Description[]
Level 328 is a large complex of indefinitely submerged aquarium tanks. These tanks seem to be sized with the intent to fit an adult human - either that or the individual is shrunk down to properly fit the tank upon ingress into the level. The level is adorned with a variety of sea-plants such as sea grasses and duckweeds and a variety of different coral species, all of which genetically identical with those in the Frontrooms. Beyond the glass is only more aquarium, leading many to infer that Level 328 expands indefinitely. Fish float throughout the level's complex, all of a variety of different species; though it has been noted that there is a plentiful amount of goldfish within the level's premises.
Usually the first thing noticed by wanderers who enter the level, one is able to breathe in the water within the level as if it were air. Those who are fortunate enough to leave the level note that breathing in the water is 'unpleasant' at first, though it is said that within the first 10 minutes of presence this feeling begins to diminish. It is theorized that the water within the level isn't actually water, and is instead an oxygen-rich liquid allowing the body to process the oxygen. Furthermore, every wanderer who enters the level will be granted the knowledge on how to swim at a rudimentary level, this knowledge carries on with the wanderer even after they leave the level.
Circulating through the filtration system of 328 and periodically being released from it are fish flakes. A worthy though foul-tasting form of sustenance specialized for the fish of the level. The flakes are described to taste extremely bitter and unpleasant, though as the process progresses, some find themselves growing a taste for the meal. It is presumed that an indefinite amount of fish flakes are generated within the filtration pump, though some have speculated there is a form of 'caretaker' looking after the fish within the complex.
There are various plastic accessories dotted around the level, from chests to plastic fortresses. These accessories are placed with no rhyme nor reason, some even being dotted along the glass or even the roof of the level. Some have been documented as large enough to fit 2-4 small fish. Spent bottles of fish food are also found throughout the level's premises, branded with 'Goldfish Flakes' in bold text along with an image of two goldfish facing opposite directions. Perhaps these are the same brand as the fish flakes circulating through the filtration system.
The ground of the level varies depending on the room or tank one is currently within. Some are hard, white plastic, and other times the ground is coated in a sand painted with a variety of strange colors (blue, red, purple, green). Additionally, both hydrophobic and kinetic sand has been spotted on the level's surface, all of which having relatively bland colors; like a deep beige. The strangely colored sand - while not necessarily enjoyable to eat - is known to be an acceptable source of nutrients.
As a wanderer remains in the level, starting from at least one day presence within the level, their cognitive intelligence degrades to that of a goldfish in a process similar to dementia. Free will is thrown out the window as the instincts of said animal overcome the wanderer's individuality. Despite wanderers already being capable of breathing in the level, gills gradually develop on either side of the person's neck along with vestigial fins. Dead skin builds up, trapped via unknown means and becomes a structure similar to scales, enveloping nearly the entirety of the once-wanderer's body. If an individual escapes from the level prior to the completion of this process, the process halts though the effects on their body does not subside, these individuals that leave mid-way through the process typically struggle with brain damage and a plethora of identity related issues, feeling distraught at their current, fish-like form. Some of these individuals state that they see a large fish in their peripheral vision, describing it as 'hungry'. It is believed that the fish found on the level are the result of the process' completion. Genetic studies have yet to be conducted.
Interview Log[]
An interview conducted by M.E.G. agent and unlicensed therapist Emily Morrow with affected individual Margaret Myers. Margaret had underwent 78% of the changing process and had only exited the level out of pure happenstance. She emerged with severe deformities and brain damage, needing to talk via an AAC device. A coherent translation will be placed below her speech.
Emily: Hello Margaret! I'm sure you know why you're here today.
Margaret: Fish. Me.
("I am fish")
Emily: I suppose so, yes! I'm here to ask a few questions, okay?
Margaret: Yes.
Emily: Okayy... ahem... first question! How have you been feeling since the 'incident'?
Margaret: Itch. Bad. Head. Hurt. Feel. Anger. Fish. Me.
(The itch is bad, I have a headache and a feeling of anger. I am fish.)
Emily: I see. Has the medication helped in anyway? The painkillers and anti-psychotics, I mean.
Margaret: See. Fish. Don't. Leave. Fish. Hungry.
(I still see the fish, it doesn't go away. It is hungry.)
Emily: Okay, how does that make you feel?
- Margaret attempts to speak with her malformed vocal chords. A series of clicks and animalistic sounds leave her throat instead. -
Margaret: Why. Me.
- Margaret starts to shake and move like a fish out of water. Calming jazz is audible. More sounds leave her throat as she pounds on the AAC machine. -
Emily attempts to salvage the interview: "Hey, hey! It's okay... shh, it's okay. It's okay."
Margaret: "ME. FISH."
Interview was ceased. It is currently unclear whether or not it has simply been postponed or cancelled indefinitely.
Entities[]
Entity 328[]
Species falling under the umbrella of Entity 328 are both the larger-than-life fish residing within the level and the wanderers who have undergone the process. They are the sole entities within the level. It is not yet decisive whether or not these things are one in the same, though it is certainly a leading theory. Instances of Entity 328 vary in species, though seem to all be species from the Actinopterygii class. Goldfish instances of Entity 328 become exceedingly more common as more wanderers enter the level, hence the theories that these fish are one in the same with the humans who underwent the phenomenon.
Entity 328 instances have been noted to have some sort of hivemind behavior, moving in schools across the complex. It is theorized that these entities have a greater sense of smell, as they can detect the deployed fish food from miles away, often attempting to hoard as much of it as possible. Some have been noted to create burrows or reside within the plastic decorations, and have been known to store large amounts of fish flakes within these homes. When instances expire, they vanish within one minute following.
Entrances and Exits[]
Entrances[]
- No-clipping into the aquarium tanks in both Level 43 and Level 43.8 has a high likelihood of sending one here;
- Attempting to break through the aquarium glass in Level 88 will send one here.
- At the last stages of Livestock Mentality in Level 204, one could rarely act like a fish. This progressively increases the chance of entering this level at random. When one enters Level 328, their mind will reset to human-like.
Exits[]
If one finds themselves on this level, they should attempt to find an exit post-haste.
- No-clipping through the aquarium glass will send one to either Level 43 or Level 43.8;
- Enveloping oneself in a thick layer of hydrophobic sand will seamlessly send them to Level 600.
Author: Fungrly Scrunkly
woa, gemini home entertainment.