Beyond Atlantis

The game is closely based on historical facts and ancient myths. In 1054 CE, a number of astronomers around the world observed an exploding star, a supernova, which led to the creation of the Crab Nebula. The intensity of this supernova was greater than all other stars, including the light of Venus, and was visible in broad daylight for 23 consecutive days, and at night for about two years.

The phenomenon was described extensively by Chinese astronomers, and more tentatively by the Annals of Tigernach written in an Irish monastery, Arab chronicles and Native American paintings. This is where the game's Irish and Chinese locales come from. For instance, the Irish abbot in the game remarks about the spell that "it's all connected to that star that's been shining in the day", and a Chinese monk explains his monastery is haunted "ever since that strange new star appeared in the heavens".

The New Mexico location of paintings, however, was moved to Yucatán, apparently because the Mayans were known for their advanced astronomy. Supernovas and other striking natural phenomena were often seen as portents of apocalyptic evil or other momentous religious events, which is the way they are presented in the game.