San Arteixo De Montalyo

The first time I came to this village and met its inhabitants, I realised that something strange was haunting their minds. I remember how the evening air was so cold that I could feel it travel inside my bones, winding its way through my very frame. As this cold descended, so everybody began to return to their ramshackle dwellings, locking their doors tight, hoping not to be left defenceless against the horrifying terrors of the world.

It seemed to me that these people had no souls, that they had turned away from God and abandoned themselves to superstition. I tried hard to forget that feeling, but my partner kept it fresh in my mind with questions upon questions, and deeper, unspoken fears etched into his brow. He was younger than me and had not yet mastered his own terrors, so I was gentle on him. My main concern was to find a place to spend the night. I wasn't worried about monsters or demons, but the cold... Another night sleeping rough and my bones would be rankling all the way to Santiago.

Between Faith And Superstition

My master once said that the thin line between faith and superstition is very easy to cross. Both are blind beliefs, seemingly without tangible confirmation. Everyone can choose whether to believe or not, and that makes faith and superstition being both far apart, and yet so close. This village tested me at every turn, forcing me to wonder upon which path I trod.

Every conversation with the people of this town troubled me. Their fears, like the cold, passed through me and sometimes I was able to see the same things as them. I mention it now, in hushed tones, that I was on occasion able to pass through where I could not beore, to wake up at a cave entrance without knowing how I got there.

The best way to forget everything about this place was to pray in a holy place reinforcing my faith and taking myself away from those poisonous thoughts. Prayer was my saviour for many nights, for it made it clear that there was no strange places, nor otherworldly horrors.

But time and again there were events I cannot comprehend. There followed times that I feared I may completely losing my faith and my sanity. To be wholly deceived by that collection of pagan beliefs, myths and characters, and abandon forever everything that could link me with my previous life.

I shall not tell you what happened next until I can control myself, as I am still in doubt over that which was real, and that which was merely a product of my imagination.

But I can show you what I have seen. I can show you my story. Though, should you follow this path, be sure you are stronger-willed than I.

Game Controls

O - Left, P - Right, Q - Up, A - Down, Space/M - Start Game

Alternatively, use a Kempston or Sinclair 1/2 joystick.

G - Reset Game (Answer affirmatively)
G - Pause Game (Answer negatively)

Fire control lets you interact with objects or characters in front of you. To get objects, simply walk over them.

Continuing The Game

Finishing the game can take a while, so we've divided the story into chapters, and each one will give you a password to resume the game later.

Passwords will differ depending on the objects you've taken and actions you've made. That's why you'll probably obtain different keys in different games.

To restore a game using a password, press key R on the title screen, type the password then press ENTER. If the password is valid, the game will resume. If not, the game will return to the title screen.

Dedication

Benway:
The original text adventure was dedicated to Esther Peralta, and it's fair to keep it. In addition, I have to include the two best and most demanding beta-testers this game had. Nicolas and Elena Garcia Rengel, not forgetting Miguel Garcia Rengel.

And, of course, as in all my previous games, nothing would have been possible without Maria Rengel Arribas.

I also want to thank Pagantipaco for developing the original script as ar as I could never have done alone, and making this game to become what it is.

Pagantipaco:
Publicly thanks Benway for accepting the challenge of changing the design of the game, my dream has come true in Spectrum to create a title that reflects many of my references. Thanks Retroworks team for their support, time and contributions.

Thanks to everyone who has come to me in person and through social networks giving us their support, reviews, and patience. I specially want to dedicate this game to Joel Manuel Saura who has encouraged me from the beginning to the end and beyond.

Game Credits

Original Script: Benway
Adaptation And Game Design: Pagantipaco & Benway
Coding: Benway
Graphic Art And Cover: Pagantipaco
Loading Screen: Neil Parsons
Music: Benway And Mikomedes
Testing: All Retroworks Team, Traperic & Daniel Canales Llera

This program uses the following routines:

Wyzplayer AY player (WYZ)
Exomizer decompressor (Metalbrain, A. Villena and Urusergi)
Pentext text decompressor (Benway and Metalbrain)

Published by Monument Microgames 2017