Level 166 is the 167th level of the Backrooms.
Level 166, commonly referred to as Mineral Abundance or just Minerals, is an anomalous, expansive desert, stretching well over the horizon. The landscape is mostly barren, with a semi-arid climate. Rainfall sometimes happens over a few places, totalling to an average of 300-600 millimetres of precipitation; higher than that of similar areas in The Frontrooms. With rough terrain and fine sand, as well as regular windy conditions, dust storms are common in the deserts of the level. These storms can last for a few minutes, with some large ones lasting for hours.
The level has an inconsistent day/night cycle, with the length of each half having a time difference of ±3 hours. During the day, the surface temperature skyrockets up to 52°C (325.15 K), likely enough to scorch one if they stay out for too long. At night, it drops almost below freezing due to the very dry air, making the overall environment hostile. Wanderers will rarely find shade due to the scarcity of such areas, though bases can be located near places with a high mineral abundance.
Upon walking around, one can see a variety of different plant life present on the desert grounds, with many properties that vary between all species. Some of the more common, observed properties present in plants includes high levels of deadly poison; an unusual growing pattern and deformed, poison-filled buds. Over time, these parts would then crystallize into one of 6,126 official minerals recognized by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). The mineral it forms depends on the plant species, soil acidity and rainfall; although the exact nature behind the crystallization process is still unknown.
Many minerals has also been found to seemingly "growing" off the ground in patches, creating a colorful array of different crystals on the ground. These crystals thrives in native soil, but all subjects replanted in different soil either grow very slowly or dies off. Several types of minerals in different categories and classes has been found consistently, some being very valuable and useful. Most of the crystals growing possess razor-sharp points, which makes for a hazard if unluckily fallen into.
Wanderers have sustained minor and serious injuries from tripping and falling into them, some even dead from blood loss. Many minerals such as Weeksite, Tobernite, Stibite, Chalcanthite, etc. can be found growing off of the plants and the ground. The minerals are toxic, with the first two being radioactive, causing irreparable harm upon contact. Therefore, it is highly recommended to be cautious and wear proper equipment while trekking in this level.
Currently, the most reasonable theory for the crystallization process is that the poison created from the plants acts as a medium for the crystal to form, and other properties such as cellular structure, soil acidity, rainfall, etc. influence what grows. This is further proven by a test conducted by I.I. researchers, which shows different results from the same type of plant.
Plant crystallization can be minimal, partial and total. All three types have been observed to begin this process on the leaves and base of themselves, usually at random intervals, where the poison accumulates the most. The composition of the poison types and the reason crystallization begins hasn't been found, but crystals usually starts forming around the liquid, then spreading to suitable cells, and finally becomes a chunk of mineral. The process ends if nothing is left to grow off of.
The crystallization types are given depending on the amount of minerals produced. Minimal crystallization has no visible minerals in the surface, while total crystallization covers the entire plant in a set mineral. They have also been found to coexist on plants, usually from the same group of minerals, in a similar process to twinning.[1]
The plants' cryptic nature has brought many researchers and wanderers to the level. It is also important for the production and manufacturing of various metals, such as aluminium, titanium, iron, etc. Much of the minerals required for the production and manufacturing such as bauxite, rutile and hematite is present in the level.
The minerals found here by an explorer group, such as the M.E.G, would then be transported by equipment or people, which will then be processed and converted to raw metal in industrial levels. These metals are used to build various transportations, armors and weapons, such as the Kalthoff Rifle, the C24N Seborna and the ANARKM-12.
Because of the minerals' importance to the manufacturing of these weapons, many colonies and outposts of different groups have been built here to consolidate control of mineral-rich areas. This in turn also makes those areas conflict-prone, with various groups and factions fighting to get more territory. Several different treaties has been made by the M.E.G. and the Republic of Aurielle, but they all were unsigned by others, disagreed with or broken just after a few days.
With the amount of minerals here, many attempts to create bases were made, but nearly all of them had failed due to the hostile environment of the level. However, most of those that do succeed are present near mineral-rich areas. Only a few successful bases has thrived outside said places.
- This base belongs to an I.I. unit of 13 members sent to research this level.
- Willing to trade for research equipment.
- Willing to accept refugees. Must ask to become a member.
- Allies with Megabase Thermokýmansi, and enemy of Megabase Eremol.
- Consists of 520 M.E.G. members, whose main goal is to farm and collect minerals.
- Willing to trade for bauxite, rutile and hematite.
- Willing to accept new members.
- Enemies of Megabase Thermokýmansi. Not necessarily enemies of I.I Base A-23.
- Consists of 445 Auriellan people, whose main goal is to collect minerals for industrial productions.
- Willing to trade for bauxite, rutile and hematite.
- Willing to accept new members.
- Allies with I.I. Base A-23, and enemy of Megabase Eremol.
- A raid group notoriously known for using Weeksite in the form of small-scale explosives. Total members unknown.
- Not willing to trade.
- Willing to accept new members as raiders.
- Dislikes other groups.
- A group of 3 people whose sole purpose is to collect crystals for collection.
- Willing to trade for different minerals.
- Willing to accept new refugees.
- Never interferes with other groups.
- Vandalization group. Not much information known.
- Causes damage to bases in the mineral-rich area.
Many easy and consistent methods of entrances have been discovered that leads to this level, but there are almost no exits.
- One can no-clip in a crystal-like formation in Level 165, which will bring them here.
- Alternatively, no-clipping through a desert plant, such as a cactus or tumbleweed in Level 13, will lead here. This is currently the most popular entrance method among wanderers.
- Finding and inhaling glowing powder suspended in Level 38's air also leads here. This method is strongly discouraged since the powder was found to be Asbestos, a toxic mineral that can damage one's lung beyond repair if inhaled.
- So far, the only exit found involves finding and no-clipping through a patch of daisies growing out of the desert grounds, which will lead one to Level 167.
PoisonousShadows. It's me. Hi. Thanks to everyone who critiqued my level!
- ↑ Two separate crystals sharing some of the same crystal lattice points in a symmetrical manner.