The mysterious, poverty-stricken town of Innsmouth lies like a decaying shipwreck on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. To the casual observer it appears to be nothing more than a derelict coastal town plagued by recession, but closer inspection reveals that something much more sinister casting a dark shadow over Innsmouth.

Founded in 1643, Innsmouth grew steadily into a prosperous fishing port through trade with the West Indies. However, the town's history has been plagued with calamity and now the image of its former past has almost wasted away. The town itself is a half deserted, crumbling assortment of dilapidated buildings, narrow shabby streets, and cracked, cobbled pavements. The town is separated into two different areas by the Manuxet River, which runs through the middle of the town to the old harbor -- the main focal point. From here, an unmistakable fishy stench constantly emanates, adding to the unpleasantness of the surroundings.

The area around Innsmouth consists mainly of vast uninhabitable marshlands and steep hills, isolating the town from outside influences. It is partly this seclusion that has stunted the town's growth; meaning modern amenities such as electricity, gas, and automobiles are not available to many of its inhabitants.

Little is known of Innsmouth's past, or what caused it to fall into such economical decline. Back in the 1820's there was a sudden unprecedented increase in the town's affluence through the export of gold from a newly established refinery. Rumors as to source of the gold indicate it originated from dealings with natives from an island south of the Pacific Ocean. However, this period of wealth seemed to lead to a much darker stage in the town's history, during which is was struck by a plague seemingly brought by one of the trade ships. Soon afterwards it is believed that a new religious cult became the prominent source of control in Innsmouth, ruling with a rod of iron and striking fear into the town's inhabitants.

Since then, the town has become a foreboding place, desolate and unwelcoming to visitors. The few residents seen outside their homes appear to be cursed with some peculiar condition described in various stories as "The Innsmouth Look." There are unsavory rumors of inbreeding or a resurgence of the former plague, but there is no mistaking that there is something abnormal about the people of Innsmouth. They shuffle about clumsily with an arched posture, their eyes appearing large and unblinking, and their skin seems to exhibit a curious appearance -- a repulsive, pale-greenish scaly taint.

The people are notoriously inhospitable to outsiders, either ignoring them or questioning them aggressively. This attitude -- in combination with its dark past and disturbing atmosphere -- has resulted in Innsmouth having very few visitors. If anyone does come to stay, they very rarely stop overnight.