Let me first preface this review by saying that I am a great fan of HP Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E Howard, William Hope Hodgson, Arthur Machen and Lord Dunsany. And, if you didn't know, Arkham Horror is a game based squarely in the world of Lovecraftiana. I just wanted to get that out of the way, so that you know what my bias is. That said, intrinsic and eldritch understanding are not necessary to enjoy this most flavorful of Mythos games. Please visit a wikipedia for more information on these wonderful authors; you might thank me for it later.