My journey around the world to discover blasphemous tomes of unholy secrets continues. When in Boston, I learned about a town with a renowned University, in the not that far Essex county, named Arkham.
On my way across the eroded hills and the deep forests I managed to put my hands on a copy of what happens to be a written town guide. But something seems off since I have acquired it. An unpleasant impression that someone or something is, from now on, keeping an eye on my investigation.
As usual, I am sharing all these details with you in case something happens to me. I hope to be safe in Arkham. Wish me luck, my friend.
The weirdness of the manifestation
The tone is set as soon as one looks at the front cover: the apparent peaceful atmosphere of the town might be a complete deception. Graves, church bell tower silhouette emerging from a foggy night, full moon and strange creatures in a threatening posture. It would appear that some secrets are buried deep in this centuries old place.
Despite the excellent maps provided (some for the Keeper’s eyes only) and a recent copy of the Arkham Advertiser, it’s difficult to forget that Arkham sits only a few miles away from the infamous Salem and its cursed witches.
Along the 266 pages lie dozens of illustrations: portraits, neighbourhood maps, building plans (yes, there is a complete one of the illustrious Miskatonic library building) and flavouring ones.
If now we address the specific topic of their styles, well, aesthetics always comes to personal preferences, don’t you think? I, for one, liked some of them a lot whereas some others left me totally indifferent, too cartoonish and simplistic for my tastes. Contradicting, in a way, the spectral atmosphere of the windy landscape and its trees, decked out in the orange hues of October that I can see from my window. Hmm, I am starting to wonder if it wasn’t a mistake to come here with the night of Halloween being so close.
The non-euclidianism of the structure
What about the blasphemous content itself are you going to ask me? It’s a fair question. So let me start by telling you that there are five main chapters, not to mention the introduction nor the index.
The first one is an ‘Overview of Arkham’ that will offer you welcomed generalities about its location but also about its history and more general information such as the climate, the government of the town, laws and other useful insights.
The historical part catched my attention more as, once again, the witches were mentioned and Arkham itself called a ‘witch-cursed’ place. Of course, all of this is of the past, but … I wonder. The closer I come to Arkham the stronger the feeling I am being watched.
The second one is called ‘Arkham investigators’ and it will tell you more about investigators who call this place their home, from altered and new skills to clubs and societies via how to improve skills when being a member of some of these organisations. Just be aware that one’s reputation can be of significance here.
Next comes ‘Arkham miscellany’. This third chapter is filled with information but the most important are without a doubt ‘how to find experts and getting help’, ‘the rumors and gossip tables’ and the chilling details about a certain diabolical and secretive organization operating for eons beyond the everyday veil of the town. But I can’t write more about it as I don't want to attract their uncanny attention.
The following chapter, ‘Guide to Arkham’ is the core of the book. Across 167 pages, it develops each of the nine neighbourhoods of Arkham and its outskirts. Each of them starts with a general presentation then is followed by a very convenient map and ends by the many important locations of that part of the town, including notable folks, historical details, strangeness, a look to the future and other important things to know.
In total 290 of them are presented. It is a lot, for sure, but the directory provided really helps to navigate all the entries.
Last but not least, the fifth chapter is the ‘Appendices’. With its Lovecraftian chronology, its game aids, generic NPCs and list of resources, I wouldn’t neglect it. So I encourage you to have a look.
Beyond the veil of the everyday reality
At first glance, everything seems neat and prosperous. After all, isn’t Arkham a booming city thanks to its university and top quality education? However, I must admit that a closer look might trigger some chilling shiverings along your spine, like it does for me. Arkham is indeed a town with different layers, like a misshapen onion that grew in a poisoned soil.
The outer one is shiny, of course. A respectable strata where public reputation is of a great deal and being a ‘good person’ the expected normality. Old families are at the top of the food chain (if I may say so) and dictate policies and trends more or less officially whereas the powerful Miskatonic University and its students bring some freshness and excitement.
The second one is a bit more unsavory. Like almost everywhere at this time of prohibition in the US, an underground network of bootleggers, speakeasies, gangs and crime mobsters fight for another kind of influence and dirty money. They do not hesitate to round up the desperate and sacrifice them on the altar of their turf war.
At last, the most secret and disturbing one is also the most dangerous. As the blind, indifferent centuries crawled past, many superstitions arose and died, many secrets were threaded and some abominations released, still hidden in the darkest corners of the surrounding passages, just waiting for some too nosy victims.
It’s not that difficult to navigate between these layers but be aware that there are always consequences and obligations. And once again, people talk and love to gossip even, and sometimes especially, if it destroys a reputation. Being too curious can be dangerous in this town, believe me my fellow Keeper.
The accursed attraction of the unspeakable knowledge
As a Keeper, you know that if there is one guide to get it’s this one. Arkham is the cornerstone of the lovecraftian tales, and the first opus of the Arkham unveiled series (Innsmouth being the second rotten one).
This fourth edition builds on the previous ones for sure but definitely brings more to the table. After all, twenty one years passed between the third release (2003) and this one (2024). The waiting was excruciating and the storytellers took the time to weave their stygian spell but in the end, it was worth it. The city’s background has been explored in greater depth, new important NPC characters have been added and any and everyone will manage to find something to its taste, whatever they are.
Obviously, it will take hours for a new Keeper to get acquainted with the geography of the neighbourhoods and their inhabitants but step by step, building by building, NPC by NPC, it will be rewarding as much for you than for your PCs, to be able to flesh out their encounters with the locals.
As an investigator, most of this knowledge, for once, can be accessible. But beware of the otherworldly revelations (also called spoilers) that could ruin a terrible story concocted by your Keeper, they are disseminated a bit everywhere along the dark scriptures. Keep especially clear of the ones titled ‘Strangeness’ or ‘Look to the future’ as they are definitely not for you.
Where everything ends, where everything starts
Sometimes, it can be a challenge for Keepers like us to prepare original scenarios where investigators won’t have to face for the tenth time in a row cosmic horrors (are they still sane by the way?). One can therefore wonder what they do in between chthonic adventures. Do they socialise, have some time off and rest. Do they train to improve some skills? Do they have opportunities to pursue their regular professional activity without having to kick a whispering mass of immoral tentacles? Basically, do they have a life outside of the Mythos investigations?
Well my dear friend, if you want a setting that gives you possibilities to answer these unfathomable questions. If you have the guilty desire to fill out the PCs life whilst maintaining mundane and Mythos related options. And if you want a multi-layered sandbox where to nurture their days (and nights) in an ever mysterious environment, there is no hesitation: this opus is for you.
And let’s be honest, my fellow Keeper, if we are even just a bit alike, I know you are already craving to see what happens when you throw your dear investigators among the ‘good people’ of Arkham. Because they, just like me now, will have to put up with the unpleasant feeling of being constantly watched and judged, never knowing who hides what, never knowing, in the end, who will bind them with a terrible cursed oath.
