— in the midst of this pestilence...

[plod]

this world is the same as ours. same events, same wars, same cultures, and same bigotries. except in this world, the paranormal is very real and very dangerous. magic, vampires, werewolves, demons, witches — they all exist. the blackwood detective agency was formed to investigate and address these threats. no one knows when the agency was formed, by whom, or if this is even the first iteration or just the latest. lore says it was created during the year without summer (1816) in new york city, but the headquarters itself wasn't established in san francisco until the gold rush in the 1840s. why it's located in san francisco is also a mystery. some say the wealth of the surrounding gold mines was like a siren's song, and the founders followed; others say san francisco sits on a hellmouth, an entrance to hell. some others also say the city was built around the agency's headquarters, tall and black, but that's unconfirmed. you ask old timers, people who've lived in the area for decades, and they'll pause, screw their eyes shut, and try to remember if the building's always been there. they'll say they think so but can't be certain, while others may say they've never noticed it. though their presence is not advertised, whispers travel fast and far. if someone had even a hint of knowledge of the paranormal, the agency's reputation is known. agents and offices are located throughout the united states, but sometimes, agents will cross the border or an ocean for a case. anyone can hire them, so long as they have the money, an item, or even knowledge desired by the agency. half of their cases are ones the agents take on themselves, like a string of cattle mutilations or a cult holding a town hostage. initiative is rewarded, especially if it results in recovering valuable magical objects. at the head of the blackwood detective agency is someone known only as "the old man", a small, elderly man with a pinched expression and the coldness of a corpse. vets say he's been there since they started years ago and was an old man then. no one knows whether he's always been here or if it's merely a title passed from director to director. no one even knows if he's living or dead. like most things about blackwood, it's unknown. "it's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in san francisco. it must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world." ― oscar wilde among the ranks of the blackwood detective agency are humans and the paranormal. criminals, lawmen; vampires, witches; farmers, doctors — agents from all walks of life. the one common thread binding them is that every agent was at their lowest when the agency contacted them. "desperation makes men do desperate things," snide agents say. so why do they stay? the pay is good, and the work is engaging yet monotonous enough to keep them involved. but, for some, the agency has offered their service in helping them check off an item from their list. regardless, every agent has their own story, their own reason for joining the blackwood detective agency.

very much still a work in progress.
still haven't figured out the magic system.
or haven't decided if i want to figure it out.
feel free to ask for additional
info not found here.
sorry!