The Arkham Gazette #1 is a role playing game supplement published by Sentinel Hill Press for use with Call of Cthulhu, the horror role playing game supplement based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. This is a supplement for the 1920s, concentrating on Arkham.
The supplement is available for $8.99 as a PDF and $10.99 softcover print on demand book or both for $10.99 from DriveThruRPG. The PDF is the version reviewed, although it was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. There are three PDFs; the main one is 77 pages with one being the front cover and two and a half the front matter and Table of Contents.
About half a page explains this is the first proper issue of the Arkham Gazette, which has been significantly revised and expanded since its initial release following the Kickstarter for Issue #3. There’s a list of the material in the issue and thanks.
Deep Background: Locations in Greater Arkham is a compilation of locations that have been created for various scenarios in addition to the ones in the setting book. Ten different locations are described, with their addresses and the scenario they are from, followed by a road map of Arkham showing their locations.
New Place: The Gladding School describes a school that began as a place where those considered subpar mentally could be trained to be useful. A history of the school, which had some definitely disturbing incidents in its past, is given, along with facilities, current head, an overview of the staff and using the school in game.
The Biblio-file: Thaumaturgical Prodigies in the New England Canaan covers this fictional Mythos tome in detail, with its history, that of the author, details of different editions, what can be gained by reading or scanning it, the contents, where it can be found and which Lovecraft Country scenarios it appears in.
An Encounter: Altercation on West Armitage Street has the investigators witness a short confrontation. Should they dig into it, there are three possible reasons for the encounter; the Keeper should choose which.
Deep Background: Arkham’s Markers: A History is on Arkham’s boundary markers, gives their history, a fictional newspaper article about them and some scenario hooks.
Scenario Seed: The Case of the Missing Manhole Covers is a single page about Arkham’s sewer covers briefly going missing, with three potential explanations.
Documentary Evidence: Report of Delusions of an Invisible Monster is a prop document, a medical journal article that details cases of strange delusions in the Arkham area with suggestions as to how to make use of this.
Deep Background: Arkham’s Diners covers four diners from Arkham Unveiled, with two others and a lunch wagon. A history of diners is given, with their general layout, locations, food, including New England specialities, and diner culture, before describing the diners, together with maps. There are other cheap places to eat briefly mentioned. A street map with their locations follows.
Scenario Seed: Arkham Curios describes seven different unusual items, their history, different places they might be found and their secrets.
Scenario: The Bosworth House has the investigators look into a recent murder. This scenario will not be suitable for everyone; it’s a scenario of psychological horror and is described as being unwinnable.
Annotated Scenario Bibliography: Arkham is a list of all published scenarios, in print or online, set at least partially in Arkham during the 1920s and 30s. They are in alphabetical order and each scenario gives the publication it was in, author, summary, setting, locations visited (with Arkham location numbers), entities, tomes and notes, with notes giving opinions on the scenario.
The second PDF is 11 pages long with one being the front cover and contains duplicates of the handouts.
The final PDF is the 7th Edition conversion notes. This is two pages long and gives the 7the Edition stats by page number.
The Arkham Gazette #1 in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and, given its length and the number of sections, these would have been useful. The Table of Contents just lists the major sections. Navigation is poor. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and a number of minor errors were noticed. There are a variety of black and white illustrations, photos and maps, many of which appear to be custom but some photos are probably stock.
This is the second collection for what was originally called Lovecraft Country but which is now called Miskatonic Country. Like Issue #0, it covers a specific area, in this case Arkham. More authors have contributed to this issue, and it again covers fictional in-universe history, and real history where this intersects, along with new items, new places, a scenario (though the scenario is a bit iffy for many groups) and other supplementary material for Arkham. The Arkham Gazette #1 is a great resource for any Keeper planning to run a 1920s to 30s Arkham campaign and it can be found by clicking here.
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