Level 202.1: "Glacial Caves"

Threat Index: Class 3

》Unsafe

》Unstable

》High Entity Count

Level 202.1, also known as the Glacial Caves or the Ice Caves, is a sub-level of Level 202. The level is believed to be somehow connected to Level 8 due to both levels being cave systems and arachnid-shaped entities inhabiting them, as well as the entrances and exits leading to and from one another.

An image of Level 202.1.

Description

Level 202.1 is a vast cave system of unknown size composed entirely of ice. The size of each cave varies, with some being so small as to be extremely claustrophobic and some being the size of houses. Rarely, one can find a much larger cave up to half a kilometer long.

Light is present in some of the caves of Level 202.1, though this light has no discernible source and is believed to be anomalous in nature. However, other caves have less light, with some even being pitch-black, making it extremely difficult to traverse through these areas.

Strangely, the ice in Level 202.1 is less slippery than regular ice, with one having a low chance of falling if one is careful. Despite this, one should still be cautious to avoid slipping and falling on the ice when exploring Level 202.1, as one is still susceptible to slipping on it if careless, possibly leading to a painful or even fatal impact. As a result, it is advised against entering larger caves, as there are fewer surfaces that one can use as handholds to keep one steady and upright.

Stalagmites and stalactites are sparsely located throughout Level 202.1, with the majority of the caves being devoid of them and the rest generally having minimal amounts, although some caves are rarely abundant with them. Occasionally, stalactites may fall from the cave ceiling, embedding themselves in the ice below or, in rare cases, unfortunate and unsuspecting wanderers. This makes it extremely dangerous to apply too much blunt force to the caves when there are stalactites nearby, as doing so may dislodge them and cause them to fall. Furthermore, applying said blunt force may also cause the cave to fall in, crushing anyone and anything inside.

The temperature in Level 202.1 varies, with the coldest recorded temperature being -20°C and the warmest being -10°C. The temperature at any given location within the level seems to be determined by its elevation; the deeper areas of the caves will be much colder than the uppermost parts.

One should be cautious to not make too much sound in Level 202.1, as this could cause a cave-in, immediately killing or burying any occupants. While this cause of cave-ins is rare, it is still advised to keep loud noise to a minimum so as not to risk repetitive and increasingly loud echoes that may damage one's ears. This is due to the caves' enclosed nature and the tendency for sound to bounce off its surfaces, creating said echoes.

Because of the natural formation of the caves in Level 202.1, they tend to look very similar to each other, making navigation in the level nearly impossible. Due to this, it is advised to set up markers in the level if one plans to travel back and forth within the level's caves. Additionally, one should not try to find other individuals in Level 202.1 unless they are likely to be nearby, provided that those individuals are able to progress on their own and do not require any immediate assistance.

An image depicting one of the rare giant ice caves found in Level 202.1.

Entities

The only entity that has thus far been documented in Level 202.1 are ice spiders, which are commonly found roaming or, rarely, nesting within the level's caves.

Ice Spiders

Ice Spiders are small but deadly entities made entirely out of ice. They have the shape of regular spiders from The Frontrooms, albeit with more jagged edges and a complete absence of hair, as well as being much larger. Additionally, they have two small, blue, glowing orbs of light in place of eyeballs, though these orbs of light still function as eyes, and even possess the ability to see in the dark, even if there is no light present whatsoever. Notably, this deviates from the amount of eyes that regular spiders have, which is usually eight or as few as four.

The ice that Ice Spiders are made of seems to be either tougher or more compact than normal, as attempts to crush Ice Spiders via smashing them with various weapons or stomping on them have often resulted in failure. However, it is possible to inflict physical harm on Ice Spiders, as various ranged and close-combat weaponry has been shown to effectively injure and kill them. Despite this, encounters with Ice Spiders are often fatal, as they still pose a large threat to wanderers, for obvious reasons and for reasons that will be elaborated on below.

Ice Spiders are significantly larger than the average spider, with the average size being 75cm long, 73cm wide, and 40cm tall. No adolescent or younger Ice Spiders have officially been discovered, though it is theorized that a small portion of Ice Spiders encountered by wanderers may be adolescents. Some believe that Ice Spiders can only be adults, though others argue that there are likely smaller instances of Ice Spiders in hidden-away crevasses not yet ready to emerge for reasons unknown.

Despite the apparent nonexistence of adolescent or younger Ice Spiders, it has been confirmed that Ice Spiders do, in fact, have nests in various crevasses throughout Level 202.1, where they randomly crawl about with no clear purpose. Because of the otherworldly nature of Ice Spiders, they are incapable of sleep and remain awake and alert at all times.

Ice Spiders never appear to tire, with reports from wanderers who encountered them saying that they never seem to slow down when chasing prey. As a result, Ice Spiders extensively wander the caves of Level 202.1 for long periods of time, whether to hunt for prey or for another unknown reason, perhaps out of some instinctual necessity.

No matter how large their prey is, Ice Spiders will swiftly attack without fear as soon as prey is spotted, making them dangerous predators. They attack their prey via slashing or stabbing at them with their legs and using their sharp fangs to bite them, often inflicting severe or fatal wounds. Notably, Ice Spiders are normally found in groups, especially when hunting, suggesting that they are pack entities. However, not all Ice Spiders do this and this theory has thus been largely disputed, though it is still considered likely.

An image of Level 202.1 showing darkness ahead.

Colonies and Outposts

Due to the extremely cold temperatures and relatively dense population of ice spiders in Level 202.1, creating a colony or outpost in the level is infeasible. As such, no one has established any colonies or outposts in Level 202.1 so far.

Entrances and Exits

Entrances

• Entering and going far enough into a cave in Level 202 has a chance to lead seamlessly into Level 202.1, often with the tunnel by which one came being replaced with more of the layout of Level 202.1, trapping one within the level until one finds a way out.
• Extremely rarely, one may come across a cave made of ice in Level 8. Going into this cave will cause the rest of the cave to fade into Level 202.1.
• Rarely, the entrance points by which one initially came into Level 202.1 will still be available afterward and one can go back the way they came to the corresponding level, although the chances of said entrance points staying decrease over time.
• Rare pits in the ground of Level 186 lead here.

Exits

• If one wanders for long enough in Level 202.1, one may find an exit that leads to the outside area of Level 202. Travelling outside will usually cause the entrance to vanish, leaving it to be replaced with a regular ice cave. This is also the most reliable way for groups to travel to Level 202, though it is not utilized often as Level 202.1 is extremely difficult for groups to enter.
• If one wanders Level 202.1 for even longer, one may rarely find an exit that leads to the caves of Level 8. Going through it will usually cause the entrance to be replaced with more of the level's caves.
• If a certain, abnormal brightness starts emerging from somewhere specific, reaching the source of this brightness will take you to Level 8.2.
• Rarely, if one arrives in Level 202.1 from Level 202, the entrance point one came through will still be available, allowing one to go back the way they came, though the chances of the entrance point staying will decrease over time.
• Finding an ice tunnel resembling that of Level 44's tunnels and going through it will lead to said level, with the way by which one came disappearing and being replaced with more of the level as soon as one looks away from it. However, there is a small chance that the entrance to Level 44 may instead just bear resemblance to the level's tunnels and not actually be an exit.

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Author: Forknife

1st Image: pxhere
2nd Image: shutterstock, edited by me to get rid of the bottom caption
3rd Image: pxhere
Background Image: Wikimedia Commons
Survival Difficulty Icon: Made by Scutoid and edited by me using Pixlr

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