Kingsport looms through the mists with the approach of Dreams of Kingsport from EDGE Studio. Who knows what fantastical mysteries might await the unwary upon those dreaming shores, but the ever-diligent Arkham Historical Society are ready to assist visitors, with illustrated guides to some of Kingsport’s most famed locations, in the form of new entries for their esteemed Welcome to Arkham…
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The Lady’s Sanctuary
Encompassing over four hundred acres of woodlands, rocky cliffs, and waterways, The Lady’s Sanctuary near the South Shore cliffs provides refuge for those seeking a reprieve from the Kingsport bustle. The Sanctuary’s owner, known mysteriously as Lady, is well known for valuing her privacy, and charges no admission for the rare visitor to walk the Sanctuary’s rich grounds, even encouraging viewing of and interaction with the various species roaming her property. A visitor may even be accosted by Teyve, an enormous iguana who enjoys (and sometimes demands) head pets and snacks.
The reptile and raptor Sanctuary is divided into three primary habitats where unique and sometimes exotic species can be spotted: the Crags alongside the South Shore cliffs teem with nesting sea turtles, the pools and channels of the expansive estuary comprising the Vernal Pits are home to alligators and crocodiles, and a massive elm and maple forest called the Great Green swells with all manner of birds and amphibians. New England visitors might ponder how such exotic creatures survive the cold winters and thick Kingsport mists (and whether they pose any threat to Kingsport tourists during the warmer months), but Sanctuary staff invest significant resources in monitoring these animals, even retrieving them as autumn sets in and caring for them throughout the winter season. However, guests should exhibit restraint when approaching the large barns situated on the property as these are strictly off-limits and are rumored to be specialized recovery habitats for fragile animals.
The Lady herself remains a beloved if enigmatic and distant figure in Kingsport society. Her personal affinity for reptiles is exhibited by the pet lizard perpetually resting around her neck. Reports of an ancient, lumbering tortoise and even a striking plumed hawk wandering her home solidify this odd reputation. While Kingsport values the privacy of its high-ranking citizens, one cannot look past the fact that the Lady employs notoriously tight-lipped and eccentric staff who all favor heavy attire, even in the warmest seasons. Some, including Nora Freeman of the Fuller Animal Hospital, simply attest that fashion must take a seat when working with such exotic creatures, and safety is of the highest order for both caretaker and animal. An odd and rather somber rumor alleges that the Lady and even some of her employees must be refugees from long-distant wars trying to make a new start in the United States, determined to hide any evidence of horrific, if healed, wounds. But most polite folk simply acquiesce to her and her staff’s eccentricities, let her enjoy her weekly tea at Central Hill’s delightful Victoria Café, and go back to enjoying the beauteous grounds of the Lady’s Sanctuary and the peace it provides.
Text by A.P. Klosky.
Explore the Lady’s Sanctuary and the mist-wreathed mysteries of Kingsport in Dreams of Kingsport, the new setting guide for Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game. Learn more here.
