ENTITY NO. 5
THREAT LEVEL
4
Habitat:
Many, notably in levels with cramped indoor environments
Aggression: 5/5
Hostile to all entities
Intellect: 3/5
Problem solving ability
Danger: 4/5
Life-threatening
Description
Clumps are hostile entities that resemble bulky, massive clumps of human limbs that flail about and extend in every direction. They are known to inhabit vents, cabinets, and other tight spaces. These entities are infamous for their uncanny level of intelligence when it comes to ambushing and preying on Wanderers.
Clumps spend most of their time tucked away in tight spaces like closets, drains, pipes, chimneys, and most commonly, vents. Generally, the only part of a Clump that is seen by a Wanderer are their frontal arms, which they allow to hang freely and dangle from within their hunting space, a behavior theorized to serve as a form of "bait" to get Wanderers to approach them. While occasionally an arm will flex or a hand will clench, these arms are generally immobile when no Wanderers are present.
Behavior
When not in hiding, Clumps take great care to avoid contact with other entities or humans, remaining motionless while they wait for prey to approach them. Clumps will often remain motionless for hours, days, or even longer, camouflaging themselves perfectly within their environment. Their ability to remain still for such extended periods is aided by the remarkable flexibility and control they have over their limbs.
However, after extended periods without food, Clumps undergo a significant behavioral shift indicated by heightened aggression and sporadic movements. If left without food for too long, Clumps may leave their chosen home and migrate to other Levels of the Backrooms in search of food. Their means of movement, though rarely displayed, are surprisingly fast—Clumps can propel themselves by rapidly extending and contracting their long, powerful arms, allowing them to move at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. This makes them far more mobile than one would expect from such a entity of their size. However, they usually reserve this ability for moments of desperation, when hungry or irritated.
Once a Clump begins moving, it becomes far more dangerous. Unlike other entities that rely on pursuit or aggressive engagement, Clumps focus on their environment, often using loud actions to draw in prey. Their hunting technique relies on patience: they use their adaptable limbs to alter their surroundings and create the illusion of harmlessness. For instance, they may extend one or more arms to dangle from high ceilings, or let their limbs remain still and partially visible, giving the impression that they are simply a part of the environment. This behavior lures unsuspecting wanderers closer, deceiving them into thinking the entity poses no threat.
A typical ambush occurs when a Wanderer unknowingly steps into the proximity of a Clump. The entity’s arms are capable of rapid extension, often latching onto prey with great force. These arms can quickly coil around the victim, immobilizing them before they even have time to react. Once the prey is captured, the Clump drags its victim into tight, confined spaces such as pipes, vents, or small rooms.
A particularly common tactic is the use of its hands for signaling. Starving Clumps may resort to pounding on nearby walls, slamming doors, or clapping their hands in a rhythmic, deliberate fashion. These noises serve as both a way to attract prey and a way to disorient or intimidate potential victims. Their highly flexible limbs allow them to make these sounds from multiple angles, further increasing the disorienting effect on anyone who might be near.
The need for food is so overwhelming in these instances that Clumps will target any sentient being that comes within their reach. While they typically hunt human wanderers as they are easy targets, starvation has been known to drive Clumps to attack other entities of their kind. When encountering another Clump in a state of extreme hunger, these creatures are willing to engage in fights, competing over prey or even cannibalizing each other if necessary.
Biology
Clumps measure, on average, 6 feet (72 inches) in diameter and can fit in spaces as small as 2 feet (24 inches) by contorting their limbs to fit within these tight spaces. Their physiology allows them to bend and stretch in ways that are not possible for most other entities, making them extraordinarily adaptable to confined environments. The limbs of a Clump appear to be composed of a highly flexible, fibrous tissue that can elongate or compress depending on the available space. This tissue is believed to be biologically engineered to withstand extreme pressure, making it well-suited for hiding in narrow gaps like vents.
The arms of a Clump are unique due to their extreme variability in both size and texture. The skin covering these limbs is not uniform, with many specimens exhibiting arms of irregular coloration, or even scarring. These scars are theorized to be the result of encounters with prey, where the skin of the Clump may tear or stretch to accommodate the violent nature of its feeding process. The skin itself is a tough, leathery material, and in some cases, appears to be capable of self-healing over time.
One of the most notable biological features of a Clump is its singular, extraordinarily long arm. This arm, which can extend well over 20 feet (240 inches), is incredibly strong. Its length is supported by an intricate system of specialized muscles that can stretch without breaking, allowing it to reach significant distances. The muscles in this arm are capable of both rapid contraction and precise movements. This arm is additionally the peak of a Clump's strength, with it reportedly lifting objects that weigh above 800 pounds.
Once a prey is caught, the Clump utilizes its multiple arms to pull the prey toward its central mass. This process, though not fully understood, is thought to involve a combination of physical force and the unique properties of the Clump’s body. The entity is capable of wrapping its many limbs around the prey, constricting and crushing the victim before absorbing them. This absorption process likely involves a rapid reconfiguration of the Clump’s body mass, where the victim is drawn into an internal cavity or space within the organism, likely a specialized area for digestion or some type of mouth.
The exact mechanism by which the Clump absorbs its prey remains unknown. The sound of bones being crushed suggests that the Clump applies significant force to incapacitate the victim, while the absence of remains after consumption indicates a process of complete assimilation, where the bones and tissues of the prey are broken down or incorporated into the entity’s body.
Discovery
The discovery of Clumps is a largely controversial topic, though the first verified report on the internet traces back to March 2nd, 2008, when an unknown user posted a picture of them to the M.E.G. Database. However, Clumps have existed long before 2008, with the earliest known depiction of them dating back to the 1400s in a Ncipetherazi controlled cavern, where an amalgam of limbs was carved into a stone.
History
As stated previously, Clumps have existed within the Backrooms for hundreds of years. They seem to have some sort of connection with the Ncipetherazi people, as they were very prevalent within Ncipetherazi mythology and folklore. While their origin is debated, the leading theory is that, because Clumps were frequently mentioned in Ncipetherazi folklore, they were brought to life via the theory of Tulpaefication, which states that previously fictional things can manifest into reality if they are believed in enough.
Sometime in the mid 1900s, Clumps became a prime target of hunting, due to the strangely high nutritional value of their organs. This led to an inevitable decrease in the Clump population, with there only being an estimated one hundred Clumps left in the entire Backrooms.
By the early 2000s, with the invention of more advanced technology and increasingly organized expeditions, sightings of Clumps became rarer but more documented. Around this time the first documents and pictures were made and taken of Clumps, and the population started steadily increasing once again.
Evolution
The physical appearance of Clumps has changed drastically since their creation. The first few folklore drawings of Clumps depicted them as human-like hands that protrude from the ground and consume their prey in an unknown way. The manner in which they evolved to their current form is unknown, though it is theorized that one Clump failed to fully consume its human prey, resulting in crucial parts like the head and brain being left out, while internal organs like the heart and liver successfully fused with it, putting the Clump in a mutated-like state. The descendants of that Clump carried on those mutations, which led to the current state of Clumps.
While nothing can truly be confirmed as their existence predates the invention of the camera, due to their sudden materialisation and history dating back to folklore, it can be safely assumed, through time, Clumps have underwent every stage of tulpaeic manifestation, eventually concluding on the last phase.
When first created, Clumps, like every tulpae, contained a large amount of Psychic Radiation. Via the use of a special device created by the Entity Research Commitee to detect the level of Psychic Radiation, Clumps were discovered to have incredibly low quantities of Psychic Radiation compared to other tulpae. It is thought that this decrease was a byproduct of the previously mentioned failed fusion. They essentially became natural entities, with only small remnants of their former tulpae self being intact.
Survival Tips
- Always stay at least 10 feet (3.05 meters) away from a Clump. If one gets too close, it may lunge and pull them in, leading to almost certain death.
- Clumps may use hand gestures, clapping, pounding, or even sign language to lure a person closer. It is advised that one ignores any movement—these are traps meant to deceive wanderers.
- If you spot a Clump, one should slowly back away while keeping their eyes on it. Sudden movements may trigger an attack.
- Clumps are highly sensitive to sound. One should not talk, breathe loudly, or make unnecessary noise. Even the slightest sound can alert them to human presence.
- Never try to touch or interact with a Clump in any way. They are extremely unpredictable and can strike faster than expected.
- In rare cases where a Clump begins moving toward an individual, one should run immediately. They can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, so finding shelter or escaping to another level may be a preferred option.
- If a Clump hasn’t fed for a long time, it may move between levels in search of prey. One should be cautious in new areas, as a Clump may have recently migrated there.
- Clumps tend to hide in dark areas. One should carry a flashlight or glowstick to reveal their locations before a wanderer unknowingly gets too close.
- A lone wanderer is more vulnerable to a Clump’s tricks. Moving in groups can provide better awareness and a higher chance of escaping safely.
- If one sees a Clump in an area, they should leave a mark, warning, or signal for other wanderers to avoid the danger zone.
Rewriter and Current Author: UnderPM.
Big thanks for very cool help: limmy.
Previous Author(s): RayneNormal.
Image: "entity-5-cc" by Wikidot Admin CutTheBirch is under CC BY-SA 3.0. Image was taken from its respective page.