Arkham, an introduction.


How to find Arkham.

Arkham is in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, not far from the Atlantic Ocean, athwart the banks of the Miskatonic rive, about 22 miles NNE of Boston, a little more than 12 miles south of Newburyport. Travellers reach it by car, bus, train, or small boat. Fare for the B&O commuter train from Boston is $2,20, and from Newburyport is $1,40.

Arkham’s climate.

Arkham receives three or more inches of precipitation monthly throughout the year. Summer and fall thunderstorms are likely; occasionally a great hurricane swoops north. Winter storms can be severe.

Temperature varies more than rainfall, early October shows Arkham’s trees in full autumn colour. The hills become fabulous carpets of red, yellows, and golds. Temperature are brisk, with nighttime lows in the 40s and daytime highs in the 60s. By November, fallen leaves litter everywhere, and the trees are nearly bare.

Occasional light snow-showers occur as early as late November, but the snow rarely last, and Arkham rarely enjoys a white Christmas. January and February are cold, when low temperatures are normally 20°-30°F. Anything lower than 10°F is considered remarkable.

Winter thaws in March, but cool temperatures can last into early April. By the end of April, flowers begin to bloom and the trees begin to leaf.

May and June bring the first 70°F days, and July the first summer heat. In August when the onshore breezes fail, temperatures can soar to 90°F and more. The air hangs in the valley, humid and stagnant, creating uncomfortably sticky days and nights. These periods are usually short, however, and temperatures above 85°F are exceptional. In general, the evenings cool off considerably and, especially near the river, a light jacket might be considered. The Miskatonic is often cool for comfortable swimming, though hearty souls and young men showing off regularly make the plunge.

In September, the weather cools, and the first light frost may fall at the end of the month. This time is sunny and breezy, with scattered showers. Students return to school, leaves turn, and the cycle begins again.

General hours of business.

Financial institutions generally are open to the public from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M, Monday-Friday. Governmental offices are open 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., but closed lunch-time. Most merchants are open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Some especially hardware and department stores and lumberyards stay open for part or all of Saturday. Sunday closures are nearly absolute.

Restaurants usually maintain hours that suit their clientele; early rising Arkhamites find the notion of eating at 8:00 P.M. decadently continental and conceivably un-Christian.

Commercial activity halts on Sunday. With certain exceptions, it is against the law (and the law will be enforced) to operate any business of any kind between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 11:00: A.M. on the Sabbath. Then we hear the sound of money only in collection plates.

However, on Sunday, with the express permission of the selectmen, Western Union receives and delivers wires, but do not transmit them; the telephone exchange is open and operating, as is the B&M rail line and the local taxi service; restaurants, speakeasies, gift shops, or other luxurious enterprises, with a single exception never open on Sunday. Sunday dinner is family affairs, not commercial opportunities.

Improving Investigator skills.

Besides courses from the university, small private schools and individual instructor offer ways to increase investigator skills, as may participation in certain clubs.

A course of study usually requires uninterrupted attendance in order to grant improvement in a skill. Breaking off study to go adventuring negates the chance.

The importance of being reputable.

Because CoC is often played as a series of globetrotting adventures, many games and campaigns rarely use or think about Credit Rating except as momentary hindrance: "To get dynamite, roll your Credit Ratings, and we’ll see if you strangers impress the storekeeper as upright citizens." But a campaign based in Arkham and its surrounds means that many town characters become neighbors, and that investigator reputations and contacts accumulate from adventure to adventure. Gossip is a staple in Arkham: investigators should find that most residents quickly get all the news not fit to print. ‘Notorious’ implies that a resident will know of and judge another by his or her reputation.

Investigator choices and actions will certainly alter investigator Credit Ratings, and to that end Credit Rating changes should be part of scenario conclusions, should be taken into account when participating in clubs and activities, and should be at issue wherever the keeper finds the theme pertinent. Though Credit Rating can be increased, like all skills, it can also be lost swiftly, more swiftly perhaps than any attribute, except Sanity, since the loss depends merely on town opinion and is not derived from game statistic. The Keeper is not chary of declaring Credit Rating changes in Arkham, since tongues are quick and not always charitable.

Joining a club.

Once settled in, an investigator might join a club or two, to get to know people. Various organizations exists and many bestow tangible benefits for membership. A list follows, noting exactly each club’s address.

Astronomical Society.

Amateur astronomers meet weekly in the warmer months of the year for stargazing filed trips.

Athletic Club.

A young male professionals’ association formed several years ago as a refuge from Prohibition and incidentally to play handball and rugby. Membership is by invitation only.

Chamber of commerce.

A businessmen’s organization active civically. Member must be a property owner.

Arkham Amateur Theatre Company.

Headquartered at the Manley Theatre.

Daughters of the American Revolution.

A conservative women’s organization dedicated to community service and patriotic Americanism. Membership is by invitation only.

Eye of Amara.

A mystic society headquartered in a mansion. Membership is by invitation only.

Gun club.

Pheasant and partridge shooters meet at various private homes or in the field. The owner of Parrington’s gun shop is president or founder. Membership is by invitation only.

Historical Society.

Dedicated to the preservation of Arkham’s historical sites and memorabilia.

Masonic lodge.

A secretive means mens’ ‘mystic society’ with strong professionals ties, frequently involved in civic affairs. An informal associate group for women exist. The Catholic Church forbids membership in this organization. Membership is by invitation only.

Miskatonic Club.

A posh club for people of good family who have money. Membership is by invitation only.

Rotary.

A service organization devoted to good deeds in the community. Membership is by sponsorship only.

School Board.

Members must be popularly elected, but the position carry prestige.

Arkham today.

Though New Englands’ fortunes declined after the Great War, local survey shows that 83% of Arkham homeowners possess electric irons, 77% have gas or electrical washing machines, and 51% have or plan to purchase vacuum cleaners. Nearly 50% of Arkham families own at least one automobile, and merchants complain of those who park their machines in front of shops all day.

The interurban trollies that once linked Arkham, Ipswich, Kingsport, Bolton, and Salem have been abandoned with the coming of the automobile. A bus line has recently re-established some of these routes.

Problems persistently arise between Town and University. At present, the cost of campus police protection is being debated. The universities young president, Dr. Wainscott, has dared to enter the controversy by running for mayor. Even if the election in November goes to the university, the perennial struggle for power between Town and University will not end.

Though there is no boom, the new construction of apartment buildings, University buildings, and filling stations attests to general prosperity. Arkham, feels the effects much less than other towns in the area, but it is hurt. Most of Arkham’s industries, employers of the poorer classes, lay off workers, and more than a few close their doors forever.

The neighborhood of Arkham.

More to come.....