Level 298, otherwise known as "Watering Down," is the 299th level of the Backrooms. It was discovered on March 14th, 2013.
Description[]
Level 298 is an endless collection of indoor pools, with stairwells, beach chairs, and other amenities strewn about. These pools mostly contain children's play areas, with slides, games, and sprinklers. Each region of Level 298 varies uniquely; some may resemble other levels (e.g., Level 37), a 5-star hotel pool, among others. Some of the main features included within these pools are a constant repetition of the same play areas, a widespread amount of water on the walls and floor, and the inclusion of windows that display random locations. The displays of these windows alter depending on the area of the level. Level 298 also has an architecture that changes over time, what was once a staircase may now be a pool.
Some abnormally long staircases in Level 298 will end in random locations. Near these staircases, one may find a high amount of windows. These windows, however, do not display anything, just a pure white void. Once a person reaches the end, they will find themselves in an entirely different location in Level 298. This may be both beneficial or harmful, as one could either enter a place with many supplies or a region with heavy rain. These staircases are best to be avoided unless one is in an already bad situation.
One of Level 298's main features is an anomalous, everlasting rain. Strangely, rather than manifesting only in the locations on the windows, this rain occurs all throughout Level 298. Independently of whether one is sheltered or not, they will still be rained on, as the water appears to be able to effortlessly pass through walls. This rain is notably different from the average rain of other levels. The droplets of rainwater are noticeably thicker, and the rainwater count is much denser. Places with common rain will most likely form fog over time, though it will eventually dissipate. While regions with permanent rain will develop a denser fog that takes years to disappear. Typically, these locations are unfit for survival due to being difficult to see and due to the high humidity.
Level 298's rain is theorized to contain an anomalous property that causes those who come into contact with it for a prolonged time to become sadder and depressed. Their perspective on the level shifts from a "rainy paradise" to a "moody pool collection." Those who experience months of contact with the rain will eventually develop severe depression, which may lead to suicide. Medication and meditation often help to prevent such scenarios and are recommended to those in the southern, western, and northern areas of Level 298.
This depression phenomenon also manifests through the play places, although to a lighter degree. Older people may feel nostalgic for the play areas when playing on them. This nostalgia typically does not cause harm, until the 5th-8th time playing on these. The nostalgia will become a wish to go back to the past and sometimes, immaturity. If not treated, this will also become depression and then, suicide. Thus, it is recommended to space out interactions with play places and seek therapy if the situation gets out of hand.
Although Level 298's most dangerous threats are environmental, they are rare to come across. These environmental hazards are completely different from anything in the Backrooms. Windows may explode randomly; their shards will fly around everywhere, possibly cutting nearby people. The rain may suddenly become incredibly fast, slashing through people. There have also been cases where leaks of unknown origin contaminate the pools' water and infect those who swim in them.
Level 298 is considered a safe level due to the wide range of resources and overall hospitability. Most of the water in the level is safe to drink, and bottles and packages of supplies can be found floating in the pools. Level 298's temperature averages a cool 5-20º Celsius, although areas with more fog may be hotter. While wanderers report feeling a breeze, and wind can be seen through the windows, the wind does not naturally occur in Level 298; it can only be forced through other means, such as fans. This level contains a rudimentary day-night cycle, and sunlight comes in lower-than-average amounts.
Entities[]
The only entities that inhabit Level 298 are Crumbs, Predatory Doors, Kats, and Entity 41. They are all quite uncommon to encounter.
Crumbs[]
Crumbs are found in the more humid areas of Level 298. Due to being more humid, Crumbs can get through creeks more easily. This usually helps their survival, as they can enter pots and steal wanderers' food and supplies. Therefore, it is advised for those in Level 298 to hide their supplies in drier locations or seal compartments shut. Typically, Crumbs establish colonies near pools so that there is always a huge supply of water and possibly food (algae).
Predatory Doors[]
Predatory Doors are the rarest entities on this level, located typically within places one would expect to find a door. It is generally advised to avoid any doors, as most of Level 298 does not normally manifest them. It is safer for travelers to interact with doors in rainy and foggy areas, where the Predatory Door's senses are restricted, but also because these entities appear to shake when interacting with Level 298's rain.
Kats[]
Kats are the most common entities to find in Level 298. They relax along pools or chairs and are most commonly found in the eastern areas of Level 298. Kats in Level 298 have been proven to be unaffected by the rain and are less aggressive than other instances. Wanderers often keep Kats as guards to prevent Crumbs from stealing supplies. They are also kept as mere pets for therapeutic purposes.
Entity 41[]
The Entity 41 of Level 298 are more pacific than any other instances. Their rules and presumably, punishments are less strict. While it is proven that Entity 41 are more common in this level than Predatory Doors, encounters are so little not much is known about how these entities behave within Level 298.
Human Settlements[]
Groups generally avoid establishing bases in Level 298 due to a lack of resources to fight off the depression. However, when a base can counter the rain's effects, it can thrive on Level 298. Therefore, there are two major settlements within the level and several smaller outposts.
N.A.X.O.S. Base "Chinaria"[]
Chinaria is a N.A.X.O.S. base located at northern Level 298. It is the largest base at the level, with ~800 people, mostly researchers and doctors. Chinaria holds events where unused supplies are handed out to nearby travelers for free, and survival tips are provided as well. The N.A.X.O.S. uses these events to recruit new members. Chinaria is typically the settlement that most people go to when first entering Level 298, due to still being better to live in than the Auto Nexus' Dŭzhdovna.
Dŭzhdovna (Auto Nexus)[]
Dŭzhdovna is a Nexusian outpost located at the east of Level 298, a region with particularly fewer hazards. This outpost has a population of ~400 permanent residents, mostly recruited explorers and medics. It is primarily used for resource collecting. Like other Auto Nexus settlements in safe levels, funds are typically used for education and healthcare, making it one of the Nexusian bases with the highest HDI. Dŭzhdovna is known to be one of the friendliest Nexusian bases; it provides water and supplies to passing wanderers and, on certain occasions, may offer medical services to the wounded.
Addenda[]
Recovered Notes[]
Note 1[]
I was relaxing in the Poolrooms. One day, I decided to go up a staircase.
I closed my eyes. I heard rain.
Now I'm here.
While I like the rain, I don't like getting wet.
I try to shelter myself from the rain.
But I can't. It's still raining.
I did what I was supposed to.
It's not fair.
Note 2[]
Still raining.
I don't know anymore.
I haven't been at peace in weeks.
I'm always hearing the rain. It's always there, touching my shoulder.
...
I guess this is just a moody pool collection. I'm overthinking it.
I just need to find an outpost.
Recovered News Articles[]
It has been reported that depression and suicide rates have grown exponentially in Level 298. Researchers are yet to discover how this strange phenomenon is occurring. How could such a safe and paradisiacal level be causing this much trouble? What's wrong with Level 298? Maybe it's the nostalgia, or maybe stuff just isn't going as people wanted. Maybe the entity count has secretly risen lately? This is all the information we have so far; tune in for more news.
Recently, researchers noted that the eastern side of Level 298 has a lower depression rate than other regions and also has much less rain. One could say this is a coincidence; however, those who come in contact with rain more often seem to have a higher probability of developing severe depression. Researchers theorize that the rainwater of this level has an anomalous property or some toxin that makes those who touch it get depressed. Although not many tests have been done to confirm it, the ones that have happened are shocking. A majority of those with frequent contact with rain developed severe depression, whereas the others remained mentally stable or had lighter depression.
Entrances and Exits[]
Entrances[]
- Walking certain staircases in Level 37.
- Specific doors in Level 17 lead here.
- No-clipping into certain aquariums in Level 43.
- Staring at some windows in Level 71.
- Walking far enough in Level 413.
- Swimming around for long enough in Level 30.
- Closing one's eyes while in Level 102.
- Staring into the rain at Level 124.
- Submerging one's head in water for long periods sends one here from Level 624.
Exits[]
- Sinking deep into the pools may lead to deep areas of Level 7.
- Going up some ladders that go on infinitely may lead to Level 330.
- Specific doors may lead to Level 17.
- The darkest sections of Level 298 are theorized to somehow lead to Level 771.
- The more shallow pools can be used to reach Level 989.
- Going down some slides can lead to Level 71.
- Being at peace with oneself may take one to Level 280.
- Contact with specific algae may lead to Level 205.
- Prolonged meditation can lead to Level 100.
- No-clipping through a door has a rare chance of sending one to Level 611.
Author: Brigadeiro;
Photos: First photo taken by me in a hotel, other photos from Google;
Audio: The iconic Level 37 ambience, the rain ambience from Level 124, the song from here;
Critique: Cringe, Sherls, 0nly, Gamma, and Normal.
The moody rain cannot be stopped. Swim in the pools. What a day.
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