Arkham

Arkham is a fictional city in Massachusetts. H. P. Lovecraft set many of his stories there and Cthulhu Mythos writers have continued to feature the town in stories written since his death. Similarly, it can be a locale for action in roleplaying games based on the Mythos, such as Call of Cthulhu.

Related Topics:
Fictional city - Massachusetts - H. P. Lovecraft - Cthulhu Mythos - Roleplaying games - Call of Cthulhu

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Arkham is the home of Miskatonic University, which figures prominently in many of Lovecraft's works. It is this institution that finances the expeditions in both ?At the Mountains of Madness? and ?The Shadow out of Time? and is where Walter Gilman of ?The Dreams in the Witch House? attends classes. Arkham's main newspaper is the Advertiser, which has a circulation that reaches Dunwich.

Related Topics:
Miskatonic University - Dunwich

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Arkham?s most notable characteristics are its gambrel roofs and the dark legends surrounding the city for centuries. Occurrences such as the disappearance of children (presumed murdered in ritual sacrifices) at May Eve and other ?bad doings? are accepted as a part of life for the poorer citizens of the city.

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The precise location of Arkham is unknown. However, it may be surmised from Lovecraft's stories that it is some distance to the north of Boston, probably in Essex County, Massachusetts. It has been suggested by some that the real-life model for Arkham is, in fact, Salem (its reputation for the occult making it appealing to one who dabbles in the weird tale).

Related Topics:
Boston - Essex County, Massachusetts - Salem

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Also, in many Batman comic books Arkham Asylum is shown or mentioned, as a place in which many villains, including the Joker, are kept under guard. The third Shadow Hearts video game (Shadow Hearts: From the New World) has you visit the fictional Arkham University, based in Boston, Massachusetts. H. P. Lovecraft himself appears as a professor at the university, conjuring up demons for the heroes to fight at their request.

Related Topics:
Batman - Comic books - Arkham Asylum - Villains - Joker - Shadow Hearts - Boston - Massachusetts - H. P. Lovecraft

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Arkham House, a publishing company started by two of Lovecraft's correspondants, takes its name from this city as a tribute.

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