Arkham Herald Announcement

The Gauntlet is very excited to announce Arkham Herald, a new tabletop roleplaying game coming in 2023! 

What's Arkham Herald about?

Arkham Herald is a tabletop roleplaying game about a group of investigative journalists in the politically charged world of 1970s Arkham, Massachusetts. These reporters chase conspiracies, cover-ups, corruption, and murder in the city, and conduct investigations to drag these uncomfortable truths screaming into the light of day. Ripped from the headlines of 1970s America, the paranoid thrillers of the time, and works of cosmic horror, there is often some underlying occult or monstrous aspect to the stories they investigate.

Through their investigations, the reporters learn of an even greater threat: a powerful secret cult is scheming to bring about the resurrection of one of the Great Old Ones, monstrous alien deities that ruled the Earth in eons past. The reporters will ultimately be forced to reckon with this cult—whose members may include presidential candidates, high ranking government agents, business magnates, serial killers, and their own friends and families—in order to save America—and the world—from destruction.

Arkham Herald is inspired by cosmic horror literature, the paranoid and political thrillers of the '70s such as The Parallax View, The Conversation, and All The President's Men, as well as their modern equivalents such as Zodiac, Mindhunter, and Spotlight—and of course by the real life events that inspired them, such as the Watergate scandal, the rise and pop culture enshrinement of the American serial killer, and the assassinations of political and civil rights figures of the time.

Arkham Herald is Powered by the Apocalypse, meaning its mechanics are inspired, in part, by Vincent and Meguey Baker's Apocalypse World. It is also Carved from Brindlewood, meaning the mystery mechanics and procedures are inspired by Brindlewood Bay and The Between.

Who are the creators?

Arkham Herald is by game designer Oli Jeffery, with additional contributions from Jason Cordova, Michael Van Vleet, Gabriel Robinson, and others. The artwork is by renowned digital artist Eduardo Valdés-Hevia. Arkham Herald is a co-publication of The Gauntlet and Sinister Beard Games. 

When (and where) will it be available?

The digital release of Arkham Herald will be launching on The Gauntlet Patreon in early 2023 (we're aiming for February/March release). It will be available on DriveThruRPG after two months of Patreon exclusivity. The digital release will include the core rules, 6 playbooks, 8 stories, and 1 Great Old One conspiracy. We will support the game with regular releases—including new playbooks, stories, and conspiracies—on The Gauntlet Patreon. 

Join us on Discord!

Join us on The Gauntlet Discord to discuss Arkham Herald and all our other games. You can find that here.