| Entity Number | 9 |
| Entity Name(s) | Faceling, Vacant Faced, Homo Corruptum |
| Habitat | Facelings are one of the most common entities within The Backrooms, thus they inhabit most of its levels. |
| Danger | The behavior of a Faceling varies depending on their age and type; some attack wanderers while others are passive. |
| Volatility | Facelings have unpredictable behavior and are able to change at any time. |
> Description_ 
Entity 9, frequently referred to as Facelings, The Vacant Faced, or scientifically Homo corruptum are a species of humanoid beings that inhabit a vast majority of The Backrooms' levels. As aforementioned, their appearance mimics those of humanoids, however, they feature several unsettling and unorthodox abnormalities on their bodies which make them different from normal humans. Most wanderers insist that they resemble normal humans enough from afar; if certain parts of their body are concealed or they are oriented in a certain way. Closing the distance will reveal an uncanny and sometimes horrifying presentation of the Facelings, with their most notable features being the complete lack of any facial features.
Wanderers note that most Facelings have a mannequin and artificial intelligence-like appearance, or that they look computer generated, giving them an eerie and unrealistic appearance. Roughly 40% of Facelings feature this "fake"-like appearance. This strange appearance is not as noticeable until one is around 12ft (~3.7m) away from the Faceling in question. Explorers have described the absence of some or all of a Faceling's facial features as a decent to downright terrible photoshop job using the delete, smear, and/or blur tool. The resulting look favors a piece of flesh stretched over the skull or gives the being a 'bubble-head' appearance.
While Facelings lack some facial features, they are said to be able to see as well as humans. Some theorize that Facelings have invisible facial features, or that they are located somewhere within the body as opposed to in the face, though there is no proof to validate these claims.
Instead of lacking all facial features, many Facelings have one or two facial features and lack the rest. Additionally, some Facelings are able to blank their face at will. These types of Facelings have been named False Facelings, as they can choose whether to appear as a Faceling or human being. (check Faceling Types section for more information)
Facelings are widely regarded as the entities which feature the most behavioral and biological similarities to human beings. They can be frequently observed doing typical "human" activities, such as: jogging, doing yoga, driving automobiles, cleaning, et cetera. Some
They, as aforementioned, inhabit a large amount of The Backrooms' levels, though they prefer to live in ones with low amounts of entities, or those that are cities, towns, and villages. Additionally, their relations with other entities are undetermined, as they can sometimes be observed attacking others, and other times being passive. It is theorized that their behavior can also change depending on the level that they are located in.
While researchers have not devoted resources towards investigating Faceling social bonding behaviors, most researchers are confident that these beings' courtship, marital, and childbearing behaviors are no different than the behaviors seen in human beings. Officer Atticus N. Wolfe revealed that he is "married" to a Faceling named Chioma B. Tombiri - Wolfe, and is a proud father of two twin girls, Chiasoka and Chimdiuto. However, he cannot recall when the birth of his children happened nor when and how he met his wife.
According to Officer Wolfe, a verbal False Faceling, he is one of 58 Facelings that can speak. The location of the other 57 verbal Facelings is unknown, and it is unknown how he knows this information. 99% of all Facelings are verbally impaired. Most Facelings are verbally impaired because they lack mouths. Partial and false Facelings (more on them in the biology section) typically have a mouth, but less than 1% of all partial and false Facelings who have mouths can speak. M.E.G. speech pathologists determined that most partial and false Facelings either have ineffective vocal cords or lack vocal cords completely. The Facelings that have vocal cords can mostly produce sound but not speech. The sounds produced are described as wheezing death rattles. Another thing to consider is that many Facelings do not have eyes or ears. However, Officer Wolfe has confirmed that Facelings are able to communicate with each other, though he refuses to elaborate further and explain how their communication system functions.
- Less than 1% of all Facelings use verbal speech for communication.
- 41% of all Facelings know how to write messages in several different languages for communication.
- All Facelings are known to use sign language for communication.
- All Facelings communicate with each other telepathically.
Facelings are said to be one of, if not, the oldest non-extinct entity species that live in The Backrooms, with reports of them existing dating back to 1315. While this theory has not been proved correct nor false, many say that Facelings have a complex language consisting of random sounds, and even a social hierarchy among them. The first False Faceling that could speak the English Language was discovered in 1724, and interviews were conducted with him shortly after. During the interview, he was very careful with his words, though confirmed that he was part of a "tribe" of sorts, making the social hierarchy theory plausible.
> Behavior_
Faceling children are temperamental beings. Most of them are shy and nervous in the presence of human explorers. They are more afraid of wanderers than wanderers are afraid of them. They are known to scare people away unintentionally, not because they are attacking but because they bolt from under or behind something suddenly and sprint away to hide somewhere else. Like most children, their movements, while quick, are uncoordinated, awkward, and clumsy. Faceling children tend to knock things over or run into things upon emerging from their hiding place. Most wanderers do not even get the opportunity to watch a Child Faceling flee, so they are left frozen in terror, waiting for something to attack them.
It is safe to say that if one catches a glimpse of a Child Facelings running the other way, they are not in danger nor should they be scared. However, do not follow any fleeing children. All Faceling children, regardless of their level of hostility, carry sharp objects with them for unknown reasons. Nevertheless, the frightened Child Faceling will attack out of fear and try to kill in self-defense. Wanderers also risk getting attacked by an Adult Faceling who believes that the explorer is a major threat to the Child Faceling.
Not all of them are timid, there is a fair number of them that are constantly mischievous or even homicidal. It is not known why some are well-behaved while others are not. A Child Faceling appearing from nowhere alone or in a small group of 2 - 5 is never a good sign. As mentioned before, most of them will try to avoid being seen by one. Nevertheless, hostile Child Facelings will attempt to chase one down, torment, and then kill their selected victim, especially if you the victim is an adult. Hostile Child Facelings will use any sharp objects they have to assault their victim. This subset of Child Faceling reportedly can sprint and charge at frightening speeds, jump 10ft (~3.0m), and scale walls and ceilings. Hostile Child Facelings tend to bully, scare, or prank human teens and children. There have been some reports of some of them purposefully leading teen and child explorers to dangerous levels. The only thing that can stop a violent Child Faceling is an Adult Faceling, who will attempt to scare them off.
Child Facelings are known to have good relations with Adult Facelings, as they will typically call an Adult if they sense danger incoming or if they are being attacked. This is especially present in bonds between Hostile Child Facelings and Hostile Adult Facelings, because they frequently team up to terrorize unsuspecting wanderers.
"Strangers"
This is the behavioral pattern held by 42% of all Adult Facelings. Most of them will not acknowledge a wanderer's presence, while some will acknowledge them but will actively ignore or avoid them. This behavioral pattern is why some Facelings are called "Strangers". Like average "strangers" from The Frontrooms, this type of Adult Facelings will not bother one unless provoked or in danger.
It is worth mentioning that the majority of Facelings, like most people, are prone to the Bystander's Effect and most likely will not step in if a wanderer is in trouble.
"Emergency Responders"
This subset of Faceling will intervene if one reaches out to them or if they notice that an individual is in trouble. The aforementioned Officer Atticus N. Wolfe is an excellent example of such Faceling. As long as one is a 'good citizen' or a decent person who has made minor bad decisions, he is willing to help. He has also been known to request other members of his kind to assist a person if they see someone in trouble. Nevertheless, this behavioral pattern is held by roughly 12.8% of all adult Facelings. This group of Faceling will aid individuals by doing the following:
- Offering helpful advice.
- Giving useful items (alternatively weapons to fight against entities).
- Helping one safely escape a level.
- Protecting people from other entities.
This percentage of Faceling usually have the already mentioned roles and jobs. Examples of this include but are not limited to Facelings that are designated firefighters, paramedics, members of poison control, physicians, police officers, military personnel, etc. Again, some Facelings are driven to aid explorers without having a role in emergency response. This behavior pattern is why Facelings are also sometimes referred to as 'Non-Playable Characters' (NPCs). Like NPCs featured in video games, this subset of Facelings 'play a role' in the environment one is in.
"Speciesism"
19.2% of all adult Facelings are openly discriminatory towards humans. The discriminatory behaviors display by some Facelings are listed below:
Communicating their disdain for the human species. Most Facelings are not capable of auditory speech, so most will communicate their hatred for humans via passive aggressive to hostile messages and signs or making crude and derogatory bodily gestures towards humans. Most entities attack humans because humans are seen as prey, due to a predatorial impulse or because they enjoy human suffering. Facelings are one of the few entities that will harbor disdain towards humans because of prejudice. (Some investigators will argue their hatred for humans is warranted.) Facelings that are against humans express their disgust towards humans due to the following transgressions:
- Humans attacked them first, then insisted that they did it out of self-defense. Again, Facelings will point out that The Backrooms is their home. Humans are invading it.
- Humans are trespassing on their territory.
- Humans drove them out of their territory.
- The Major Explorer Group has almost unrestricted access to resources.
- Humans are seen as dirty creatures by most intelligent entities as they have polluted certain habitable areas of The Backrooms.
- Humans brought their sicknesses to The Backrooms.
- Humans are exposed to isolated reservoirs of infectious organisms in The Backrooms, and upon being exposed to these infectious organisms, contract them to then spread them to other organisms that reside in The Backrooms.
- Humans bring their conflicts to The Backrooms and have increased conflict in The Backrooms.
- Humans are a gluttonous species (greedy).
Most of these Facelings will attack wanderers. Some prejudice Facelings will attempt to block people from entering or exiting certain areas of a level or try to prevent one from escaping a dangerous level. Most will try to attack individuals in order to make them flee an area they are not welcomed in.
Will outright attempt to kill wanderers.
"Hostile Without a Cause"
Around 26% of all adult Facelings will attack people without a reason. Most investigators believe that some Facelings, like most of the hostile entities of The Backrooms, harbor savage, sadistic, and predatorial impulses towards humans. Officer Wolfe revealed, and a few explorers have confirmed that some of these Facelings will even attack their own for reasons unknown. Some believe that maybe a subset of Facelings might be prone to psychosis or psychopathology, but this has not been confirmed.
This percentage of Facelings, like some hostile Child Facelings, will brandish weapons ranging from scalpels and cleavers, hammers and baseball bats, or pistols and rifles. Some have been known to carry ropes, twines, plastic bags, or duct tape for torture. Some hostile Adult Facelings with partial facial features often will have abnormally sharp or jagged teeth used for biting or eating their victims. Survivors also warn that some of them carry the Hydrolitis Plague in their saliva. If one survives being bitten, there is a 47% chance that they have been exposed to the Hydrolitis bacterium. Most hostile Female Facelings will weaponize their nails by growing them out and filing them into points. Some of these females will also coat their nails in Cashew Water and/or Liquid Pain.
Getting attacked by a hostile Adult Faceling is described as unrelenting. If one survives the attack, most limp away with fractured and broken bones, exposed muscle and bones or missing eyes and limbs. Hostile Adult Facelings will attack alone or in groups of 3 - 7. Hostile Adult Facelings have been known to attack with hostile Child Facelings or other aggressive entities.
It is not known how long Facelings live, but they possess the ability to age. Officer Wolfe claims he cannot recall his childhood and that he has felt "thirty" for a long while. He insists that time in The Backrooms exist as a blur, and for all he knows, he "could be reliving the same days several times over and be none the wiser".
Nevertheless, Elderly Facelings, like elderly humans, have a wrinkled appearance. Some of them contain moles, liver spots, and varicose veins. Most of them will have either pepper, grey, silver or white wiry colored hair. Some of the males will be balding while some of the female's hair will be thinning. 10% of the elderly population have cataracts while another 40% have presbyopia. 60% of the elderly can move around unassisted, but the remaining 40% will use canes and walkers to help with mobility. They all move very slow, and while harmless, some will attempt to "check one out". They will touch your face and body to figure out what one is. They will stop and briskly walk away after a certain period of time has passed. > Survival_ Facelings are known to be one of The Backrooms' most common entities, yet levels devoid of them still exist. Nevertheless, avoiding them and surviving an attack can be difficult, especially when they are paired up with more hostile entities and environmental dangers. The following must be kept in mind when one encounters a Faceling:
- Most adult Facelings tend to mind their own business.
- Most prejudice adult Facelings are not as interested in killing one as much as they interested in driving oneaway
- Most child Facelings will try to avoid people and will flee if they encounter a wanderer.
- All elderly Facelings are docile, though they might be curious about one's appearance and will approach them.
Most Facelings are not a dangerous to wanderers. However, one needs to constantly be wary among Facelings, as one of them may turn out to be a hostile one. Dangerous Facelings tend to be covered in blood, brandishing weapons, appear from nowhere, and are found in uncivilized, isolated, or desolated areas. They can be killed if one uses the needed weapons. There are pros and cons to trying to kill them discussed in the list below:
Firearms
Pros
- Using firing arms will give one the opportunity to kill their desired target from afar.
Cons
- Running out of ammunition is always possible.
- The firing of a bullet is loud and can alert fellow hostile entities in unfavorable times.
- An individual's aim must be good when shooting.
Melee Weapons
Pros
- Melee Weapons lack ammunition, and can thus be used without worrying about "fire" power.
- The weapon is quiet, and almost zero Facelings can scream to alert other entities.
Cons
- The weapon can break at any time, especially if it's fragile.
- The hostile Faceling must be attacked up-close which is risky and even worse if one is being surrounded.
- It takes more time and effort to kill the hostile Faceling.
> Biology_ Facelings, as aforementioned, share many similarities with humans. Their diversity favors the diversity seen in humans as they come in a variety of ages, body types and physical presentations, gender/sex, race/ethnicity and genetic variations. Most researchers argue that Facelings are a subspecies of human, but how they evolved is to this day still under investigation.
Phylogeny
Theory 1Facelings evolved from humans.
Homo sapiens to Homo corruptum?
Theory 2
Humans evolved from Facelings.
Homo corruptum to Homo sapiens?
Theory 3
Humans and Facelings diverged from an unknown common ancestor.
Common ancestor to Humans and Facelings?
Theory 4
The Backrooms itself created Facelings just like the majority of other entities.
No evolution, only creation.
Genomic sequencing revealed that Facelings share 98% of their DNA with the species of Homo sapiens. Their genome also consists of 0.58% of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis DNA, 0.33% of unconfirmed hominid DNA, and 0.19% of unidentifiable species DNA. Facelings cannot reproduce with humans, though it is unknown if they can reproduce with fellow Facelings either. It is not clear if Facelings evolved from humans, humans evolved from Facelings, Facelings and humans diverged from a common ancestor, or if The Backrooms itself created Facelings. M.E.G. Geneticists are planning to sequence and screen the genome of 500 Facelings for further analysis starting April 1, 2024 to determine the evolutionary relationship between Facelings, Humans, Hominids and Primates.
Mechanisms of Evolution
Concept 1Evolution does not have foresight.
Concept 2
Evolution is regulated by mutations, non/random mating, gene flow, finite population size (genetic drift) and natural selection.
A Faceling's appearance is similar to a human's, however, they harbor genetic defects that distinguish them from humans, and they are following:
- Several genetic mutations in genes associated with facial features. These mutations have been associated with some or all of their facial feature not developing. Example: Humans who have mutations to the PAX3 gene will developed craniofacial-deafness-hand syndrome. This condition cause deformations to facial features, deafness, and muscle abnormalities to the hands that impair their movement. Facelings who have mutations to the PAX3 gene will not develop a nose, and one or both of their ears with be missing.
- Several genetic mutations in genes associated with the limbs. These mutations have been associated with the absence of limbs or the manifestation of extra limbs. Example: Polymelia is an anomaly that causes an extra limb to manifest in various body regions. Humans and Facelings who develop polymelia have mutations in several genes that regulate how the limb develops and where it develops. Polymelia is extremely rare in the human population but occurs in 30% of all Facelings. Investigators believe that the higher frequency of Polymelia in the Faceling gene pool is the result of genetic drift. Genetic drift causes mutations to be more prevalent in a population that is small.
- Several genetic mutations in genes associated with the digits of the hands and feet. These mutations have been associated with the absence of digits, missing digits, extra digits or fused digits. Example: Polydactyly in humans involves 10 loci and six genes that contribute to non-syndromic polydactyly. Polydactyly occurs in 1 in approximately 700–1,000 live births. Polydactyly in Facelings involves 27 loci and 16 genes. Polydactyly occurs in 1 in approximately 50–120 live births. Investigators believe that the higher frequency of Polydactyly in the Faceling gene pool is the result of genetic drift. Genetic drift causes mutations to be more prevalent in a population that is small.
> Faceling Types There are only three types of Facelings. A Faceling's type is distinguished by how little or how much of the Faceling's facial features are missing.
True Facelings
True Facelings are Facelings that are missing all facial features.
(Note: 80% of all Facelings are completely faceless.)
Partial Facelings
Partial Facelings are Facelings that are missing some of their facial features.
(Note: 19.9% of all Facelings have partial facial features.)
False Facelings
False Facelings are Facelings that have full facial features but some or all of facial features will disappear due to the expression of negative emotions. Some False Facelings can blank their face at will.
(Note: 0.1% of all Facelings have full facial features that can disappear under stress or at will.)
> Existance Theories_ Evolution
Evolutionary Geneticists believe that the Faceling is a subspecies of humans. Those who subscribe to theories concerning evolutionary genetics argue that the existence of Facelings are a byproduct of humans getting trapped in The Backrooms and due to a small population size, limited mating options and opportunities, and having a high concentration of unfavorable genes contributed to the manifestation of the Facelings. This theory seems the most plausible because genomic sequencing revealed that Facelings share 98.9% of their DNA with the species Homo sapiens.
The Kauer Thesis
The Kauer Thesis suggests that for something to exist, someone needs to believe it does exist. Most people who find themselves in The Backrooms will never see another person again. Humans are social creatures and do not fare well in isolation. Theorists who believe in The Kauer Thesis insist that the Faceling is a byproduct of survivors struggling to cope with prolonged isolation.
"Humans cannot handle the thought of being absolutely alone."
Explorers report hearing voices and movement while traversing The Backrooms. Some explorers insist that they have seen people while traversing The Backrooms. A few explorers insisted that they have encountered people in the The Backrooms. Most survivors assume that what they have saw or heard were threats to be avoided, while others cling to the hope that whatever is nearby is a potential companion. Investigators believed that the hope harbored by survivors contributed to the manifestation of the Faceling.
"The few who have seen 'people' in The Backrooms recounted that the 'person' they encountered was something... someone... close to human."
The Anguish Thesis
The Anguish Thesis suggests that our sense of self shaped The Backrooms and, in turn, shaped the Facelings. Again, most survivors who enter The Backrooms must endure prolonged isolation. Survivors still cling to the hope that they might find someone to keep them company, but there also lingers the fear that they might encounter some monstrosity. Survivors also experience dissociation and hallucinations due to prolonged isolation which interferes with how one might perceive someone else. Supporters of The Anguish Thesis insist that the human desire to have companionship but the fear of running into a threat is the reason why Facelings share human characteristics along with gross physical deformities. Some theorists also argue that the Faceling's appearance also represent human distain and disgust toward human imperfection.
Collective Unconscious/Idealism Theory
The Collective Unconscious/Idealism Theory suggest that The Backrooms is a part of man's collective unconscious and manifest itself as dreams or visual hallucinations. It is possible The Backrooms is a byproduct of insanity or a fever dream. Theorist who subscribes to the Collective Unconscious/Idealism Theory believe the presence of the Faceling represents the following:
The survivor is experiencing the loss of their identity. Prolong isolation and the lack of familiarity does contribute to depersonalization and dissociation. The presence of Facelings might represent self-detachment.
The survivor is struggling to accept their situation. The presence of Facelings might represent the lack of belonging and unfamiliarity.
Current Rewriter (or... should i say obsolete lore removed): Lunon
Wikitext Maker: Xanth
Previous Rewriter: the legendary MoonlightSerenity
Original Author: AndromedaMapping1
Art Donations:
- Provided the following photos, Officer Atticus N. Wolfe (Updated image) and First Adult Faceling Image: TamanegiSensei1
- Provided the following photo, Second Adult Faceling Image: WinnDixieSweetTea