Contents
Description
Wretches are humans who have been mutated into red skinned zombie like creatures by the effects of insanity. Wretches can vary widely in appearance and can be categorized into various types. In general, a type of wretch will be associated with a specific level, such that all humans in the process of turning into an wretch on a given level will turn into the type that is associated with said level. The most common form of wretch (and the one theorized to be associated with level 0) is a red skinned humanoid with a massive smile. It has been found that some wretches can evolve into even more dangerous entities such as Riots, Smilers or Voidforms.
Behavior
Photo of a supposed Stage 4 Insanity
Wretches are almost always hostile, but other then that, their behavior varies wildly. They carry weapons and tools like Firearms, Grenades, Melees, etc. However, they have confirmed sightings of wretches wearing Night vision Goggles, Body armor, Helmet Face Shield and Riot Shield. Rarely, You will encounter a group of 5 wretches armed with 2 Flamethrowers, 2 Assault Rifles and a Machine gun. Some wretches will form groups whereas others will remain solitary. Some will actively hunt humans while others will choose an area to live in and only kill humans who enter their area. Other entities in the backrooms tend not to hurt wretches, sometime even forming "packs" with them.
Stages
These are the stages that a human transforming into a wretch will pass through.
Stage 1
During stage one, a human will become insane. Symptoms of insanity can include schizophrenia, psychosis, or any known mental disorder. Almond water can usually cure them of their insanity.
Stage 2
During this stage their skin will begin to become red and raw. Almond water can cure them but they may still have permanent scars on their skin.
Stage 3
Their body will gain further traits of wretches. If they are of the "normal" variety on level 0, then they will start smiling constantly and lose the ability to change their expression. They will scream in pain if they are fed almond water. Giving them enough almond water will usually kill them but there have been some cases where they returned to sanity, albeit with horrible physical deformities.
Stage 4
They are a full wretch with all of the traits of their type. Nothing can cure them. There are rumors of a benevolent 4th stage wretch but these are unconfirmed.
Further evolution
Some wretches have been known to evolve into even more dangerous entities such as Riots, Smilers and Voidforms. There is very little information on this topic so the exact process by which this happens is unknown.