Perhaps long overdue since Scathachians have been around on Dragon's Mark since 2005, and on other sites since 2001, but I thought that a succinct definition here might be of use. Some of this is taken from Issy's webpage and the now defunct Rhydin Wiki page.
The Scathachians (pronounced sky-ACK-ians) are women follow Scathach (pronounced SKY-ack), the Goddess of War and Righteous Vengeance. For the most part, all Scathachians are physically superior to most women due to their intense training and conditioning. The majority of these women, while not giants, are tall and muscled. Scathachians have no restrictions on race (they count one Drow and one Cyclops among them), but do have restrictions on gender. They are not supernatural, nor to they practice magics of any kind (any magical properties or talents that Scathachians do possess are most often hidden from the majority of their sect). Most Scathachians are humans who have been trained in military arts and various forms of combat for a minimum of a decade. The training ground for the Scathachians is the remotely located Island of Shadow. This island is not on any map, nor is its location known to any but followers of Scathach. The warriors of the goddess of war guard the location of their home at all costs.
Scathachians are taken at an early age (10 being the average age) to the Island of Shadow. There they are trained by older Scathachian Priestesses along with other girls who are their contemporaries in age and ability. On average, these girls train and study the art of war and battlefield prowess for ten to fifteen years. In addition to military skills, these girls will be given an above average education in the fields of politics, literature, mathematical thinking and agriculture. Upon completion of their education, they are initiated. At initiation, a Scathachian is called by a new name; this name will be known to her patroness, Scathach, and her Sisters.
Once they have completed their training and have "graduated," Scathachians have a choice to make: Whether to remain on the Island of Shadow as instructors or to go out into the world to serve justice. Those that chose to venture into the world as champions for good have been titled "Judges" by society, as they safeguard the public against evils by bringing criminals to justice.
Although the Scathachians, as champions of justice, find many enemies, there is no enemy as deeply rooted or as ancient as the Temple of Bhaal. Lord Bhaal, as the God of murder, has opposed Scathach in mythologies since the beginning of time. Each temple is taught to revere the other as a worthy and severe adversary. The Temple of Bhaal and the Temple of Scathach have been at war since before recorded history. Their battlefields have been varied and far-reaching. Casualties are frequently high on both sides, fueling the fire of hatred between these two great rivals.
For further reading on how Isuelt DeRomiano and The Scathachians were created, visit here.
The Scathachians (pronounced sky-ACK-ians) are women follow Scathach (pronounced SKY-ack), the Goddess of War and Righteous Vengeance. For the most part, all Scathachians are physically superior to most women due to their intense training and conditioning. The majority of these women, while not giants, are tall and muscled. Scathachians have no restrictions on race (they count one Drow and one Cyclops among them), but do have restrictions on gender. They are not supernatural, nor to they practice magics of any kind (any magical properties or talents that Scathachians do possess are most often hidden from the majority of their sect). Most Scathachians are humans who have been trained in military arts and various forms of combat for a minimum of a decade. The training ground for the Scathachians is the remotely located Island of Shadow. This island is not on any map, nor is its location known to any but followers of Scathach. The warriors of the goddess of war guard the location of their home at all costs.
Scathachians are taken at an early age (10 being the average age) to the Island of Shadow. There they are trained by older Scathachian Priestesses along with other girls who are their contemporaries in age and ability. On average, these girls train and study the art of war and battlefield prowess for ten to fifteen years. In addition to military skills, these girls will be given an above average education in the fields of politics, literature, mathematical thinking and agriculture. Upon completion of their education, they are initiated. At initiation, a Scathachian is called by a new name; this name will be known to her patroness, Scathach, and her Sisters.
Once they have completed their training and have "graduated," Scathachians have a choice to make: Whether to remain on the Island of Shadow as instructors or to go out into the world to serve justice. Those that chose to venture into the world as champions for good have been titled "Judges" by society, as they safeguard the public against evils by bringing criminals to justice.
Although the Scathachians, as champions of justice, find many enemies, there is no enemy as deeply rooted or as ancient as the Temple of Bhaal. Lord Bhaal, as the God of murder, has opposed Scathach in mythologies since the beginning of time. Each temple is taught to revere the other as a worthy and severe adversary. The Temple of Bhaal and the Temple of Scathach have been at war since before recorded history. Their battlefields have been varied and far-reaching. Casualties are frequently high on both sides, fueling the fire of hatred between these two great rivals.
For further reading on how Isuelt DeRomiano and The Scathachians were created, visit here.