Puno
Puno is a small city of approximately 20,000 residents, located in the southern Andean highlands. It stretches back from the shores of Lake Titicaca, up into the overlooking hills, with the more prosperous areas located closer to the water. The majority of the buildings are low one- or two-story structures made from stone or brick, and the streets they line become increasingly narrow and more maze-like the further uphill one goes. The center of the city is dominated by a broad plaza, ringed with neat greenery and trees and overlooked by the imposing edifice of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Charles Borromeo. Puno bustles with merchants hawking alpaca textiles, mystical artifacts, and exotic spices in its bustling marketplace. The streets echo with the melodies of traditional music, blending Spanish rhythms with indigenous melodies.
The countryside surrounding the city is home to a large number of farms, with staples such as maize, potatoes, and quinoa dominating the crops due to their hardiness and ability to grow at high altitudes. Local farmers also raise alpacas and llamas, with large herds being a common site.
Tourists are rarely found in Puno during the 1920s, so the investigators are of interest to the locals, who are, in general, welcoming to the visitors. Within the markets and stores, the investigators will be able to buy most supplies they need for their journey to the pyramid: from pack mules to weapons (including dynamite), although prices are, roughly, double for foreigners like the investigators. As necessary, refer to the 1920s Equipment Lists in the Call of Cthulhu Rulebook; most items can be purchased (within reason, given the locale) at double the costs listed—the Keeper is advised not to sweat the numbers here and allow the investigators to buy what they think they will need without overly worrying about the bookkeeping.
Puno has a reputation as the folkloric capital of Peru, and the investigators may hear many strange tales here. Traditions from the Incas and older civilizations are preserved, coexisting with the Catholic beliefs brought in by the Spanish colonialists. Puno’s history as the meeting point of the Aymara and Quechua cultures adds further to the mix. Visiting investigators may encounter a mix of Catholic religious festivals and older celebrations marked by folk dances, colorful costumes, and unusual masks.
Infrastructure
Transportation
In Puno, transportation options include the rhythmic clatter of horse-drawn carriages, the sturdy and surefooted mules that traverse the challenging terrain, as well as the modern marvel of steam-powered locomotives that whisk adventurous souls through the rugged Andean landscape, though carriages and especially motorcars are little use in getting into the surrounding wilderness.Points of interest
Lake Titicaca
The largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca is over 100 miles (160 km) long and up to 50 miles (80 km) wide at its broadest point, and lies adjacent to Puno. It straddles the border of Peru and Bolivia, and at over 12,000 feet (3658 m) above sea level it is considered the highest navigable lake in the world. The waters of the lake are brackish, due to evaporation, and it is home to large fish populations and thick growths of reeds. The area of the lake nearest to Puno holds dozens of floating islands. These man-made structures are platforms of reeds and mud, large enough to hold several reed huts. These house small settlements of the Uru people, who fish the waters.Climate
The climate in the highland city of Puno is altogether different than that of Lima and the investigators will need to ensure they have appropriate clothing and supplies to cope with it. The skies are commonly overcast, although the high altitude means that when the skies are clear, visitors who do not cover up and wear hats risk sunburn and sunstroke. Rainfall is frequent, and the lower humidity means that the air feels much fresher than it did down on the coast. Investigators traveling across the highlands can find themselves buffeted by strong winds on a regular basis.
The average low temperature is 4⁰C (40⁰F) and the high is 16⁰C (60⁰F). Once the investigators travel out toward the ruins, the higher elevation and greater exposure may mean that temperatures drop below freezing at night.
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