The town of Arkham is the home of Miskatonic University. The town and it's inhabitants are like a beacon that casts the best of civilization into the darkness and mystery beyond. Not far away, the Colour Out of Space landed and sapped the land.
To the northwest, the Dunwich Horror terrified the farmers until Arkham's intellectuals fought the thing and vanquished it. To the northeast lurks the decaying town of Innsmouth and its tainted, guilty, sullen inhabitants. Hoary gambreled Kingsport, seaport of dreams, is a few hours' walk to the east.
But in Arkham, all is normal and peaceful. Faith, family values, and decency thrive along the banks of the Miskatonic -- or so the townsfolk believe...