Ashen Sanctum

A hardcore 1v1 / 2v2 PvP skirmish Action RPG combining the tactical depth of classic Warcraft 3 / World of Warcraft arena rotations with the deliberate animation commitment and invulnerability-frame dodging of Dark Souls. Built on Godot 4.3 with the lightweight GL Compatibility renderer for high-framerate competitive execution.

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Architecture Overview

ashen-sanctum/
├── .github/workflows/
│   └── build_windows.yml       # Headless CI/CD Windows x86_64 export
├── export_presets.cfg          # Windows Desktop embedded release preset
├── project.godot               # Project configuration, autoloads, input bindings
├── scenes/
│   ├── arena.tscn              # 30m circular stone colosseum with team spawn anchors
│   ├── lobby.tscn              # ENet connection and host/join interface
│   ├── player.tscn             # CharacterBody3D with MultiplayerSynchronizer
│   └── ui/
│       └── CombatHUD.tscn      # Vitals, target frame, cast bar, action bar
└── scripts/
    ├── core/
    │   ├── GameData.gd         # Autoload: Enums, stats, and 10 balanced spell blueprints
    │   └── NetworkManager.gd   # Autoload: ENet peer lifecycle, spawn orchestration
    ├── combat/
    │   └── CastSystem.gd       # Server-authoritative cast timer, LoS raycasts, interrupts
    ├── entities/
    │   └── Player.gd           # FSM, movement, dodge roll i-frames, targeting
    └── ui/
        ├── CombatHUD.gd        # Real-time UI updates, interrupt flashes, CD sweeps
        └── Lobby.gd            # Lobby network dispatch controller

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Core Mechanics

1. Finite State Machine (FSM)

Every character operates under strict states:

• IDLE / MOVING: Standard locomotion with 8-directional movement and smooth yaw interpolation.
• CASTING: Character is rooted in place while channeling spells with cast times. Interruption resets the character to IDLE and triggers a school lockout.
• DODGE_ROLLING: Consumes stamina to launch the character in the moving direction at 3x speed for 0.35s. The first 0.20s grants complete invulnerability (_is_invulnerable = true).
• STUNNED: Complete loss of control caused by poise/stagger depletion or crowd control.
• DEAD: Player defeat and disablement.

2. Server-Authoritative Hit Registration & Interrupts

• Line of Sight & Range: Hits are validated on the server using PhysicsServer3D raycasts against arena geometry before applying damage or healing.
• School Lockout: Successfully landing an interrupt (e.g. Counterspell) against a player while in CASTING state abruptly halts the cast, flashes their cast bar red with an INTERRUPTED! notification, and locks out that specific spell school for 3.0 seconds.

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Default Controls

Action	Key / Input	Description
Move Forward	W	Move character toward north
Move Backward	S	Move character toward south
Move Left	A	Move character toward west
Move Right	D	Move character toward east
Dodge Roll	Space	0.35s roll with 0.20s i-frame window (Stamina cost: 25)
Select Target	Left Click	3D raycast to select opponent
Cycle Target	Tab	Cycles through living enemy combatants
Spell Slot 1	1	Casts assigned primary spell (Default: Fireball)
Spell Slot 2	2	Casts assigned utility spell (Default: Frost Nova)
Spell Slot 3	3	Casts assigned interrupt spell (Default: Counterspell)

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Spell Roster (GameData.gd)

ID	Spell	School	Cast Time	Cooldown	Mana	Base Dmg	Base Heal	Tactical Role
1	Fireball	Fire	1.8s	3.0s	30	85	-	Heavy ranged damage
2	Frost Nova	Frost	Instant	12.0s	25	45	-	Close-range burst + interrupt
3	Arcane Blast	Arcane	2.5s	4.0s	40	120	-	High-risk nuclear cast
4	Shadow Bolt	Shadow	2.0s	3.5s	35	95	-	Mid-range direct attrition
5	Flash Heal	Holy	1.5s	5.0s	50	-	120	Emergency life preservation
6	Counterspell	Arcane	Instant	24.0s	20	-	-	Instant kick + 3s school lockout
7	Wrath	Nature	1.5s	2.5s	25	70	-	Fast low-mana ranged poke
8	Holy Shock	Holy	Instant	6.0s	30	60	60	Instant hybrid heal or strike
9	Blizzard	Frost	3.0s	8.0s	60	150	-	Channeled area punishment
10	Mind Flay	Shadow	Instant	3.0s	20	55	-	Fast finisher against low HP

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Testing & Running

Option A: Download Automated Windows Release

Every commit automatically compiles via GitHub Actions.

1. Navigate to the Actions tab.
2. Select the latest successful workflow run.
3. Download the AshenSanctum-Windows-x86_64 artifact.
4. Extract the .zip and launch AshenSanctum.exe.

Option B: Local 2-Client Testing

1. Launch Instance 1: Click Host (Port 7777) to start the local listen server.
2. Launch Instance 2: Leave the IP as 127.0.0.1 and click Join (Port 7777).
3. Test target selection (Left Click / Tab), spell casting, interrupt windows, and dodging attacks during the 0.20s i-frame window.

Option C: Dedicated Headless Server

To host on a remote headless Linux server without rendering overhead:

./godot --headless -- --server

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Planned Enhancements

• Parry / Riposte Window: Introduce an active 0.15s parry state (Right Click) that reflects physical attacks and triggers heavy stagger on the attacker.
• Class Profiles: Dynamic loadouts for Templar, Cleric, and Spellblade presets.
• PvE Encounter Engine: The Stone Colossus boss rush arena.