InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "*I milked it myself!*"

Welcome, welcome, welcome!
The building is old. That much is clear. Well, as old as anything in America can be. On the outside it looks like your run of the mill, somewhat overpriced hotel. Glass doors and curtained windows from above and below. A giant golden eagle with its wings spread stares you down from its perch above the alcove. There’s this funny, itchy feeling. Maybe it feels like you are being watched despite not seeing any eyes. Maybe there’s a bit of electricity on your skin, humming from the inside out, but that could just be excitement, right? Others are starting to arrive, one by one, two by two and in groups.

So step forward. Take a deep breath. Open the doors to Arkham Hotel, established 1899.





The Lobby
The Lobby is brightly lit. Old fashioned, Victorian green carpeting and burgundy seating. Plenty of places to sit, rest, maybe check your make up or adjust your evening attire. There is a gentleman at the front desk. His name tag reads Jack. His hair is slicked back, and he’s a touch too long and skinny. He’ll direct you wherever you need to go. His one request is you stay out of the upstairs halls. The hotel’s occupants don’t like to be disturbed.

It’s largely quiet save for the faint tones of classical music coming from hidden speakers.

If you do decide to stay in the stillness of the lobby, you may notice the paintings seem to follow you no matter which way you walk. When the sparsely seen staff does make an appearance, they watch you, silent, and slow. There are no guests to be seen, and it must be assumed it’s because of the party, right? Now there is the Bellhop and he moves like slowed clockwork. He enters the ivory elevator and is gone. Only to come back through the back doors with the same luggage in tow, every fifteen minutes on the dot.

But it is a nice lobby–if you can overlook these few things. Have a drink, make a phone call, or sit and chat with your date–if you don’t mind Jack eavesdropping now and again.





The Ballroom
Welcome Dunwich Prom Hangs in a vintage cloth banner above the ballroom. It looks worn, the metallic lettering a bit faded, as if it had been used many times before.

The ballroom is large. It is lit up. Arched windows and doors aglow. The tables are set, open and inviting. There is food everywhere for any palette. Drinks are flowing. Nearly anything you could want can be received at the open bar, where the grinning tender will inform you everything is complimentary for the night. Waiters come and go, silently gathering and replenishing plates.

Candles glow on the walls. It is like stepping back in time, extravagant and humming with static and life. Fairy lights twinkle above in a canopy of silver and gold balloons. Some people catch a whiff of smoke now and then, and when asking the staff, they smile and tell you it’s simply the candles. A reasonable explanation of course.

The dance floor is open, large, marble, and large enough for the whole crowd. Music continually plays; fast, slow, romantic, upbeat, nearly every era and genre to get you on the floor. Some of the songs may seem oddly familiar, even if you never heard them before and others may give you a full memory of a time before. Interesting…

There is a stage nearby littered with a backdrop of glittering stars, hugged by crushed velvet curtains, where Two crowns sit in wait.

If you decide you do need some fresh air? You can always step outside to the gardens.






The Gardens
If you step outside you will see a stone stairway enveloped by greenery from side to side. Head up and there is a pretty little garden. Some iron chairs and tables. Lit candles. Pitchers of refreshment to the side. There’s even the sound of stringed instruments playing, but not a band in sight. Must be some hidden bluetooth speakers.

There are a few statues here and there. Upon closer inspection it would seem like a few of them look like they’re…crying. But that can’t be, it’s clearly just condensation, after all they do look fairly old.

Occasionally you may hear laughter and chatter coming from the hedges, sounds of clinking glasses, like more party attendees are just beyond, but when you approach it goes silent, and the music is all there is.

…also, was that statue in that spot before or did it seem to come a bit closer? Weird. It must be a trick of the shadows.

Besides that, there’s nothing particularly odd about this garden, and it really is a better place to cool down than the lobby, right?





The Halls
Now, Jack did warn you to stay out of the upstairs halls. But are you the curious sort? Do you want some more privacy for you and your date and hope a room is available? Or do you simply want to see what’s upstairs, since the rest of the building is somewhat…off. Did you sneak up the stairs, did you hop on the elevator when he wasn’t looking? If you did, you’d find yourself in the guest halls. Or hall, by the look of it. The elevator and stairs meet at the end and when you enter–there is a very long hall stretched out before you. Despite the lights from above it is shadowed and eerily silent.

Maybe you take that as a sign to head right back down where you came from and head back to the party. Or, maybe, you’re even more curious now–or it doesn’t even bother you. If you head down the hall, all the doors are numbered in golden plating. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5–all the way to room 13. Most doors have “do not disturb” hanging from the knobs, in red, hand painted signage. Should you try to open a door without a sign, you will find it is locked. So much for some intimate privacy.

At the end of the hall is a painting of a girl with her back turned to the viewer, staring at her own wall of paintings. It’s unsigned, but it is dated 1900. So a year after the hotel was built. The label reads “Amelia Arkham, aged 18.” Interesting.





OOC SPECIAL THANKS AND NOTE!
Special thanks to Jackie for the code, to mods Becca and Dawn for guidance, and to all of the players (you know who you are!) who offered suggestions, support, and encouragement for my first gamewide plot! You're the best! And of course thank you to the entire game for your endless enthusiasm--I hope you have fun and enjoy! I can't wait to see what you come up with!


Please do not hold more than one character per player for volunteer slots and please do not hold characters for other players, thank you!