What is Jojii's Sword?

Jojii's Sword is a player-run roleplaying community on the Morningthaw Server of Asheron's Call, a massively multiplayer online game. We are based in the lands of the Sho, a player "race" that is akin to a real-world East Asian culture. Jojii's Sword was founded by Basho Genji. Genji still remains as a teacher and avisor, but the group is now led by Iwata. Visit our Biographies forum to read about them.

Jojii's Sword exists as a formal allegiance but also as a loose community. What this means is that many "members" of Jojii's Sword may not formally pledge their allegiance to Basho Genji. They are still considered valued members of our community.

What do you mean by "roleplaying"?

What is roleplaying, anyway? That's an old debate, and we don't care to get into here. To us, roleplaying loosely means a playing style that is consistent with the intended atmosphere of the game. We choose community and interaction over "power gaming" and "camping" for unique items. That's just how we play the game. If you're playing a different game, then we're better off staying out of each other's way.

We're an organization based around the philosophies of a certain culture. Therefore, when interacting with each other and with other players, we should act consistently with those philosophies.The About and Philosophy sections of our site offer plenty of description of those philosophies. Also see the forums to get a sense of how we conduct ourselves. A Sho Roleplaying Guide is also available for your edification.

Thee's and Thou's are as annoying to us as to many folks. Any speech that seems out-of-place or forced disrupts the realism of the game that we are playing. Interestingly enough, "Dude" and "U Rok!" also fall into that category.

Who was Jojii?

According to the official storyline, Jojii was a Sho philosopher who introduced a new understanding to his people over 800 years ago. Prior to Jojii, Sho people revered the three Elders, each of whom represents a different cultural value. Jojii brought these three values (and a fourth, until then unrepresented value) into one code of ethics, loosely based, it seems, on modern Buddhism.

The About and Philosophy section of our site offer plenty of description of Jojiist philosophy. In-game, the library outside of the small city of Hebian-To has some excellent works on display that describe not only Jojii's philosophies, but Sho folklore in general.

Feel free, as well, to post questions about Jojiist philosophy in our forums. You are also welcome to contact us, both in the game and via email. We will always make time to enhance our community, so don't fear interrupting our game with a @tell.

What are your membership requirements?

Since we're not a player-killer allegiance looking for a well-rounded legion, we can welcome every type of character. The only requirement, if you can call it that, is a devotion to the development of your character -- and that means more than stats and wealth -- and the community. If you wish to be part of a community of roleplayers, then we'll find a niche for you. Or, better yet, you'll create one for yourself.

You don't even need to be Sho. As Basho Genji would say, "Does not Jojii teach that we are all equals, and that we are all on the same journey?" Even if you've already pledged allegiance to another monarch or prefer to remain unattached, you may still be a member of our community.

So many games of this type have become a mediocre experience of powergaming and camping. Hunt-kill-loot-level, etc., etc. We are here for anyone who wants to rise above that approach and realize the roleplaying potential of Asheron's Call.

Visit the About section for guidelines on becoming and acting as a member.

What do you offer to members?

I can tell you what we won't do. We aren't here to help you powergame to the highest reaches of the world of Dereth in two week's time. We're not here to get you every unique item, or to band together to beat up another group identical to us in every way but name.

We offer community and roleplaying. We offer memorable times exploring the landscape and plotline of Dereth. We'll help with money and items as we can, as a community. But that's not our focus. We offer a lot more than stats, items and money. If this makes sense to you, then you belong with us or a group like us.

How do I get involved in Jojii's Sword?

Introduce yourself to us! Go to our in-character forum and say hello. (A nice in-character post is always a great way to get on our good side.) Visit the About section for guidelines about becoming and acting as a member.

You're also welcome to contact any of us, both in the game and via email. We'll always make time to enhance our community, so do not fear interrupting our game with a @tell.

Keep an eye on the forums for meeting announcements! New members are always welcome at out meetings..