Cthulu by searchlight.
Arkaham-on-Sea is situated on the Island of Foulness, Essex. The town is situated about 6 miles from Southend-on-Sea, and about 40 miles from London. Despite this few people, even locals know of the village. One reason for this is that the village is situated within the area of the Foulness firing ranges, and as such is a high security area. Another reason is the extreme insulaness of the locals.
The history of Arkaham-on-Sea is shrouded in mystery and myth, What can be said for sure is that as early as the early bronze age the site of the town was of some importance. For within the town precincts lies one of the few menire stones in Essex (called locally Old father Dagon). If the town is older it is difficult to say, no archaeological dig has ever stayed more then a few days. Although even this limited work has uncovered stone age relics, of an apparently (though at this time unproven) ritualistic nature. Little is heard of the town through out history, no mention of it for example is to be found of it in the Doomsday book. Although the Romans do refer to the town as Aquam (possibly a corruption of Aqua), and thus its exclusion from the Doomsday book is inexplicable. there are no roman ruins in the area, with the exception of an old (and now submerged fort. One reason for this is that the area is largely marsh, and unsuitable for farming.
The town is next mentioned during the great witch-hunt of 1588. According to ecclesiastical records 'a greyt meny persons were burnt in the market sqare of the village of Arkam, in the countie of Essex. This for divers crimes of withchery and various black arts'. The town is mentioned again during Mathew Hopkins witch-hunt of 1645. When apparently the whole village was destroyed, although legend has it that a few survivors fled to the Americas and that John Stern, as associate of Hopkins, followed them there.
After this date the village of Arkaham seems to have achieved some degree of normality for about 100 years. But around 1755 it seems that there was some kind of witch craze in the area, although centred on Canewdon, Arkaham seems to have been involved in some unspecified way and there are reports that the local lord of the manner was involved in a skirmish with unidentified miscreants. After this point the villages fortunes go down hill, apart from a brief attempt by an East end philanthropist to set the village up as a sea side resort for his workers, with special permission from the army (it is from this date that -on-Sea was added to the name). This did not last long and the village soon resorted to its old ways. It has remained an inbred and Backward place ether since. The plan for an extension of the railway line that runs through Shoebury was also shelved.
In 1940 it was decided to set up unit of home guard to guard the western part of Foulness, were the village sits, it was however found that none of the locals were fit even for the less then rigorous criteria of the home guard. This is why the players find themselves within the village, drafted in from outside. Strangers, under suspicion. the players arrive during the winter of 1940.
After a few days some NPC members of the platoon will be hideously killed guarding the end of the old pier. Shots are heard around midnight , after a boat is found (the locals seem to all have disappears), the players reach the pier and find there comrades ripped to shreds (1d3 SAN loss). All of the rifles have been smashed. The players will be assigned the task of investigating the murder.
Of course the truth is that Nazi agents are not involved, it is the DEEP ONES. The village has been interbreeding with them for as long as 'people' have lived there. The murdered members of the platoon witnessed a midnight orgy on the mud flats about 3 miles out to sea. In panic they opened fire and thus made their presence known, and also caused some degree of annoyance.
The players will have to go out to the mud flats and confront the Deep ones in their lair, within an old Spanish wreak.
To view a description of a named building click on it.
The Cockle shed
the main industry of the cockaling, and a little farming. this
building is the main storage shed for the cockles, it reeks of
fish. It is as a mundane building as it sounds. Just to the north (along the coast) is a small landing pier. There will be three fishing boats tied to it.
The Church hall
This is the players HQ and training hall, it was built during
the 1870`s as part of the regeneration program, it is now derelict.
The Vicarage
This was built around 1750, and was heavily extended and re-built
during the 1870`s. It now serves as the players billet (after
some restoration and tiding up). In the library the players will
find the Reverend Browns Diary . If they
make a libary use roll they will find the Reverends incomplete
translation of the Cthat Aquadingen (with some notes on the Necronomicon)
Cthulu mythos +3% San loss -1d3 no spells. with another the copy
of Unsprelachten Culten. In a desk they find some old letters.
St Stephens Church
The chuirch was built in 561, and dedicated to the Virin Mary parts of the edifice date from the Saxon period including
the central nave of the church. The main body of the church is medieval dating from around 1160
when the church was extensively enlarged by Sir Walter Fitzrayleigh,
. The graveyard seems to be on examination
some what erratically used, gravestone all comes in blocks of
dates,
Old father Dagon
A Pre-Human standing stone, carved out of green soapstone of indeterminate
origin. Consulting any work of Archaeology will tell the players
the stone is a Neolithic Mnier, possibly from France. It is in
fact 250 million years old, and is the summit of a temple spire
that sits in the middle of a vast pre-human city deep in the clay
of the Thames valley. The stone is now used (and has been for
2000 years) by the local Dagon cult for worship, and of course
beastly excesses of depravity and human sacrifice (cannibalism
would also be involved but the locals are only partly human).
Despite its green base colour, it has an odd and slightly disturbing
rusty hue to it, the blood of untold victims has been soaked into
the rock. the local head of the Dagon cult is Harry Marsh, the
local ARP warden, His identity is hidden by a Cthulu mask (1d3/1d2
San loss for seeing him in it at night). The cultists will flee
if interrupted, but will fight to the death to protect Harry.
Pickman cottages
These run down Elizabethan cottages (now little more then hovels)
house them more degenerate inhabitants, those on the verge of
'coming of age' in local parlance. No.4 has a direct link to the
sea via an underground tunnel. The dwellers of theses cottages
will not welcome intrusion, and indeed will be most aggressive.
Marshes Groceries
This shop is owned by Harry Marsh. Harry is the High Priest of
the local dagon cult. He is also the head ARP warden. He is for
obvious reasons deeply hostile to the characters, and will hinder
all their plans. Due to his position in ARP he can, and should,
be a major problom. He lives ubove the shop, and a search of his
flat will produce. He is olny midley changed, No chi9n and bug
eyes. He will try to flee if confronted, if he can`t he will join
his masters (in Death).
The Watley farm
This run down farm is owned by Oliver Wately. He lives here with
his two daughters, Joyce and Dawn. He 'enjoys' an Incestuous relationship
with both, and in fact Dawn is pregnant by him.n None of the family
have significant Deep One stock in them, and are the best looking
people in the village, and quite quite mad. If any of the family
get drunk they will talk about the 'festivals' that occurs on
the mud flats. They will also mention the fact that most of the
locals...
'as doins wah tham at liv ov shaw'
Any attempt at force will be met by a shotgun, from each and any of the family, Oliver will react the same to any attempts to have 'liaisons' with either of the daughters, the two girls are less ill disposed to such endeavours, and indeed will provide quite a lot of encouragement.
The Red Man Pub
This is the only place in town not owned by a local, Alister Fraiser.
He is an old member of the garrison who married a local girl,
and upon retiring from the army (2/Borderers) bought the red Man
and moved in. About 15 years age his wife (Marsha Fraiser, nee
marsh) 'changed', and this sent poor Alister over the edge. none
the less he is the most normal person in the town, and has nothing
to do with the cultists. He will even in his own way help. He
knows of the wreak buried in the sand bank, and of the deep one
colony (his wife is a member of that community). He will defend
himself and even his wife, but will not aid any one else in the
village. His wife no longer visits him, and in fact has a new
'local' lover. If Alister finds this out he will kill himself.
the pub sign shows the red man form of Nyralethotep(1d2/0 San
loss).
Our Mother Dagon school
The school was set up in the 1870`s as part of the village regeneration
plan. it is the only school in the village and functions as both
a primary school, and a secondary school. It is shabby and dilapidated
with an unsavoury odour of rotting fish. Its only member of staff
is a deep one (as has been the case for 60 years). The school
has an incomplete copy of the Cthat Aquadingion ( Cthulu mythos:
+5%, San loss:-1d6, No spells). Mrs will fight to protect any
threats to the children, otherwise she will keep a low profile.
Mrs uses normal? deep one stats.
Fisherman pub
The Fisherman is run by Collin Marsh, younger brother of Marsha
Alisters wife. he still sees her on occasions, and knows about
her new love. he is partially changed and looks somewhat like
a large frog. he is a cowered by nature, and a black magician
by inclination. he knows who is the head of the local Dagon cult
(Warden Marsh), and will spill all if threatened or bribed (as
well as a deep one, he is also a weasel). he will run if attacked,
or beg for mercy depending on his situation. he is a regular participant
in the orgies a has a particular liking for 'YOUNG' girls. He
has a Latin copy of the Lesser key of Solomon, a dog eared and
incomplete copy of Unsplechen culten (Cthulu mythos: +3% San loss:
-1d4 no spells) And a few hand written pages from an Arabic Necronomicon
( so incomplete as to be useless, but it will take a months work
and 1d2 San loss to find this out). The pubs sigh shows Dagon
with trident rising from the sea, with the village in the fore
ground , it is to scale. (1d2/0 San loss)
The Esplanade
This is the only paved road in town, and was partially finished
in 1873 (it was supposed to go all the way to Fisherman's point,
and then round the coast to the Cockle shed.It has five main buildings
that stand on it.
The Marsh store, Owned by Wilber Marsh, his recent change
means it is run by his sister, and wife Tubs. it is frequented
by the villages 'visitors' and strangers will not be welcome.
He still lives in the rooms at the top of the shop, and will intervene
if there is any trouble in the shop. the store also holds the
local post office counter. As well as the villages only telephone.
The Golden Nugget Amusement arcade, run and owned by Bruce
waitely. He is not too degenerate, but is on the way, his wife,
Lizi, is in about the same state of change. It is closed in the
summer, as the main customers are the visitors for the winter
festival.
The Sea View Guest house, the proprietor is a Mr Basil
marsh, and is the co-owner with his wife Sybil. He is Not quite
right in the head, and has began his change. his wife is well
on the way to bacthian glory. The guest house is full at the moment,
with those waiting for the festival, and their chance to join
their cousins in the sea. there are 10 guests at present.
The Five Crabs cafe, this is run by Alice Marsh, she is
a widow, and although quite amphibian now refuses to leave the
cafe. She has no idea what has happened to her, she still believes
she's human. She is quite friendly, and totally senile, and will
talk incessantly about her brother Albert (he left the village
and joined the army, he was killed at Balaclava). She will not
fight. She will talk about those nice visitors from overseas (the
Deep ones) as if they a normal, but foreign and therefore dirty.
Empty shop this used to be a gift shop, but Deep Ones don`t
tend to buy 'kiss me Quick hats', or saucy post cards. The shop
has been empty fot 20 years. It is used to house 'guest' (strangers),
it is currently empty.
The novelty rock emporium
Owned by Mrs Emily Watley. This mainly sells rock, moulded into
obscene, and gibbers shapes. On a luck roll she will have in the
store rock in the shape of Dagon, or Cthulu (1d4/1d2 san loss).
Emily will fight if threatened, and will try to flee into the
sea. She is the chief priestess of the villages Dagon cult.
Jolly roger ice cream parlour
This has been shut down since the start of the war, and is used
by the local ARP as an airraid post. Within the building is a
calendar showing that the low tide times that coincide with a
new moon are marked off, the next such date is tomorrow. The owner
is currently living at No.3 Pickman cottages. One Nellie marsh.
The pier
Built in 1873, it was abandoned within 50 years for unspecified
reasons, Although tourists from London had stooped coming around
the 1890`s. It is now derelict, and has been split in two by storm
damage. There are three buildings on the pier, The old arcade
(there are signs of occupation, and use), the refreshments shop
(there is food and drink here), and some covered seating). This
is used by the community to meet with the deep ones prior to the
festival, they also leave offerings here. if the players choose
to spend the night here they will first have there boat sunk (or
the plank removed), and then will be attacked by three deep ones
armed with spears. The Deep ones will come up below the pier and
climb up the side. the players should have little warning.
3rd July
1873
This day I arrived at my new parish, Arkaham a small village on
the island of Foulness. I lookforward to my new assignment, after
Africa.
5th July
1873
This is a strange village. Today I held my first service. Apart
from a small number of the most degenerate individuals I have
ever seen, watching the church I saw not a soul the whole day,
my church was empty.
8th July
1873
Last night I had a most troubled sleep, I kept thinking that I
heard the sounds of singing and dancing. The sounds or so I thought
came from the churchyard.
15th
July 1873
Last night I had the same troubled sleep as last week, this time
though I thought I heard a child's cry, it sounded in such fear
and pain. I fear my mind may be going, perhaps my mission duty
effected me more then I thought.
5th August
1873
Last night the same dreams as each Sunday night since I have moved
here, but this morning I found signs of a fire, and fresh blood
on the menier in the churchyard. I fear that I may not be wholly
dreaming. I shall keep a watch next Sunday and see what transpires.
11th
August 1873
I have prepared my watch for tonight, and I have procured a camera
as well, gods will that I have success tonight
12th
August 1873
God that I had not seen the evil that exists in this village,
They performed orgiastic rights, here in this very church yard.
This I do not believe is the same as the modern form of witchcraft,
this is older I believe, more base, and vile, not just play-acting.
I have sent the Photographs the a friend to develop. There was
something of which I am unsure, but it disturbs me much.
21st
August 1873
Today I received the Photographs I took over a week ago. They
are none to clear, yet there are vague hints of gross deformities?
within some of the participants, my friend has seen some things
within the pictures, which he seems to draw some significance
from, he has sent me a Photostatted book, Unsprelachen Culten,
I believe. It appears to be in German.
4th September
1873
I refuse to believe what that blasphemous book says, Yes there
are similarities, but this is not Von Juntzies Germany, this is
England, its the 20th Century. No I will not accept this book
as anything but myths and lies. The ceremonies grow in intensity
I will not call in the authorities yet, I shall try to convince
the rest of the village of what is occurring.
23rd
September 1873
the whole village is involved in this vile cult, I now know this
to be true. I confronted Marsh last night, he just laughed at
me and told me to leave alone things that are beyond me. I will
have to fight this alone, I must show these misguided fools the
love and strength of the lord, our lord Jesus.
24th
September 1873
I received from my friend a package, another Photostatted book,
this one is called the Cthat Aquadingon. It seems to be in Latin,
I shall endeavour to translate it. But I fear it will also be
full of lies and half truths.
4th November
1873
What I have translated cannot be true, no one can be that vile
and debauched. I will go the British library to consult some works
of which I have heard. If this is true then I will have to inform
the authorities I cannot fight such evil alone.
12th
November 1873
I have just returned from the British library, there I consulted
the Necornomicon, the Dee edition. It seems to confirm both Von
Juntz and the Cthat, but this cannot be especially not the more
obscene suggestions. I have written to the Bishop in Chelmsford.
I have informed him of my fears, my belief that a witch cult exists
in this village.
15th
November 1873
I have received orders from the bishop to take a holiday, he believes
I have been overworking. I also believe that my mail has been
tampered with. I cannot prove this, and fear that paranoia may
be setting in. 15th January 1874
I have returned from to the parish after a two month climbing
holiday in the Alps. There have been 4 caretaker priests in my
absence. all have left abruptly, I now believe that this goes
beyond this small village I met a Mr Armatage of new England,
and his young son Henry, Armatage snr spoke at great length about
the legends of his New England home, Arkaham, Massachusetts. I
engaged in a very long conversation about the history of his town.
It seems it was established in the 17th C by settlers from Essex,
perhaps from my own parish. He too knows of a cult such as exists
in my parish, a worldwide cult. this cult seems to date back to
ancient summeria, and the worship of the fish god Dagon.
4th march
1874
I saw something out to sea, on the sandbanks. dancing? the deformities
were even worse stooped over and their gate god I must keep calm.
12th
April 1874
I visited the cottages opposite the church a few days ago, I cannot
say what opened the door to me but it was not a man, more a frog,
or some other form of amphibian. I ran screaming and fell into
stupor that i have only just awoken from, how much of those accursed
books is true, no not that no one is that vile.
After this the diary continues in much the same vain until. His hand writing deteriating visibly.
1st
January 1875
oh god they do it is all true, i cannot bear it any longer they
bread with them i saw last night their meeting on the sand bank,
the orgy. Human sacrifice, they know i know i am prisoner, they
will come for me soon god help me is there a god i don't know
any more.
This is the last entry, reverend Brown drowned the next day, he fell of the pier!.
My Dear John
How are you I did not see you at the last reunion. I have developed your photographs, and belive you may have stubled upon a very GREAT, and OLD evil. Find enclosd a copy of Von Juntz`s book, it contains details of a number of very ancient, possibly pre-human cults centerd around the 'Old Ones'. I belive that the figure to the left of the monolth waers a mask in the likeness of an ancient god, whose name is I belive Kat`oola. Mark is well and has taken ovr the diocese of Whitby. Joan is fine, although her gouat is playing the devil with her. Thomas has passed out of christ church with honours and intends to take up employment with the civil service.
yours as ever
A~M&th�w$
A. H. Mathews (Rev).
My Dear John
I have done some research into the subject of the Dagon cult. it seems to be centered in Polynesia, but of this i am not sure. i have found an old book writen in 755 it seems in Whitby, by a monk whose identity i do not know. Mark found it amoung some of the old abby artifacts It seems to be a latin copy of an even older work called the Cthat Aquadingion, It seems to be some kind of treatise, or bible of the Cult. But includes details on other 'Old Ones', such as cthulu, I have seen that name in the Necronomicon. there is a copy in the British museam, i can arange a viewing for you.
A~M&th�w$
A. H. Mathews (Rev).
My Dear Rev Brown
I have done some research into the subject we disused during your recent trip to the Alps, I live not far from Miskantonic university. this has a most excelent libary, there i consulted a number of rare, and ill regarded books. Dagon it seems is a servent of Cthalu, or catula, and is married to Hydra( this is odd and may mean there is a strong Dagon cult in the caucasus). There is a cult here in New England centerd around the coastal town of Insmouth (this seems common with this particular cult. Odd that both of the cult seem to consist of members of the Marsh family, it seems almost incestuos does it not?. The inhabitants of the town of Insmouth have married into a paticulaly odious polynesian clan.
You Obt Servnt
Ntarmt&g�
N. T. Armatage.
My Dear Rev Brown
With regards to....and your...
Portion missing.
I enclose a portion of Tcits refering to the hamlet of Aquam, I hoever fell you may need a rest...P...A g...
Portion to damaged to read.
Cthulu by searchlight.
© Slater MMI