Daughters of Skadi (Daw-ters of Ska-thee. Many pronounce her name as Skah-dee or Skay-dee.)

The daughters of Skadi appear to the average person as a religious organization that worship the giantess/goddess Skadi of Norse lore. However, that is a small part of their organization. The Daughters are led by a council of three elder women, all of whom were once part of the rank and file of the organization. They are referred to as "Elder Sisters" and are given the respect of all the other women in the faction. They are usually specialists in certain fields important to Skadi. One is an expert hunter tracker and mountain survivalist. Another is a bow marksman. The third is an expert at matters of law and justice. These three women are voted upon by a secret ballot amongst all the sisters. An Elder Sister can be removed from her position if she does not follow the tenets of the sisterhood, or forsakes her sisters, or brings disgrace upon the order. A disgraced sister can be exiled from the sisterhood and the others will turn their backs on her. This exile can be for any level of sister.

Below them are the "Older Sisters". These are women who have risen through the ranks and are well-respected by the others of the order. They have proven themselves worthy and have either been with the sisterhood a long time or have done an incredible feat of service to the sisterhood to propel them to a place of honor. These women usually lead small parties when their services are needed or will go on solo missions when their skills are required. Older sisters are also responsible for teaching and assessing the Sisters and Younger Sisters in the ways of the sisterhood. Passage to this level requires a lone sojourn into the mountains to perform a task set by the Elder Sisters.

The most numerous of the group are merely called "Sisters". While all of the group are called sister, this official title is applied to the main group of the sisterhood. These women begin their training in earnest and some may change specialties, depending on their aptitude and ability as well as their preferences. This level also performs all of the 'menial' tasks around the sisterhood compound such as cooking, cleaning, mending, even weapon and armor crafting, though these last two are often reserved for those Sisters who have been in the sisterhood longer. But that does not mean other sisters are not allowed to craft or fashion weapons and armor as well. Often, Sisters will make up the bulk of a party that is called upon top provide protection, search and rescue, or any other service the Elder Sisters deem worthy. Sisters are brought to this tier of the sisterhood after they have been assessed by the Older Sisters and assigned to one of the three specialties.

The lowest group are women new to the order and are referred to as "Younger Sisters". Regardless of the reason they joined they are welcomed as family and are provided food, shelter, and community for as long as they follow the tenets of Skadi. They are assessed by the Older Sisters to determine their aptitude for service within the sisterhood. They assist with the laborious tasks around the compound but are mainly being looked at for their ability. Sisters do not stay in this tier of the sisterhood for very long. They rarely go on missions as they are acclimatizing to their new life within the sisterhood.

A sister can be moved up or down through the ranks though they are almost never lowered back to the rank of Younger Sister once they have been deemed a Sister. There have been instances where an Elder Sister has stepped down to become an Older Sister for various reasons.

It is rumored that there was once a "Prime Sister" who had direct contact with Skadi. But this is now thought to be a myth or legend as the order wishes to maintain unity within the sisterhood, not create disparity.

The sisters often live a simple life; preparing meals, helping the communities around them, should they be called upon. Much like the Amazons, the Daughters are all proficient in the art of war and martial arts. They will often practice in large groups as well as sparring with each other. Often times they can be found studying or working throughout the compound; making meals, preparing food, crafting weapons or armor, cleaning, or just relaxing. When they have earned it or on special occasions, a Daughter will drink the special tincture prepared for them and go out for socializing in the towns. The drink is a mixture of herbs and liquids that will prevent a sister from becoming pregnant, The drink is made of ginger, Queen Anne's lace and other natural herbs that act as an organic morning after pill to prevent a Daughter from conceiving, should her evening lead to more amorous endeavors.

The sisters mainly keep to themselves, not wanting to be a marshal force or a civil police for the populous. They will lend their services when a fugitive has escaped or a child id missing or a village or town requires food or protection. But these requests must follow the tenets of Skadi. They will also act as judges when called upon to help settle disputes.

While an exact number is not known, it is estimated that there are between 150-200 Daughters of Skadi. Not all of them live at the main compound as there are at least 3 places they call home. Each compound has similar functions, but does also have specific functions, correlating to the three domains Skadi is said to command; Justice, Tracking/hunting/winter survival, and Bowmanship. They are expert craftswomen, making their own weapons and armor. When a Daughter becomes a Sister, one rite of passage is to create their own bow. It becomes their signature and is never allowed to be used by anyone else.

They have numerous horses and carts as well as access to their own mine. They make all of their own metal wear and weapons or armor from this mine.

No one really knows when the Daughters of Skadi actually started. They have been a part of the Realm since before the closing of the portals and then decades if not centuries before that. Oberon may know when they started but he is not saying.

There is also speculation on who really runs the sisterhood. Nearly all say the Elder Sisters three are in charge, making the decisions for the sisterhood and deciding how they will help the Realm. A small group think there is one above them all, the Prime Sister. They believe she started the sisterhood and has been directing the organization ever since, giving orders from Skadi herself to the Elder Sisters

They are said by many to be the basis for the myth of the Amazons on the mortal realm due to their fierce fighting and non-male membership.

Many find the services of the Daughters to be invaluable and many throughout the Fae Realm have called upon them in one way or another. While some Nords see them as traitors and call for their execution, many people come to them when others have failed, whether it be finding a lost child, protecting a village from raiders, or helping hunt food. The Daughters of Skadi often find themselves aligned against the Giants of the realm, at least the ones who actively seek the Realm's takeover.

The Daughters are made up entirely of women or women-identifying persons. It is estimated that there are between 150 to 200 Daughters, scattered throughout the three compounds. There are also an unknown number living amongst the populace as well as some in the mortal realm.

The Daughters of Skadi are not confined to the compound they live in. They consider Nord villages and the mountain areas where they reside to be under their protection. They will travel out of these areas if the need is great or they are requested. Small bands or solo sisters will also travel farther than their mountain home.

The Fae Court does consider the Daughters of Skadi to be a military force, specializing in guerilla warfare. They are excellent front line fighters as well, capable of using most weapons as well as shields. They prefer lighter armor, almost never wearing plate mail. The heaviest most will wear is chain with straps of leather or tanned hide underneath. The Daughters who are trained in plate mail are the shock troopers of the sisterhood. They also represent the order when there are jousting competitions. While these shock troopers are excellent horse riders, all sisters of the order is taught to fight from horseback.

The Daughters of Skadi have excellent weapon and armor craftswomen, whether working with hide, leather, metal, or wood. Their technology level is no more advanced than any other group in race in the Fae Realm. Only the dwarves and elves would be considered more advanced.

While not truly religious, the Daughters do venerate Skadi, the giantess/goddess of Norse mythology. It is said they are part of the reason that the worship of the Norse pantheon was so strong and widespread in the mortal realm.

The laws of the realm are important to the sisterhood, as one aspect of Skadi is justice. They are often called upon to resolve disputes between individuals or small groups. Their decisions are solid and the court recognizes their decisions as law. However, should the law of the land and one of Skadi's tenet's clash, they will go with the tenets of Skadi. This will force them to recluse themself from the dispute, unless the court agrees with their judgement.

While the order is fairly self-sufficient, they will trade goods with others for things they need or want. The items they often sell are swords or armor, while still good, do not match up to the high standards of the crafters of the Daughters. They will sell food, blankets, clothes, and shoes, all hand made from the order. The Daughters have their own sheep and long-haired cows and horses which they spin wool from to create the textile products.

The women in the sisterhood are taught many things depending on the tier they have reached. Most are taught law, weapons, armor, cooking, crafting, and other skills deemed necessary for survival. They are also taught tracking, skiing, and winter survival, especially in the mountains, as dictated by Skadi. Those who come to the sanctuary are also given a basic education. All are taught warfare at some level.

Sisters are often given a choice (sometimes decided for them depending on their aptitude) on a specialization. There are three areas of specialization a Daughter may be suited for. They are law or justice, tracking and winter/mountain survival, or bowmanship. Some may have more than one specialization, but that is generally reserved for the Older Sisters.

The entire sisterhood is based off of the giantess goddess Skadi, written of in The Eddas and other Norse poetry and stories. Many people in the Fae Realm have claimed to meet Skadi herself and these stories are not disputed. She appears when the need is great. There are claims that the Elder Sisters have communion with her on a regular basis.

While there are no tenets of faith for the Daughters of Skadi, there are certain creeds that the sisterhood adheres to in their daily lives. These things include:

Independence/Self-reliance- While the sisterhood is a strong unit and a slight to one is a slight to all, Daughters must be able to rely on themselves, being strong women able to stand for themselves.

Survival in the Wild- as winter maidens, Daughters of Skadi need to be as much like Skadi as possible when it comes to winter and mountain survival. This also relates to taming the untamed wilds and the cold by taming oneself.

Perseverance/Resilience- Skadi faced many trials and tribulations throughout the Eddas and other poetry. Yet she always held her head high and kept the respect of those around her. Her Daughters must do likewise.

Justice/Vengeance- Vengeance can guide you, but must also be tempered by justice. There can be no vengeance if justice is not heeded. You cannot have one without the other.

Justice and adherence to the law are very important to the Daughters of Skadi. They adhere to the laws of the land, helping to act as arbitrators in the absence of other legal entities.

While not really powers, Daughters of Skadi are unparalleled trackers and hunters. They can rival some elves in bow use. They can call upon Skadi in times of crisis for help, guidance, or protection.

The Daughters prefer to refrain from trying to influence the Fae Court one way or another. They do seek a seat at the ruling table, wanting to have a hand in how the realm is run, they do not wish power over others, merely what they consider to be a fair share and equal say on events.