By Tze of Morningthaw (last site update 12/24/01)     

The Sho Jitte Warrior continues the long-standing Jojiist tradition of the Sho people, which reveres the Four Stones of Discipline, Humility, Detachment and Compassion. Drawing upon the power of the Dragon, the Jitte Warrior focuses his energy and concentration on his skill and prowess.

It is a matter of choice that the Sho Jitte Warrior follows this path. He or she has made a commitment to a life of devotion to the excellence of his skill with the Jitte. As in poetry and meditation, so too is excellence and refinement necessary in the Way.

A proper Sho Jitte Warrior seeks quiet elegance. By this, it is meant the elegance that comes with skillful fighting. A elegant battle is one that is over quickly and decisively. This requires that the Warrior strike fiercely with each blow. To miss his opponent with a swing is considered sloppy, and is the sign of inadequate discipline and training.  It has been compared to a haiku written with misspelled words.

This path is not for everyone: the hours of discipline, the dedication to a single type of weapon, the desire to fight battles where only decisive victories appear likely, and the questioning stares of strangers (particularly from Aluvian and Gharu'ndim mace warriors), make this a rare and select path. 

Conversely, the Sho Jitte Warrior knows that each person has their own path to follow and does not consider himself superior. The choice of the Way is a personal choice, and is a reflection only of himself, not of others.

The Jitte weapon, like the Path itself, is an elegant design. It is fast and light, weighing only 350 BU by Derethian measure,  and with a fast swing, it's bludgeoning damage quickly subdues most of the creatures of Dereth.  Although technically considered a "mace", the Jitte is immediately identifiable  by the unique property of having a parrying hook protruding from the weapon's shaft. The skilled Jitte Warrior uses this to his advantage to assist in defensive maneuvers. Of course, there are also enchanted Jittes that are infused with spells to make them even more deadly, or elemental enchantments to make them breathe fire, cold, acid, or lightning.

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