The Prisci (singular: priscus) are powerful, ancient Sabbat vampires selected by the consistory (the bishops) to join their ranks as advisers. Prisci do not need to hold temporal power, as they are not responsible for maintaining Sabbat influence in a city or coordinating sieges and other military efforts. Their role is to offer knowledge to other members of the sect, especially the consistory and the archbishop.

However, they often gain considerable political influence, usually at the expense of those who fail them. Most belong to Lasombra, Tzimisce, or Toreador antitribu, though no formal rules limit advancement. Of course, becoming a priscus requires proving immense value to the sect.
To younger Sabbat, the prisci can epitomize hypocrisy. They may have proven themselves, but not consistently. Perhaps some priscus did something legendary a century ago, but does anyone remember anything recent and memorable?
The true function of a priscus is to secure the Sabbat's long-term success through counsel and careful planning. They are responsible for much of the sect's upper-tier advancement; for example, one typically needs a priscus sponsor to become archbishop, and the consistory selects its own members from lower ranks.
It should be noted that many prisci were great nobles or strategists in life, and their vast experience, tempered by the Embrace and centuries of learning and refinement, is highly valuable to the sect. Very often, the success or failure of a siege depends on one key detail: what defenses a Prince can field, or which sympathetic vampires may be persuaded to look away while the Sabbat ravages a city. That is their role: maximize others' impact through proper strategy. Some cities keep prisci close at hand to advise archbishops or bishop councils on important vampiric matters. As kingmakers, they are often the true power behind visible leadership.