The Shadows that Bind

Ritualism and Obtenebration
Obtenebration is more than mere shadow-play. It is a window to the Abyss itself, that great and terrible unknown that lies at the center of all things. The Abyss gnaws at the heart of the underworld and the doubt in every question never answered. It is present in the absence of light and lurks in every shadow. Ghosts rightly fear its hunger, but they do not understand it. Demons call it Hell, and they only begin to comprehend. No Lasombra knows where it comes from or its purpose or even the purpose of its strange denizens, but the clan's mystics know the Abyss is the ultimate source of their power. So the mystics vainly pry into the dark places in search of secrets ad answers and perhaps more question. For these driven souls, conventional Obtenebration is only the beginning.
~ Vampire: The Dark Ages, High Clans


Rituals were once held in power during the Dark Ages. Mechanics and rituals are available in the Dark Ages books. I will be playing with some ideas around these rituals here.
 

Dark Ages Rituals
Note: Rituals require a specialization of Occult (Abyss Mysticism).
High Clans book, pg 176

Pierce the Mask (1) - Resolve the mystic's eyes to the primordial darkness even as they forsake light. Shadow Play, gather shadows into a sphere, gaze into it and roll Perc. + Occult (dif 8). Sucess perm gain merit Darksight, botch Darksight as a flaw. Dangerous, permanent damage.
The Shadow of Hands That Serve (1) - Summon small creatures from the Abyss. Crush and extinguish a candle (take 1 agg).  Rotschreck check (dif 4). Maintain control, roll Int + Occult (dif 6). Black blood falls to become tendrils of shadows, opening a gateway to the abyss, oozing in a birth of a shadowed thing. <- Updated version in Sabbat guide.
The Heart That Beats in Silence (2) - Higher version of Shadow of Hands That Serve
Transubstantiation of Essence (2) - Healing increased by cursing own blood with shadow. Devote a full turn to meditating, 1 Willpower and roll Sta + Occult (dif 8). Botch take an agg. Every success, spend one blood to heal two levels of bash/lethal. Side effect, when feeding the Abyss consumes the blood until it has taken twice the number of health levels healed. The taint of the abyss never leaves the body., leaving vitae darkened.
Drinking the Blood of Ahriman (3)
Calling the Hungry Shade (3)
Reflections of Hollow Revelation (4)
Whispers in the Dark (5)
Into the Chasm (6)
Evocation of the Oubliette (7)
Cry That Slays Light (8)