Contents
Description
Default form of the Crimson Wanderer
Crimson Wanderer is a mysterious warrior of unrivaled strength and skill, feared for his deadly power, but is also seen as a hero by many. He's widely consider as one of the most dangerous humanoid entity in The Backrooms that raked the highest kill count ever recorded.
There's conflicting accounts regarding the appearance of the Crimson Wanderer, suggesting that different individuals perceived them differently. Initially, this is thought to be caused by an illusion, but further evidence proved that the Crimson Wanderer has actually multiple forms. He's not to be considered as a shape-shifter, and his transformation is apparently part of his power. See the next section for the details of his forms.
The default form of the Crimson Wanderer is an over 2 meters tall knight in a fantastic metal armor, complete with an old, worn-out red cape. He carries a claymore that he keeps on his back, but he often drags it across the floor, causing a loud, scratching noises while he approach his target. Considering his heavy movement, it's estimated that his weight, complete with his armor and weapon, is about half a metric ton.
Currently, it's uncertain what the Crimson Wanderer looks like under the armor. A popular theory suggested that the Crimson Wanderer is nothing but a sentient armor, so there's no body inside. This theory is unlikely to be true, considering the evidence that the Crimson Wanderer does bleed whenever they get hurt. Many believed that the entity was once an ordinary wanderer, but somehow got corrupted, cursed, consumed by his own power, or by some other malevolent forces. Even then, his semblance of humanity and personality still remained. Most common belief identify him as one of the fallen dragon slayer from Level 1275 or an agent affiliated by the Eye of Argos, considering that his behaviors mainly driven by sense of justice. A less popular theory suggested that the entity was originally a knight from one of the kingdom of the Toprooms, but tends to travel to various other regions, including the Backrooms and the Midrooms.
There's many theories regarding the connection of the Crimson Wanderer and the Crimson Heart from the Five Treasures of the Void, but there's no concrete evidence of the theories so far.
Behaviors
Combat form of the Crimson Wanderer
The Crimson Wanderer is a highly infamous entity despite the fact that there's only one Crimson Wanderer in the entirety of the Backrooms. This is mostly due to his extremely violent tendency to hunt and slaughter monsters across the Backrooms. Due to this, many classified him under the same category as Counter Entities, but he's certainly not one of them, as they're hostile against each other. However, he does not blindly attack, and not every entity will show hostility against him. The Crimson Wanderer would also often kill other wanderers Too, but only if he ever deemed them to cross the line. Many found it surprising that he's able to communicate, even expressing semblance of humanity with an actual personality, as he possessed a clear, keen judgement and ideals. Many attempted to communicate with the Crimson Wanderer, but he would rarely talk, and even if he does, his demeanor is a cold, stoic, cynical individual. However, he shows a great deal of empathy as he's protective toward the weak and the innocent. Because of this, many nicknamed him as the "Antihero of the Backrooms", to his disdain.
On his default form, the Crimson Wanderer is a rather calm and collected, even level-minded individual, that would only attack if provoked, or when he deemed violence as necessary. When he Gets hurt, or He Engages in combat with a powerful opponent, he will then transform to a more intimidating form where his armor and weapons darkens and twists into a more demonic, monstrous design. It's advised not to communicate and stay at a safe distance from the Crimson Wanderer during this phase, as he becomes much more violent, aggressive, brutal and barbaric.
True form of the Crimson Wanderer
On an extremely rare circumstance that the Crimson Wanderer would show his true form; either if he gets beaten Hard enough that his armor breaks, or when he faces an especially evil individual, as he only uses this for those he deemed deserved the worst of suffering. In this form, the Crimson Wanderer is an entity of chaos without a defined physical shape, described as a "living shadow" by those who witnessed his cruelty. Contrary to his previous forms, he's the most calm during this form, with little to no aggression. This eerie, serene demeanor only add to the intimidation factor, as he tends to float toward his target, taking his time to terrorize, tormenting them as they either helplessly fight back or try to escape. Due to this, It's theorized that the true nature of the Crimson Wanderer is an entity of nightmare, symbolizing the devil judging the wicked. However, this theory is widely disregarded by those with some more positive opinion of the entity, believing that he's an agent of justice instead.
The Crimson Wanderer would prioritize the safety of the innocent and would always aid the weak in need, unless in his true form, where he would avoid and ignore anyone but his target. When asked why, he said that he didn't want to accidentally hurt any innocent bystander, implying that even in his nightmare form, he still retained enough humanity and capable of empathy.
Biology
As for now, there's yet any concrete evidence on whether the Crimson Wanderer has an organic body inside the armor or not, so any assumption of its biology is unreliable. He does express humanly needs, but he says that he does not require food or drink to survive, though would consume them if he wished so. According to his explanation, he can regulate his life-force to store and use energy effectively, and he spends only a little amount of them to fulfill his needs, such as nutrient and air. It seems that the Lighters are the only thing that he ever deliberately consume, but it's uncertain whether he do this for sustenance, or simply an act to eliminate them.
Capabilities
Not much is known about the Crimson Wanderer, other than what's so far gathered from surviving observations. Apparently, the nature of the Crimson Wanderer shifts between forms, most likely due to the power of the transformation. There's two theories of the transformation; ascending to a higher state by harnessing a certain power, or unleashing the true nature that he suppressed. The first theory said that the Crimson Wanderer was once an ordinary wanderer, but gradually lost his humanity, got corrupted and cursed by his power. The second theory suggested that the Crimson Wanderer is actually a nightmarish monster, such as a demon, but desperately suppressing their malevolent nature, implying that he wishes to be human, or at least tries to behave as a civilized entity.
Overall, the analysis of the Crimson Wanderer's body and power will be divided based on his forms.
Default Form
- Strength: Able to punch through walls and many other objects rather easily.
- Durability: His armor seems to be as strong as a modern main battle tank.
- Mobility: Tend to walk slowly, but can actually move faster than a cheetah.
- Abilities: The Crimson Wanderer seems able to regenerate his body and his tools if they ever get damaged. However, the Crimson Wanderer does not seems to be immortal, as he shows a sign of survival instinct, suggesting that he could still die, or perhaps, he was once a mortal. Apparently, he regenerate by using the same life-force manipulation, which he used to sustain his body.
Combat Form
- Strength: Smashing through vehicles and buildings with little to no effort.
- Durability: Surviving heavy explosives and barely taking any damage.
- Mobility: Much faster than in default form, with highest observable speed around supersonic level.
- Abilities: The Crimson Wanderer generates a fiery aura during this form, with increasing heat and brightness depend on its energy level. His aura is apparently a projection of his power, that he can fire off as a blast or beam to destroy his targets. Overall power varies between average explosives, to something that can destroy a whole town. His aura may grow and reshape to various forms, and most commonly, a spiritual avatar of himself wielding various of weapons. Multiple eyewitnesses insist that "he's using Susanoo from Naruto" due to their similar visual and capabilities. The aura itself is apparently the same life-force that he used to sustain his body, which mean, overusing his aura would lead to him running out of energy to sustain his life.
True Form
- Strength: Incomprehensible due to his chaotic, nightmarish existence.
- Durability: It is uncertain on what could damage him on this state.
- Mobility: Very slow, but often seen appearing and disappearing from one place to another, Suggesting he sometimes Moves using Teleportation.
- Abilities: The Crimson Wanderer is considered an entity of nightmare on this phase. His nature is a mystery that not many dare to observe, but he doesn't seems to be omnipresent nor omniscience, let alone omnipotent. Currently, our understanding to his capabilities on this form is close to nothing, but his existence seems to corrupt or disturb anything around him, such as causing lamps and other electronics to flickers or even dies. Living beings expressed discomfort, intense fear, dread and despair around him. Many entities of entities of the Backrooms would avoid or even becoming terrified when he entered this form, even though most are already afraid from his previous forms. He rarely ever uses this form, and it seems that there are many limitations, requirements, or consequences of unleashing this form. The most commonly accepted theory is that, using this form for too long would slowly erode his humanity, turning him to mindless, heartless monster.
Relation to Entities
In general, the Crimson Wanderer treats all beings like a warrior would Treat them to be, and does not seek needless bloodshed, but would not hesitate to attack and fight whenever he deemed necessary. In many cases, his act is to be considered as "coup de grace" as he kill others not out of malice, but to end their suffering. Due to this, it's uncertain on which entities are friendly or hostile against him. Here are the analysis of his behavior toward other entities, based on our current knowledge.
- Facelings: Rarely ever shows any hostility against each other. Most of Facelings are somewhat afraid of the Crimson Wanderer, but some expressed respect or even admiration toward him. There's a theory that the Crimson Wanderer never kill any Facelings, but would punish those who misbehave, especially their hostile variants.
- Hounds: All Hounds are afraid of the Crimson Wanderer and would always run or hide from him. It is uncertain whether the Crimson Wanderer would attack the Hounds or not, but he has saved many wanderers from the Hounds.
- Smilers: The Crimson Wanderer dislikes them, and the Smilers are afraid of him. There's a theory that the Crimson Wanderer is one among few entities that can eliminate the Smilers, either with his aura or his nightmare form.
- Deathmoths: He consider them as nothing but wild animals, so he would just avoid or shoo them.
- Skin-Stealers: The Crimson Wanderer viewed them as a parasite, cowardly liars, and even traitors that need to be exterminated, and thus, he's always hostile to them and would always kill them. It's uncertain why he could always see through their guise, but because of this, the Skin-Stealers are extremely afraid around him. If you see someone getting paranoid, anxious, even agitated around the Crimson Wanderer, then there's a good chance that they're a Skin-Stealer. He displayed the same behavior to the Stalkers.
- Partygoers: The Crimson Wanderer has a unique approach toward Partygoers. He does not hate them as much as the Skin-Stealers, but he hunts them even more fiercely, as he consider them as "one of the worst diseases" in the Backrooms. Despite that, he pitied the Partypoopers, considering them as botched spawns that deserve to be put down for their own good.
- Lighters: So far, the Lighters are the only ones that would ALWAYS push the Crimson Wanderer to his combat mode. However, this does not mean that the Lighters stood a chance against him to begin with. Instead, he need to use his aura to handle them. Eyewitness said that his aura would "devour" them like a flame consuming another flame.
- Mold Victims: A recent discovery uncovered another entities that would always push the Crimson Wanderer to his combat mode, but this one is not to defend himself, and instead to save others. Apparently, the aura of the Crimson Wanderer is able to neutralize the mold. The victims described the sensation as a soothing warm relief while the infection purged from their body. Victims that already undergo stage 3 and 4 of the mold would die in the purification process, but it's much less painful than killing them with cleaning chemicals. The Crimson Wanderer would only do this with the consent of the victims.
- Counter Entities: The Crimson Wanderer tend to be in conflict with them, but he does not seek conflict with them. On most case, it's them that attack him first. Which is a shame, because the Crimson Wanderer shows respect to them, even if they keeps trying to attack him.
- The Corrupted Amalgamation: One of very few entities that befriended by the Crimson Wanderer, as both of them are social entities capable of judgement, and would only hunt terrible peoples.
- Malveillant: Due to the complexity of the entities, then it's difficult to summarize their relations. The Crimson Wanderer is not hostile to them, but has strong opinion on them. He viewed them as "friendly goblins" that are seemingly nice, but are actually dangerous, deadly, even downright malevolent. Due to this, he's exceptionally cautious on them. In general, he use the same treatment as he did to Facelings: He is not hostile to them, but if they misbehave, then he will punish them.
- The Phoeni: The Crimson Wanderer adore their beauty and viewed them as aspects of nature, as they might be elemental beings or even spiritual entities. Due to this, he consider them as something sacred. According to him, they might be connected with the Gardener, though not even him knows whether they're truly connected or not.
- Fencer: Theorized to be his sparring buddy.
- Jerry: Ask the Crimson Wanderer about Jerry, and he would usually laugh it off.
- The Keymaster: There are some claims of them interacting, possibly even working together. Both of them refuse to elaborate on what relation or business that they have with each other.
- The Puppeteer: The Crimson Wanderer seems to view the entity in an exceptionally positive light, and is protective to the entity. The true nature of their relation is a mystery for now, but it's safe to assume that they're in good terms.
- The Guardian: The Guardian and the Crimson Wanderer are often seen together, both in battles and peaceful times. Although not much known regarding the nature of their relationship, it's safe to say that they get along nicely, considering that they're friendly enough to help each other. Apparently, they respect each others and treats each other in knightly manners.
- King of Normality: Widely considered to be his rival, the King of Normality is said to be another enforcer of justice, although both are twisted in their own ways. Unlike the Crimson Wanderer who wander around, slaughtering any threats he deemed necessary to eliminate, the King of Normality instead mingle with other wanderers, making it hard to understand his nature or motivation.
- Mater Lunae: The Mother Moon is a revered goddess for many, and the Crimson Wanderer treat her with utmost respect, just like how any knights would be when they're in face of a divinity. Not much known about their connection, but it seems that he's not a stranger to her.
- The First: The Founder of the Major Explorer Group who also known as the Lucid, is theorized to be an acquaintance of the Crimson Wanderer. Although there's no concrete evidence for any connections, the Crimson Wanderer does have strong opinions regarding the Consensus of Impresarios.
- Jester: An enigmatic entity theorized to be the caretaker/manager of the Backrooms. A theory suggest that the Jester might be the "Clown of the Court" residing in Level ALPHAOMEGA as its guardian, but it's impossible to tell whether this is true or not. The Crimson Wanderer find the Jester to be an intriguing individual, and has conflicting view of its nature, making it hard to describe their unique relationship.
- Hubris: The Crownless King, also known as The Usurper, is an extremely powerful entity said to inhabit The Forgotten Throne. There's is a theory that he might be after the "Crown of the Throne" in Level ALPHAOMEGA, but whether this is true or not, only time could tell.
- The Mail Carrier: The Mail Carrier is an entity that delivers mail to people in the Frontrooms, and theorized to be the butler of either Hubris or the Storyteller. The Mail Carrier is sometimes seen in the Infinite Library, suggesting that the later theory might be true, or the entity server multiple masters.
- The Storyteller: A boss entity that ruled the Infinite Library and all its content. The Crimson Wanderer seems to avoid the creature, and once said "don't go to that thing, unless it's really necessary, because it's really not worth your life and sanity" which suggest that the entity is more powerful or at least equally powerful as him. Based on what gathered so far, the Storyteller is a psychic entity that manipulates memory and knowledge, And is also The shape-shifting master of illusion, among countless of magical capabilities.
- The Gardener: A boss entity that ruled the Land of Predators and mother of many monsters. Even though the nature of the Gardener is a mystery for many, it is undeniable that she's powerful and influential for many beings. The Crimson Wanderer is especially adamant that she's a dangerous monster, even though he doesn't seems to seek conflict with her. However, he would not hesitate to exterminate any of her creations, especially when they ended up becoming pests for others.
- Server Boxes: The Crimson Wanderer has a unique view of them. He considers them more as walking weapons, rather than a sentient beings, so the rule of "coup de grace" do not apply to them. Any Server Box sighted by The Crimson Wanderer will be obliterated by his blade, unless in circumstance when they're fully controlled as weapons by the right hands. Due to the special exception, the Crimson Wanderer said to kept 2 rare variants of the Server Boxes in the form of phones; One with a blue case, and one with a black case. They act as his body guards, and he uses them for emergency situation, such as to aid an unfair battle, or to scout dangerous levels.
- Star Creator: They ostensibly to be near colleague. You may uncover them battling concurrently the entities, if not they commonly be discerned asserting and swallowing almond water or eating jointly. Their cooperation is extraordinarily remarkable, appearing to combatting entityies, etc. They are simply unbeatable if together as they are both powerful entities.
Other entities that the Crimson Wanderer would immediately try to destroy are: Clumps, Rabids, Windows, Dead Hands, Death Ostriches, Death Rats, Toxin Spitters, Insanities, Scratcher, Sixarms, Clawlings, Mannequins, and many more.
Out of any entity, the residence of Level 1275 has the most complex and unpredictable interaction with him. Both The dragons and other beings here behave as if he belongs there, but many of them are unusually hostile toward him. Apparently, this is not due to his nature, but his personal relations with them. This is why there's many theories that he's one of the dragon slayers that was then corrupted or cursed. Even then, both the Crimson Wanderer and the denizen of the level still treat each other with some knightly courtesy, like how warriors should be. It's theorized that the citizen of the Toprooms has the same behavior against him, however, there's not enough information to back up this assumption.
Further research would be added later.
Addendum
I see that you're interested in him too...
Then why don't you come here and listen to his story?
I promise that it will be very interesting...
I'll be waiting at the Infinite Library, wanderer.
What the name of the story, you ask?
Well, if I need to say...
It's the Requiem of A Lost Knight.