Topic: Scathachians

Issy

Date: 2006-08-01 08:51 EST
Scathachians: Followers (also called "Judges," "Daughters," or "Sisters") of the War Goddess, Scathach (pronounced "Sky-ack").

Living only with women, her priestesses learn war strategies and military arts, as well as strength training and furtherance of athletic abilities. Scathach's priestesses are schooled in three main lines of weaponry, then choose a specialty: dual swords, archery, and chakrams.

Scathachian priestesses are also skilled in the healing arts (as would only stand to reason after following a goddess of war). The Scathachians live in a modified matriarchal society; a High Priestess presides over a counsel of elder priestesses, called the High Circle. The Sisters then fall into three categories: Warrior, Healer, Priestess. Although it is not uncommon for a Scathachian to be in more than one of these categories.

Issy

Date: 2006-08-01 09:12 EST
The Island of Shadow: Isolated and remote, the Island of Shadow is the training ground for the priestesses of Scathach.

http://www.sundancerroatan.com/images_index/sunset.jpg

Men are never allowed on the Island of Shadow, even under extenuating circumstances. After completing their training, Scathachians are free to explore the outside world. They search out evil-doers and most find work as vigilantes, fighting for those who cannot defend themselves.

The training for most Scathachians lasts a decade. Still, this is based off of individual training needs. Some Sisters choose to spend most of their lives on the Island as instructors, teachers, or a member of the High Circle. Others are invited to stay and share their exemplary knowlegde, battle skill, or a combination thereof.

Issy

Date: 2006-08-01 09:17 EST
The Code of the Scathachians:

"We exist to defend those who are defenseless, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and above all be true to the honor of the blade of Scathach."



The Uniform of the Scathachians :

Scathachians are easily recognized by several symbols they wear, regardless of if their dress is common or those uniforms worn on the Island of Shadow. The crimson sash worn at the waist beneath the dual blades, and a garnet worn at the throat are tell-tale signs of a Scathachian warrior. In addition, Scathachians receive two tatoos at their initiation, one on the back of each hand. The blue tatoos depict the scales of justice (on the left) and a pair of crossed blades (on the right).

Issy

Date: 2006-08-01 09:21 EST
The Oath of the Scathachians:

~ Let all who look upon these words know: We are a nation of women and a nation of warriors. Forever are we dedicated to our sisters, to our goddess, and to the peace that is Humankind's right. Granted life by Scathach, the goddess of righteous warfare, and by the souls of valiant women past, we have been gifted with the divine calling to speak for the humble of our world and to shield the meek from the vile cruelty of the wicked.

Man, in his dark vanity, has corrupted the laws that our goddess and the honorable pantheons have set forth. So, in her wisdom, the goddess did summon us from the ash and sin of your world to struggle against the many faces of Night.. From countless paths of life did we venture in answer to the consecrated summons from our veiled citadel of shadow. And here, hidden from the eyes of humanity, all is sacrificed in order to become a mirror of the Mother goddess...warriors of perfection and unspoiled guardians. No longer will Man rule alone, for now Woman stands as an equal to temper his aggression, to lend reason to his rages, and to overcome his malicious tyranny with the blades of the blessed.

We stand as Scathachians. Many will welcome us but all will remember us. ~