The Miskatonic University Sahara Expedition

In 1932 Prof. Jeremiah Jefferson made an amazing discovery in the archives at Miskatonic University.  Somehow, a series of ancient tablets had been stored away for years without being entered into the official catalog.  They were written in an unrecognizable language similar to cuneiform, but bore one identifiable element- the seal of Zerzura, the legendary white city hidden in the sands of the Sahara desert.

After months of effort, Jefferson was finally able to translate some of the tablets.  Sure that he had the key to finding the fabled treasures of the lost city, he hurriedly put together an expedition to the desert using his own funds.  A team of experts from Miskatonic soon departed for Africa.  Once there, they hired local guides and traveled to Douz, the "gateway to the Sahara".  From there they headed into the desert... where they vanished into thin air.

One survivor, a local worker hired by the name of Feisal, was eventually found, injured and babbling incoherently.  While his physical injuries healed, his mental condition never improved.  He's hospitalized in Tunisia to this day.

Now, it's 1934.  Miskatonic University has partnered with the Royal Geographic Society, the W. Isynwill Foundation, and the French Foreign Legion to launch the Sutton-Gudrian expedition to the Sahara.  Their task is to follow in the footsteps of Jefferson's party.  Hopefully, they'll discover not only their fate, but the city of Zerzura itself.

That's the set-up for Chaos League's "Sahara Expedition" LARP event, which has been run eight times in the actual Sahara.  By all appearances, it was absolutely insane, and I mean that in the best way.  Beyond the players actually traveling to Tunisia to take part, the level of costuming and environmental immersiveness is mind-boggling.  Beyond the gallery linked above, check out the full player guide for a look at the level of detail.

 

 

Miskatonic University ID

Morsoth brings us this Miskatonic University ID card.  It's based on the original version used in 1990's "Bride of Re-Animator"from director Brian Yuzna.

 

Miskatonic University Abyssinian Expedition

While the missions to Antarctica and Australia get most of the attention, Miskatonic University mounted dozens of expeditions to locations around the world.  Andrea Bonazzi brings us this photograph of two intriguing figures discovered during the 1926 Abyssinian project.

 

The Shoggoth Slate

"Known to have once been in the possession of the Esoteric Order of the Dagon, the so called "Shoggoth Slate" was found washed ashore near a rotting wharf in Innsmouth, Massachusetts. While never officially sighted, the creatures known as "Shoggoths" have been rumored to inhabit underground tunnels below the town of Innsmouth. Shoggoths have also been linked to a mystery-shrouded city reported to exist somewhere in the icy mountain ranges of Antarctica. Analysis of Item #752-S13 has revealed a unique make-up of both slate and basalt adjacent properties, something never recorded before."

Jason McKittrick is back with another item from the Miskatonic University Special Collections vault.  His latest is the "Shoggoth Slate", featuring a fantastic sculpt mounted inside a presentation shadow box.  Wonderful work, as always.

 

The Miskatonic University Tunguska Expedition

Todd Thyberg brings us a preview of "The Miskatonic Papers", his multi-media project recapping the ill-fated Miskatonic University Tunguska expedition.  The Kickstarter goes live today at noon.

The Miskatonic Papers

What really happened to the Miskatonic University Tunguska expedition?  We'll find out when Todd Thyberg releases "The Miskatonic Papers".  He's been posting a steady stream of prop documents and artifacts from the project.  I'm looking forward to the final product.

Relic of the Elder Things

Nat Wiland returns to our pages with this Elder Thing relic recovered during the Miskatonic University expedition to Antarctica. 

More Miskatonic Ephemera

Mike Jenkins has been on a roll with his excellent Miskatonic paper props.  He's now added a few more items, including fraternity membership cards.  One thing I really like about his work that isn't visible in a photograph is the variety of paper stocks he uses.  Prop documents are far more believable when they have a mix of paper weights and finishes.

Special Collections

I started working on this project almost a year ago, and I'm finally in the home stretch.

You know what's held me up?  Bags.  I wanted a cool Miskatonic specimen bag for the Cthulhu tokens, but every kind I ordered ended up being far too sheer.  After the third time I just went ahead and ordered...wait for it...real specimen bags. 

I'll have more to show after Labor Day weekend, but I think you're going to like it.

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

A kind reader asked if I was involved with an "interactive e-book" version of "At the Mountains of Madness".  Much to my surprise, I am.  The creators have lifted both my Miskatonic University seal and Miskatonic Antarctic Expedition logo.  I'm not sure if they're actually used in the book, but they're definitely offering premiums using both.

What I really dislike about situations like this is the pointlessness of the theft.  Non-commercial projects are free to use anything here for a simple credit.  I'm also extremely loose with commercial licensing.  I think I've only "charged" for use twice, and in both cases I just wanted a copy of the finished project. 

Update: My thanks for all the kind words.  The creators of the Ebook have removed all the infringing material from their Kickstarter page.

The Tablet

Jason McKittrick has his latest offering from Nyarlathotep's Bazaar up- the Miskatonic University Archaeological Dig Kit.

- The “Dream Tablet”- A solid plaster block bearing the tentacled head of Cthulhu above an alien inscription and a star chart. An unknown “dream inducing” artifact is said to be contained inside. Comes with a wooden pick and hogs hair brush for artifact removal. (Measures 4” x 3” x 2”)
- Miskatonic University Department of Archaeology Notebook – A pocket-sized notebook for recording the process of excavating the “Dream Tablet”. Colleagues will want to read about your descent into madness! (Measures 3.5” x 5.5”)
- A page from the infamous “Cultes des Ghoules” showing an entry referring to the “Dream Tablet”. (Measures 8” x 10.5”)
-A charcoal rubbing of the “Dream Tablet” done by Dr. Ward. (Measures 4” x 5.5”)
- Catalog letter from the Miskatonic University Department of Archaeology pertaining to the Dr. Anna Ward and the “Dream Tablet” (Measures 8.5 “x 11”)
- Handwritten letters from Dr. Anna Ward after her committal to Arkham Sanitarium. The decline of her mental faculties can be glimpsed upon the page. (Measures 5” x 7” each)

I'm an unabashed fan of Mr. McKittrick's work.  He's produced some amazing statuettes and artifacts.  That said, I really like how this project adds a narrative element to the item in question.  One of my long-running interests has been the use of props as epistolary devices.  I dearly love a well done Cthulhu idol or intriguing amulet, but a singular item exists in a vacuum.  Giving it a history and context, telling its story with supplementary items and documents, turns an objet d'art into a genuinely interactive experience.

Lights! Camera!

My version of the Miskatonic University seal is a very, very small part of the indy film "Intersect".



Far more impressive than my tiny contribution is the incredible "Event Chamber" set from the film.



I suspect the combination of visionary scientists at Miskatonic University and a blast-proof experimental chamber doesn't bode well for the ultimate fate of the characters.

Miskatonic University Bookplates

Jennifer Musser brings us these Miskatonic University bookplates. There are two separate PDF files, one with four large plates and one with eight smaller ones. They can be printed blank and filled out by hand or customized using the embedded fields in the PDF.

Miskatonic Binder

Tom, a researcher in ancient Chinese mystic texts, sent over a few snapshots of his custom made Miskatonic University binder. It measures 6" by 9" and features reinforced corners, internal pockets, and a cover design hand tooled by Taylormade Leather.

Miskatonic Steam and Gas Lab

From 1926, a view from the upper deck of the Miskatonic University Steam and Gas Lab. It was here that the lightweight drilling apparatus used by the Miskatonic Antarctic expedition of 1930 was developed by Professor Frank Pabodie.



This is one of those corners of Miskatonic that never gets mentioned directly in Lovecraft's stories, but surely existed. The engineering department of an Ivy League level school would have been filled with state of the art technology and a non-trivial amount of manufacturing equipment. Given Lovecraft's own predilections it's not surprising that his protagonists, not to mention those of his successors, seem to be overwhelmingly composed of librarians and historians. It does seem unusual that the considerable engineering talent at the school, capable of producing innovations like Pabodie's portable drill and the Tillinghast Illuminator, get such short shrift.

Miskatonic University Update

Despite the lack of updates about the Miskatonic University project I haven't been totally slacking off. The material for the actual prop package has been effectively done for weeks, but I wanted enough reference on hand that I would have prop documents and photographs to offer up during the fund raising process. Now that I have a goodly stash things should be ready to go by the end of this week.

Miskatonic Specimen Label

One can never have too many specimen labels. This 2" by 3" version has more of a late 1800s/early 1900s feel. I refrained from adding decorative elements because of the already small size. Just click through for the full sized image.

Miskatonic Class of '25

A selection of yearbook portraits for the Miskatonic University class of '25.









I've started scanning material from some vintage college yearbooks for the Miskatonic University project. It's interesting to see the things that haven't really changed in close to a century, like the endless pages of student portraits and group shots of every sports team imaginable. Then you run across something like the Engineering Society's annual minstrel show in blackface, or the Ku Klux Klan honor society at a respected University, and you realize it was a totally different world.

Miskatonic Swim Team

The Miskatonic University Varsity swim team, from the 1925 yearbook. And, yes, one of the top swimmers is from Innsmouth. Just click through for the high resolution version.



This is a retouched photo from one of the vintage yearbooks I've been collecting for the Miskatonic University project. It's not quite ready to launch yet, but it's getting close. In addition to the items that have already been discussed I want to include a goodly amount of vintage-style collegiate ephemera in the package.

Miskatonic University Student ID

This is a first pass at putting together a Miskatonic University student ID. Most of the actual work went in to trying to reproduce the look of vintage printing consistently, which came out pretty well. It's not quite where I want it to be yet, but it's a solid start. Just click through for the high resolution versions.