero Lucita]] visiting a castle staffed by centuries-old ghoul servants, and she acts with utter revulsion upon realizing how much their sense of self has been eroded, to the point that an old ghoul reacts with stoic servile acceptance upon learning that his daughter was killed because of pointless vampire intrigue, reasoning that [[EvenEvilHasStandards any human being should react with]] a RoaringRampageOfRevenge after being robbed of their loved ones at their master's fault.

* EvilVirtues: While most Lasombra tend to end up as either snobby nobles or violent thugs, there are certainly several virtues celebrated by the Clan which can be twisted in a sympathetic light. These include [[TheSocialDarwinist an absolute dedication to]] [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority meritocracy]] [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething over aristocracy]], a preference for honest violence over overt manipulation and [[WasItAllALie feigned love]], self-reliance, individualism, ambition and hard work, a respect for freedom and personal autonomy ([[TheSocialDarwinist so long as you are willing and able to fight for it]]), a dedication towards [[TheAntiNihilist forging one's own meaning in spite of the horrors of the world]], and the belief that, no matter how much an individual has suffered and lost, they can transform their suffering into purpose and grow from it, rather than being forever reduced as a person. This notion in particular, of vampirism as something that you can go ''up'' from, rather than a slow spiral of humanity loss and damnation until self-destruction, would end up codified into the Sabbat's [[PathOfInspiration Paths of Enlightenment]] and became one of the more popular and, relatively speaking, understandable reasons why kindred defect to the sect. Interestingly, the Lasombra have also shown themselves to be one of the clans most determined and effective at fighting back the overpowering influence of vampire [[EvilOldFolks Elders]] among them, to a level some of the other, more benevolent Anarch-inclined clans [[GoodIsImpotent can only dream of]].

* EvilVirtues: While most Lasombra tend to end up as either snobby nobles or violent thugs, there are certainly several virtues celebrated by the Clan which can be twisted in a sympathetic light. These include [[TheSocialDarwinist an absolute dedication to]] [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority meritocracy]] [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething over aristocracy]], a preference for honest violence over overt manipulation and [[WasItAllALie feigned love]], self-reliance, individualism, ambition and hard work, a dedication towards [[TheAntiNihilist forging one's own meaning in spite of the horrors of the world]], and the belief that, no matter how much an individual has suffered and lost, they can transform their suffering into purpose and grow from it, rather than being forever reduced as a person. This notion in particular, of vampirism as something that you can go ''up'' from, rather than a slow spiral of humanity loss and damnation until self-destruction, would end up codified into the Sabbat's [[PathOfInspiration Paths of Enlightenment]] and became one of the more popular and, relatively speaking, understandable reasons why kindred defect to the sect. Interestingly, the Lasombra have also shown themselves to be one of the clans most determined and effective at fighting back the overpowering influence of vampire [[EvilOldFolks Elders]] among them, to a level some of the other, more benevolent Anarch-inclined clans [[GoodIsImpotent can only dream of]].