Job Fit For a Devil

Pyotr Alekseyevich Romanov is the first emperor of all Russia as well as a great sorcerer. With the goal of consolidating his might, he decided to found a new capital in a special location - in a place of much power. Peter I wants to built a city which will multiply his strength and aid him in changing Russia by turning it into an empire. But the local masters, such as the Vodyanoy in the Neva river, the Leshy in the surrounding forests and the Kikimora in the swamps, oppose the new city and get in the way of the construction. They send wild animals, plagues/fevers, undead, fogs and floods his way.

But Peter the Great isn't so simple himself.  He has a lot of evil spirits of different ranks in his service. The government devils undertake any work necessary,  but don't always get it done well. The devils were given the task of making all the local spirits submit to the will of Peter and not get in the way of the city's construction. The game's protagonist is a devil of the lowest rank, a little Shish/ a Shishok. Perhaps, he will be the one to succeed where the elders have not.

The Shish has little power, so he has to use cunning and wit to solve the problems  thrown his way.
In order to get his way, the Shish will have to do a lot of talking, convincing, eavesdropping, lying and tricking. Often, to get something,  it will be necessary to give something away. But to give something away, one has to get hold of it in the first place.

Evil spirits are known for the ability to transform into anyone and anything, be it human or animal. With time the Shish will learn to turn into a mouse, a pike and a little girl.

Winning a game of cards or of chance is an effective way to get your way. However, as everybody knows, devils aren't very good at cards,  so often resort to cheating.

Even though the devil is on duty, that doesn't mean he can't get up to some mischief for his own enjoyment. Oh, and there will be plenty opportunities for that!

Location - Saint Petersburg during the first years after its founding.

Alternative history. Real historical figures in fictional circumstances.

Plotlines from fables and everyday fairy tales about devils, soldiers, thieves and fools.

Russian lubok as the basis for the game visuals.

Folk music with modern arrangement.