Reval Rebel

Reval Rebel is a top-down isometric action RPG with rogue-like elements set in the tumultuous semi-fictional 14th-century Estonia.

📖 Core Narrative

The year is 1342. A fragile peace hangs over Reval, but the air is thick with resentment. The St. George's Night Uprising is a spark waiting to ignite.

"Reval Rebel" casts you as Kalev, a smith from the lower town who stands at the crossroads of history. You want nothing more than to be left alone, but the city itself is a powder keg. Estonian peasants whisper of rebellion, Hanseatic merchants tighten their grip, and the knights of the Livonian Order watch over all with an iron fist. You are dragged into the simmering conflict when a secret is entrusted to you—a plan, a weapon, a truth—that could either start the uprising or crush it before it begins.

Caught between the ruthless Livonian Order, the scheming merchants, and the ancient, chaotic power of the land itself, you must decide where your loyalties lie. Your choices will determine not if the rebellion happens, but how.

Will you become the hero your people whisper about — a new "Kalevipoeg", or will you forge your own path to order and civilization through the chaos, using your wits and your hammer to survive? The choices you make will determine whether the rebellion becomes a footnote in history or the dawn of a new era.

🦸 The Hero: Kalev the Smith

You are Kalev, an Estonian smith. To the German lords, you're just another pair of hands to shoe their horses. To your own people, you're a stubborn man with a strong back and a cynical tongue. But there's more to you than meets the eye.

• The Name of a Giant: Your name, is the same as the mythical giant-king. Your strength is unusual, and perhaps there's a flicker of ancient power in your bloodline.
• A Reluctant Rebel: You are not a hero by choice. Your dialogue can be witty, sarcastic, or grimly pragmatic, reflecting a man caught in events far larger than himself.
• A Smith's Hands: You see the world through the eyes of a craftsman. Your hammer is not just a tool; it's an extension of your will.
• You have access to supernatural powers. Unlock more by aligning with factions.

Some of NPCs

Key Features

• A Living, Breathing City: Explore the meticulously researched city of Reval, from the opulent halls of Toompea Castle to the grimy workshops of the lower town. The city is a dynamic entity that reacts to your choices, with shifting allegiances, patrols, and public sentiment.

• Deep Faction System: Ally with, betray, or infiltrate over 15 unique factions, including the knightly Livonian Order, the secretive Cult of Metsik, the opportunistic merchants of Novgorod, and the urban rebels of the Black Cloaks. Each faction offers unique quests, abilities, and story paths.

• Innovative "Spellforging" Combat 🧙🏻: There are no spellbooks in Reval. Instead, you will forge your own abilities by combining 21 "Elements of Philosophy

• The Inner World - The Hingepuu 🌳 : Your journey is not just external, but internal. During sleep or meditation, you can travel to the Hingepuu (Soul Tree), the landscape of your own psyche. Here, you will confront the consequences of your actions by communing with the four Jungian archetypes of your soul: The Persona, The Shadow, The Anima, and The Self. Tending to your inner world is crucial for unlocking your true power.

• A Rich Bestiary of Folklore: Battle creatures pulled from the pages of Estonian, Slavic, and Scandinavian folklore. Face the terrifying, soul-powered Kratt; the colossal, stone-armored Põhja Konn; and the restless, undead Draugr, among many others.

• AI-driven NPCs (if possible at all) as alternative to hard-coded dialogues

Some examples: Oleviste church:

Game Details and status

• GAME PILLARS
• WORLD SETTING
  • HISTORY
  • FACTIONS
  • LOCATIONS / AREAS
    • RANDOM ENCOUNTERS - TODO
  • BESTIARY
  • GAMEPLAY
• STORY
  • QUESTS
  • CINEMATICS
• CHARACTER
  • CHARACTER BUILD
    • PSYCHE
  • COMBAT
  • MAGIC ELEMENTS
  • SKILLS - TODO
  • INVENTORY - TODO
  • DIALOGUE - TODO
  • ECONOMY - TODO
    • VENDORS
    • CRAFTING
• MINI-GAMES
• UX
  • MAIN MENU
    • GAME SAVING/LOADING - TODO
  • HEALTH
  • HUD
  • CHARACTER
  • INVENTORY
  • JOURNAL
  • DIALOGUE
  • LOOTING
  • MAPS

🎨 Visual Style

Color Palette: Earth tones, candlelight glow, icy blues and mossy greens. Style: Inspired by Baltic woodcut art, stained-glass motifs, and illuminated manuscripts, but with surreal twists. Architecture: Gothic and Hanseatic, but slowly overtaken by creeping pagan symbols.

🎻 Music & Sound

Soundtrack: Blend of medieval Baltic folk (kantele, runosong) with ambient electronics and minimalistic ritual drums. Dynamic Sound Design: Pagan areas filled with whispers and wind chimes; Christian zones echo with choirs and bells.

• Music available in MUSIC depending on scene
• Sound effects in SOUNDS

Reval Rebel - Project Summary

Gameplay Mechanics

The game features a dynamic day/night cycle:

• Day: Players engage in crafting, commerce, and information gathering as Kalev the smith.
• Night: Players undertake covert missions, engaging in stealth and combat to advance their faction's goals.

A key feature is the "Living City" system, where player actions influence meters for Rebel Morale (Hope) and Civic Order (Fear). This creates a dynamic world that reacts to the player's choices, shifting the overall Balance of Power between the Rebel and Ruler factions.

Combat System

Combat is built around a unique spell-forging system. Players can map up to 8 Elements of Philosophy (e.g., Fire, Order, Deception) to their keys. By combining these elements in sequences of up to four, players can creatively forge a vast array of spells and actions. The system allows for deep tactical flexibility, alongside traditional melee combat and the ability to lead a party of allies.

Factions

The political landscape is divided into three groups:

• Ruling Factions: Representing order and stability, these include the Danish Crown, the Livonian Order, and the Hanseatic League.
• Rebel Factions: Fighting for freedom, these include the rural Harju Kings, the urban Black Cloaks, and the pagan Cult of Metsik.
• Neutral Factions: Opportunistic groups with their own agendas, such as the Republic of Novgorod & Pskov, the Brotherhood of Blackheads, and the Vitalienbrüder pirates.

Players must choose to align with either the Rulers or the Rebels, and their actions will build or break alliances with these factions.

Story Progression

The narrative is structured in chapters that mirror the historical timeline of the uprising:

• Chapter 1 (The Simmering City): Focuses on political intrigue and building alliances before the rebellion erupts.
• Chapter 2 (The Fire of Rebellion): Begins on St. George's Night and focuses on open warfare and large-scale battles.
• Chapter 3 (The Livonian Crusade): Expands the conflict to new regions.
• Epilogue: A poignant mini-game set years later, revealing the long-term consequences of the conflict and the arrival of the plague.