You are nobody. No chosen one, no prophecy. Just a survivor in a dangerous world.

JiJinia is an action RPG mod for Hytale bringing Path of Exile-style build depth and Dark Souls-inspired combat to a dark medieval setting. Scrape together equipment and skills through sheer persistence, discover ancient Grimoires that unlock supernatural abilities, and ascend beyond mortal limits.

The Setting

A dark medieval world where power comes from ancient texts

Grimoires hold the secrets to unlocking inner power beyond normal human limits. Those who master these texts can ascend through stages of power, gaining supernatural abilities. Finding one is a major event - mastering one changes everything.

Grounded & Gritty

Not high fantasy. Violence has consequences. Dark humor in the face of hardship.

Moral Ambiguity

No clear good vs evil. Factions have understandable motivations.

Hope Through Perseverance

No destiny, no prophecy. Just survival and the will to grow stronger.

Core Pillars

Equipment Defines Identity

No Classes - what you wear defines what you can do. Any character can equip any gear (if they meet requirements). Mix and match: knight's helmet + assassin's daggers + monk's robes = viable build.

👒Head
👕Chest
🦶Hands
👖Legs
👟Feet
🗡Main Hand
🛡Off Hand
🎁Back

Visual Consistency: What enemies wear = what you can loot. No hidden stats, no bait-and-switch.

Skill-by-Doing Progression

Skills improve through use, not XP. No abstract experience points. No "level up" moments. Gradual, continuous improvement based on how you play.

Swing swords → Sword skill Get hit → Toughness Run around → Athletics Sneak past enemies → Stealth

The Ascension System

Ancient Grimoires unlock the path to transcending mortal limits.

Develop inner power (Essence) through meditation and combat. Progress is rare and dangerous - but the rewards are supernatural abilities beyond normal human limits.

MundaneNo ascension - standard combat only
AwakenedDetect hidden enemies, sense danger
ChannelerPower strikes, slow stamina regen boost
AdeptArcane arts usable, passive essence regen
TemplarEnhanced speed/strength, elemental resistance
ArchonPowerful techniques, environmental resistance

Arcane Arts (Passive)

Only one active at a time. Examples:

Stone Skin - Reduce physical damage Featherfall - Increased jump, reduced fall damage Venom Blood - Poison resistance, poison touch Resonance Strike - Delayed internal damage

Essence Techniques (Active)

Cost Essence to use. Examples:

Force Bolt - Ranged essence blast Blade Arc - Projectile slash wave Blink - Short-range teleport Ward - Temporary damage absorption

The Discipline System

Fighting philosophies that determine your combat flexibility.

Inspired by EverQuest Next. Your equipped weapon provides 4 fixed abilities. Your Discipline provides 4 technique slots. Most Disciplines are procedurally generated through exploration.

Templar Oath

2 Strike, 1 Guard, 1 Tactic • +10% vs supernatural

Hospitaller

1 Strike, 1 Guard, 2 Tactic • Healing +25%

Rigger

2 Footwork, 1 Strike, 1 Tactic • Climbing +30%

Stowaway

2 Footwork, 1 Strike, 1 Tactic • Stealth +25%

Color-Coded Damage

The color IS the damage type. No hidden stats - visual consistency throughout.

Physical

Standard damage, affected by armor

Fire

Burning DoT, bonus vs armored

Lightning

Chain to nearby enemies, shock

Poison

Stacking DoT, reduces healing

Ice

Slows movement/attack speed

Dark

Ignores armor, drains stamina

Combine elements by averaging RGB values: Fire + Lightning = Plasma, Fire + Ice = Steam, Lightning + Ice = Shatter

Development Phases

Phase 0: Project scaffolding
Phase 1: Single character combat + damage types
2 Phase 2: Equipment & loot system
3 Phase 3: Skill-by-doing progression
4 Phase 4: Discipline system
5 Phase 5: Ascension system
6 Phase 6: World & factions

Inspiration

Path of Exile

Affix system, build variety

Dark Souls

Combat commitment, hitbox precision

Mount & Blade

Medieval combat, faction warfare

EverQuest Next

Class/ability slot system (Disciplines)

Who's Making This?

JiJinia is being developed by fivewyze llc.

Want to get involved? Check out our development log or get in touch.