The Department of Extraordinary Phenomena is an organisation created by Troy Young for his Nyarlathotep Cycle series of Cthulhu Mythos stories.
Purpose[]
The sole purpose of the Canadian government's Department of Extraordinary Phenomena is to protect humankind from "The Other", a term used by Harjit Singh to describe the forces of the Cthulhu Mythos.
They are known to eliminate those whose contact with The Other has irrevocably damaged them, a policy implemented to prevent causing a panic amongst the general populace.
History and Organisation[]
The Department of Extraordinary Phenomena was founded in 1928 after two law enforcement officers and a scholar uncovered cult activity which resulted in the summoning of a malevolent being. In the aftermath, the officer in charge of the investigation petitioned the Canadian government who agreed with his assessment and established the new organisation.
In the modern day, the Department employs an unknown number of field agents along with an extensive network of consultants and support staff, the majority of whom are unaware of the exact nature of their work, a precaution designed to both maintain secrecy and protect these valuable assets. They are also known to be in contact with their counterpart agencies from other countries, a policy intended to allow for a global coverage of Other incursions. The heads of these agencies meet twice annually to compare notes and keep up to date.
Recruitment[]
In order to spare the lives and sanity of the innocent, the Department recruits only from those individuals who have had previous encounters with The Other. Even amongst those with prior contact, only individuals who have shown an exceptional degree of resourcefulness and open-mindedness are considered as candidates.
As a "black" organisation, the Department usually employs its agents in a mundane government agency and has them seconded to an unspecified project. This ensures that it’s activities cannot be traced. For example, Dr. Adele Kramer ostensibly works for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but in reality her on-paper superiors have no idea of her actual line of work.
Due to the unfortunate fact that the record for an agent's career combatting The Other is a mere eight years before their sanity is too degraded to continue functioning, the turnover of field staff is high.
Known Staff[]
Founding (1928)[]
Management[]
- An unnamed Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant, first Director
Investigators[]
- Sergeant Leduc, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, first investigator
Others[]
- Professor Ian Robertson, academician at McGill University, first researcher.
Modern Day (circa 2020/2021)[]
Management[]
- Dr. Adele Kramer, Director 2019 - present, former marine biologist.
- Harjit Singh, Director 2013 - 2019, former oil worker. Deceased.
- Jim Norton, Director circa 2012/2013.
- Cheryl (last name unknown), Director's Executive Assistant.
Field Agents[]
- Inspector Joe Mills, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Deceased.
- Sergeant Pete Ivalu, Canadian Army Ranger. Deceased.
- Malcolm Mayweather, firefighter. Deceased.
- Charlene Hines, former convict. Deceased.
- Mindy Nguyen, investigative reporter. Deceased.
- Neve Winston, senior police officer.
- Marie Hollis, Prince Edward Island office.
- Jim Barnes, Prince Edward Island office.
Others[]
- Dr. Eugenie Girouard, medical doctor.
- Molly Xiao, researcher.
- Raven Obomsawin, nurse.
- Eric Finch, nurse.