ARKHAM

ARKHAM and MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY

ARKHAM HISTORY and LAW

Located on the banks of the Miskatonic River, Arkham, Massachusetts, was first settled in the latter 17th century and lies some 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Boston. Arkham’s population is around 22,500; it is large enough that no one knows everyone but just small enough that folks feel as though they could.

Sunday closures are near absolute: with certain exceptions, it is against the law to operate any business of any kind between the hours of 6 am and 11 am. Restaurants, speakeasies, gift shops, and other luxurious enterprises, never open on Sunday—Sunday dinners are family affairs, not commercial opportunities.

Discharging a firearm in Arkham is illegal without good reason, as is possessing significant explosives (dynamite or dynamite caps). Carrying a concealed weapon is legal but requires a permit (obtainable from the police).

As for carrying weapons around town:

1.       Essie’s bow+arrow and bullwhip would be seen as theatrical, and not given much concern.

2.       Non-ballistic weapons are OK. Although, if Peter were caught with his garrote there would be serious questions!

3.       Licensed pistols are OK.

4.       Rifles are more expected in the countryside for hunting. Found in your car can be easily explained. Found on your person in the city is another matter.

5.       Phillip’s MP18 submachine gun would easily be construed as mobster/mafia, bootlegging offense. Serious jailtime!

 

In terms of alcohol, the police know that beer and liquor have long been entering town despite Prohibition. Hell, even the chief enjoys a glass of scotch in the evening. Helpful officers often escort drunks home, especially the upper-crust. Rowdy and abusive drunks risk being subdued, taken to the station, and booked. Most misdemeanor arrests mean at least a night in jail, longer if it’s a weekend. Minor crimes usually warrant a warning, fine, or short jail term.

MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY

Science Hall: Lecture halls, classrooms, and the offices of the School of Natural Sciences (125) and the Biology Department (103) are on the first floor. The second floor is home to the School of Applied Sciences (205), and the Astor Department of Mathematics (228). The School of Physical Sciences (327) dominates the third floor. The fourth floor consists of cramped offices and some smaller classrooms, but it is primarily devoted to faculty office space. Only two laboratory rooms are actually situated in the Science Hall: one in the basement (B6) and one on the second floor (210). The majority of labs, including Prof. Learmonth’s laboratory and office, can be found in the Charles Tyner Science Annex next door.

Charles Tyner Science Annex: The annex is two stories high, and it consists primarily of advanced experimental laboratories for use by the various departments of the School of Sciences. The departments of astronomy, metallurgy, and engineering have their offices on the second floor. Prof. Learmonth’s laboratory can be found on the ground floor, while his office is on the second floor.

Orne Library (Director, Dr. Henry Armitage): The massive, three storied building holds just over 400,000 volumes (small compared to nearby Cambridge and Boston libraries). However, MU is renowned for its collections of New England histories, letters, and documents, many of which date back to the witch hysteria in Salem. The library is also famous for its collection of rare works of occult and magical philosophy, surpassed only by the oldest institutions in Europe. Within, the library’s marble halls are cold, quiet, and drafty, but the massive skylight and tall, arched windows admit sufficient light.

The library is open from 8 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm. Only the reference room is open on Sundays, from 1–6 pm; consequently, no books can be checked out on Sundays. On that day, only one assistant librarian is on duty.

Restricted Collection: On the third floor, behind a heavy steel door, lies the Restricted Collection (305), containing the bulk of the Mythos holdings in the library. No one may enter the Restricted Collection without the express permission (and usually in the presence) of Dr. Armitage. Only Dr. Armitage can give approval to read any portion of any book in the Restricted Collection, and a member of the library staff must be present at all times when such a book is read. All notes taken by researchers and copies made of specific passages are also subject to Armitage’s perusal.