Miskatonic University's Barrier...and you!
Hello my lovelies! As we've been fielding the same questions over and over about the barrier (mostly my fault for trying to describe it during RP rather than making note of it elsewhere...), it's obvious that we need to have a small Barrier Tutorial for everyone!
The Barrier 101
Miskatonic University is partially surrounded by a barrier that cannot be seen unless touched either inside or outside. When this happens, yellowish-gold crackles appear in a shock wave surrounding the point of impact. This is non-lethal and won't hurt anyone but a character will experience a tingle if touched. Don't think of the barrier as a dome, but as a gas cloud extending over part of the campus. It is irregular. It has no definable shape. For the people that were here from the start, when the campus was attacked in the rain on opening day, they may recall that rain DOES actually seem to fall through the barrier. Huh.
How does it work?
The barrier is controlled by an alien/ancient/artifacty device in the bell tower. It is not exactly "guarded" but there are security personnel that wander around and lookouts posted. There's a BIG SIGN that says not to meddle with the device (which looks a lot like the pillar/sphere/three finger indentation thingie from the end of Total Recall). Go ahead and touch it. Nothing will happen. Honest. We don't want the barrier coming down while there's a wild Shoggoth running around outside in Arkham, now do we? Not yet. There are only a few people that can lower the barrier (or create holes in it around the gate area to let the Recovery Team in and out). No character is currently able to. But have fun trying.
How do you pass through it?
No character, regardless of ability to teleport, walk through walls, turn into air (or even water), can pass through the barrier when it is up (I'm looking at you, super heroes, gods, and angels!). Why? That's one of the secrets of Miskatonic and Arkham itself. It's also a plot device to keep everyone on campus save for a few journeys into the city itself (of which there will be much much more in the coming months).
What parts of the campus are covered by the barrier?
In the settings link, you'll find the most up to date information of what is protected by the barrier. If your character wants to visit a blocked off building inside the barrier, contact a mod. For "reasons."
Protected spaces inside the barrier:
1. The School of Medicine
2. Mortuary (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
3. School of Liberal Arts (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
4. School of Languages (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
5. Staff Housing (Atwood, Armitage, Rice, Morgan)
6. Field House
7. Gatekeeper's House
8. Greenhouse
9. Science Hall
10. Science Annex (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
12. Library
13. Bell Tower
Not Protected by the barrier:
Any building east of the bell tower on the map....which I will be updating "soon".
FAQ:
Does the barrier extend underground?
You betcha! Remember that it's irregular. Characters have been exploring basements and the sewers for a few months now.
Got a question about the barrier: Reply here!
The Barrier 101
Miskatonic University is partially surrounded by a barrier that cannot be seen unless touched either inside or outside. When this happens, yellowish-gold crackles appear in a shock wave surrounding the point of impact. This is non-lethal and won't hurt anyone but a character will experience a tingle if touched. Don't think of the barrier as a dome, but as a gas cloud extending over part of the campus. It is irregular. It has no definable shape. For the people that were here from the start, when the campus was attacked in the rain on opening day, they may recall that rain DOES actually seem to fall through the barrier. Huh.
How does it work?
The barrier is controlled by an alien/ancient/artifacty device in the bell tower. It is not exactly "guarded" but there are security personnel that wander around and lookouts posted. There's a BIG SIGN that says not to meddle with the device (which looks a lot like the pillar/sphere/three finger indentation thingie from the end of Total Recall). Go ahead and touch it. Nothing will happen. Honest. We don't want the barrier coming down while there's a wild Shoggoth running around outside in Arkham, now do we? Not yet. There are only a few people that can lower the barrier (or create holes in it around the gate area to let the Recovery Team in and out). No character is currently able to. But have fun trying.
How do you pass through it?
No character, regardless of ability to teleport, walk through walls, turn into air (or even water), can pass through the barrier when it is up (I'm looking at you, super heroes, gods, and angels!). Why? That's one of the secrets of Miskatonic and Arkham itself. It's also a plot device to keep everyone on campus save for a few journeys into the city itself (of which there will be much much more in the coming months).
What parts of the campus are covered by the barrier?
In the settings link, you'll find the most up to date information of what is protected by the barrier. If your character wants to visit a blocked off building inside the barrier, contact a mod. For "reasons."
Protected spaces inside the barrier:
1. The School of Medicine
2. Mortuary (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
3. School of Liberal Arts (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
4. School of Languages (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
5. Staff Housing (Atwood, Armitage, Rice, Morgan)
6. Field House
7. Gatekeeper's House
8. Greenhouse
9. Science Hall
10. Science Annex (blocked off, out of bounds, don't get caught sneaking in)
12. Library
13. Bell Tower
Not Protected by the barrier:
Any building east of the bell tower on the map....which I will be updating "soon".
FAQ:
Does the barrier extend underground?
You betcha! Remember that it's irregular. Characters have been exploring basements and the sewers for a few months now.
Got a question about the barrier: Reply here!