"Niskala: Sacred Knowledge of Leyak", inspired by Balinese culture, local wisdom, Balinese folklore, as well as diversity in Bali and of course with the help of sources to dig up information about "leak/leyak".
Tells the story of a young man named Putu, who is a college student who lives in the city. Putu has a grandfather and lives with his uncle in a city where his grandfather has just died and before his grandfather actually died, his grandfather whispered something to Putu, and did not have time to whisper it. fully. After his grandfather died, Putu experienced a mysterious disorder, which came from the knowledge of "elusion" which Putu thought was from his grandfather and was inherited by him or transferred to him. Putu tries to find information about what the science of "extermination" is and what the solution is to solve this problem, when his journey encounters several obstacles such as being cheated, and getting treatment and not getting better and finally finding the right person. In the end, Putu's insight began to increase and the truth was revealed.
Story Outlining
The process of realizing one is afflicted by a mystical disturbance
It began when Putu’s grandfather passed away. Putu felt that he had either inherited some kind of mystical power or was being harmed by it. However, he did not know exactly what kind of power it was.
What the character feels when receiving and living with this mystical condition
Putu often experienced disturbing dreams and frequent supernatural disturbances.
The character’s restlessness / unease (inner conflict)
Putu felt that his recently deceased grandfather was evil, though he did not understand why his grandfather would want to harm him by placing this mystical force into his body—at least, that was Putu’s perception.
Problems faced
As Putu tried to find answers, the supernatural disturbances persisted. He even sought medical help, suspecting he was physically ill, but doctors found nothing wrong. This led him to search for someone who understood mystical matters, only to be scammed by a fake balian (traditional healer).
Solution or resolution experienced
Putu finally found help through a jero dasaran in the city—a spiritual practitioner—who, with the help of a friend who accompanied him, began to address Putu’s problem.
What he did after learning his condition
Putu returned to his home village to seek answers about his illness or current condition by meeting the right jero dasaran in his village.
Multiple Endings – Your Choices Shape the Story
In Niskala: Sacred Knowledge of Leyak, every step you take comes with consequences.
Will you follow the guidance of the Jero Dasaran, make sacred offerings (Mebanten) as in Balinese tradition, and maintain harmony with the ancestral spirits?
Or will you choose to ignore the traditions, challenge the unseen rules, and face the price of your defiance?
Every decision leads to a different path — from survival, loss, to hidden truths that only reveal themselves to those who respect the sacred offerings and ancestral beliefs.
Feature:
1. Bars
Health Bar Experience the tension every time you're attacked by an enemy or disturbed by the presence of supernatural/mysterious entities. Don't worry, as your health bar only decreases after two faints. It also interacts with other bars and can recover based on certain conditions set within the game.
Sanity Bar Each step you take will be tested by supernatural or mystical beings lurking in the shadows. Your heart will race faster as your sanity bar decreases when you get too close to these entities. The effects intensify when the bar reaches zero, plunging you into a hallucinatory world full of riddles.
Social Bar Every interaction with NPCs has a significant impact. Engaging in meaningful conversations will increase the Social Bar, while lack of interaction will gradually reduce it. Be careful, as improper answers can cause the bar to drop more quickly. Build positive relationships with NPCs to gain benefits, including opportunities to obtain useful items. Prepare yourself for an adventure that involves both mystical entities and valuable interactions with unique characters in this game.
Bulun Kala Radar "Bulun Kala," or the "fear radar," functions as a tool to detect shifts in the mood and environment. When the radar peaks, signs such as fear, nervousness, and sudden cold chills will manifest. At certain radar levels, it signals a high likelihood of nearby supernatural entities or mystical auras. However, be cautious. If the radar reaches too high and your sanity bar hits critical levels, the intense vibrations from the radar can destabilize your consciousness. Maintain your balance to avoid negative effects from these intense vibrations while navigating a world filled with mysteries and the supernatural.
2. Manners
Real-life manners are implemented in the game, such as greeting with "Om Swastiastu" (equivalent to "excuse me" or "hello") when visiting a house, reflecting traditional Balinese customs.
3. Mystical Street
In Bali, it's common to experience disorientation or lose your way when passing through a notoriously haunted street without saying “Nyelang Margi” (a Balinese phrase similar to 'excuse me'"”). This concept is integrated into the game, where your bars influence this mechanic.
4. Attack
Players can attack Villains /leyak(e.g., "Leak") while keeping an eye on their Social Bar and even the Leak’s Social Bar. Players can use "gamal wood" to throw at or strike the Leak, but timing is crucial. Ensure your Social Bar is higher than the Leak's to create the right momentum.
"In our game world, player attacks reflect prior development and influence future experiences. Decide whether to engage in certain paths based on how well you've built your Health, Sanity, and Social Bars. It's essential to monitor the balance of these bars before advancing the storyline.
To ensure optimal bar conditions from the start, focus on these tips:
Protect your mind by engaging in activities that enhance emotional stability, such as interacting positively with NPCs and completing tasks effectively.
Avoid challenging paths highlighted by the Bulun Kala radar if you feel unprepared to advance to the next level.
Our game revolves around an inner duel, with critical words and timing. You can also choose physical actions like deflecting or throwing sand, adding a layer of realism to the combat experience. This way, you can feel a closer connection to reality when facing your fears."
Narrative Concept & Spiritual Social Mechanics in Niskala
In Niskala, we aim to introduce Balinese mythology through a deep and thoughtful approach — exploring pengleakan (Balinese mystical practice) not merely as a supernatural power, but as part of a broader spiritual-social system.
One key principle of pengleakan is that one cannot simply harm a target. Instead, the leyak (practitioner of this mystical art) must first provoke emotional reactions in the target, such as hatred, anger, or a desire for revenge, through words or actions.
However, before any attack can occur, there is a spiritual judgment — a weighing of whether the target truly deserves to be harmed. This judgment is believed to take place in the Merajan (Balinese family shrine), or through the will of God or the ancestors.
To reflect this in gameplay, we’ve added a social system where:
Players can talk to their opponents before combat begins.
Conversations affect the character’s social value.
Only the character with higher social standing (through words and actions) can initiate attacks.
This applies to both the main character and the leyak opponents.
With this system, combat is not just about strength — it’s about ethics, speech, and spiritual balance, reflecting the wisdom of Balinese culture that we strive to share with the world.
5. Player Defense
Players can block attacks from the Leak when it strikes. However, getting too close to the Leak will decrease your Sanity Bar, followed by the Health Bar if your sanity runs out.
6. Speaking
When facing Villains/Leyak, players can boost their bars by conversing with them, as Leaks are humans who use mystical knowledge to transform.
Game difficulty levels, from normal to hard, will adapt to the condition of your bars. Challenge yourself to master the game by maintaining bar balance, making the right decisions at the right time, and achieving victory in an intense inner duel!
