Level 52 is the 53rd level within the Backrooms. It was discovered on March 4, 1954 by Dr. Greenfield and Marshall David of the Major Exploration Group. After a few days of exploring the level, he reported his discovery to his organization, eventually leading to a thorough analysis of the level's properties.
I. Overview[]
Level 52, formally known as "The Greenfield Campus," presents a vast school campus of buildings nestled in verdant plains housing a university, the usual componential facilities and structures of a regular college campus, and several collections of apartments. As a case in point, the level possesses well-known habitable properties and strangely pleasing environments, many have attempted to establish outposts and communities. Travelers often consider it a paradise of sorts, attracting wanderers to its confines for its tranquil isolation, security, and overall likability. Due to its Euclidean geometry and the outstanding features of each sector, the location is easily navigable and convenient to map. Each entrant will land in the same building or one nearby within a radius of one to ten miles; whereas many communities and outposts exist.
The campus's layout is appropriately stable and well-categorized in an ongoing series of construction lay-in sequences—each with its own allocated sector; its precise geometry displays a neatly systematized exterior pathway, allowing simple transfer from one spot to another. Occasionally, however, an assortment of building components merge into a singular edifice, either branching out to another building, forming a bridge-like architecture (pedestrian bridge), or directly contacting each other if their proximity is exceptionally close. A few meters height of a concrete barrier and a chain link fence encircle and separate each campus; nevertheless, their inadequate height permits individuals to climb over. While the campus scarcities any entrance gateway, certain border portions are misplaced or installed in abnormal and meaningless locations, meaning one may enter and depart without engaging the barrier.
Every campus presents its own look and aesthetics, but they share many similarities in common; the most notable feature is the uncomplicated campus' internal layout. Other elements include solid concrete structures and smooth concrete/tiles/multicolored carpets flooring applied throughout all architectural structures, exhibiting virtually no signs of deterioration or mold proliferation. The exterior and interior appear painted in neutral hues on architectural motifs. These colors often include pale brown, gray, beige, and off-white. All fabrics inside the campus facility are remarkably pristine upon their initial discovery, with no signs of mildew or decomposition on their surfaces. Although the setting lacks self-cleaning properties, any imprint can remain on the structure without changing[1].
Campus buildings typically boast a moderate elevation, featuring anywhere from two to ten floors, each accessible via stairs or elevators. They consist of identically furnished classrooms filled with writing boards, audiovisual equipmentt[2], desks, seats, and other conventional teaching supplies. The same component likewise encompasses exterior window placement and desk and chair arrangements, while a few others may differ due to varying interior chamber layouts. Upon entering the classroom, all electrical equipment and ceiling lights remain closed in contrast to the building's other parts, wherein all appliances and instruments are perpetually in function.
A specific campus area holds a series of rooms, all offering a distinctive appearance and seemingly fulfilling a dissimilar purpose from the others. Particular sections are administrative offices—mimic the principal's office, administrative staff offices, and reception area; such spaces absence critical materials. Others are faculty rooms, specialized instructional spaces, laboratories, libraries, and utility rooms. The said rooms are generally vacant and missing contents or stuff that one would expect to come across. The opposite is also true; such actions deprive essential resources, for example, chemicals, books/publications, maintenance tools, and others.
The average campus comprises approximately a hundred rooms, depending on their dimensions. One can determine the number of rooms by examining the labeled signs above the chamber's entrance. In general, labeled signs include four digits; the first two digits represent the total quantity of rooms counted, the third digits means the floor one is currently adjacent, and the last digit corresponds to the number of each campus building. Despite the aforementioned, none of the classrooms possess any detail regarding their subject matter or instructional purpose, considering each seems comparable. Thus, the case also applies to the campus; it doesn't display its name or any additional data concerning itself.
Merge buildings naturally assemble an internal courtyard in the center, consisting of artificial grass and sidewalks from one gateway to the next, as they replicate the visual appeal of the outdoor surroundings. The ceiling is generally translucent or without one, which permits sunlight to illuminate the inside; alternatively, some courtyards come with a further rooftop light. Several courtyards tend to emulate parks, including lampposts, benches, garbage cans, and trees. Others may resemble sports complexes with sports courts positioned inside. The canteen is an auxiliary feature on all campuses; it lies on the first floor of a building, in a standalone structure, or sits in the courtyard area, featuring plenty of seating and vacant food stands. No food or drink sales or establishments appear in the canteen. Generally, one may find water fountains, vending machines, and lockers there; similar features are also present in various parts of the campus, particularly in the hallways.
II. Environment[]
Level 52's exterior is a plain green setting enclosed by campus buildings, with some portions left untouched. The repeated elevation increases and decreases in particular regions are unstable, resulting in a vast wavy-like pattern hillscape; the whereabouts of these locations are generally unconstructed. Rarely, however, several plain landscapes are barren of construction; relatively, an extensive rubble and gravel/sand walkway stretches between campuses. Excluding lush grass and the street, there are a few distinctive characteristics that disturb the terrain's consistency, such as a tiny assortment of flora and a long fence that serves no use.
The outer atmosphere possesses no day-night cycle or environmental shift pattern. The sun represents the sole luminous celestial object, offering the only light source; its sunlight commonly changes its intensity throughout time. Further study suggests that, at Terra's nighttime, sunlight levels are lower than during the day. Consequently, temperatures fluctuate as time passes, ranging from 50 degrees Fahrenheit (precisely 10 degrees Celsius) to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 32 degrees Celsius). Soft gales blow inconsistently around campus partly because of temperature differences between areas; many may be severe if the temperature changes abruptly. The sky is constantly blue with few clouds since the level has no water source for evaporation.
III. Landmarks[]
M.E.G. labels campuses in Level 52, most of which are designated after the first person who found the location or after another name with a logical meaning. Many campuses or buildings are tourist attractions and wanderers' hotspots, mainly due to excessive visitation and located near the level's midpoint, where most visitors first arrive.
Marshall David Campus[]
The Marshall David Campus received its name in recognition of "Marshall David," the first M.E.G. explorer who found Level 52. The campus was well-known as a popular hotspot, primarily where most newcomers ended up. The building's outstanding attributes, notably its all-white concrete structure and many hallways filled with lockers—its appearance initially led one to assume the place was a high school. M.E.G. employs this campus as an outpost and workplace. The overabundance of outsiders and non-staff members stepping into and out of the building, the frequent occasions of people ending up inside the building upon reaching a level, and the enormously immense dimensions of the building, these aforementioned are to the point that M.E.G. is unable to maintain control and decides to permit outside visitors to enter the building without acquiring permission.
Marshall David Campus is a merged of multiple campus buildings totaling five floors. M.E.G. renovated the fifth floor to operate as an administrative office for M.E.G. superior staffs, a meeting spot for discussions, a storage for critical documents, and an imperative workspace for the member group. Foreigners are forbidden from entering the topmost floor and will be sent to the previous floor if they step across. The regulation may not be enforced partly because of the floor's few safeguards. Every room will remain locked and unaccessible and only available to group members.
M.E.G. also revamps classrooms on other floors into offices for discussions, interviews/interrogations, and workrooms for ordinary group members. These rooms aren't locked; therefore, they can be used by outside passengers to meet with other travelers. The Marshall David Campus was well-known among travelers as a venue for community growth for wanderers and M.E.G. group members. Presently, the campus shows indications of degradation throughout the facility after receiving thousands of visits per month, such as indelible dirt prints on the surface, cracks in concrete parts, and rubbish strewn in neglected areas. M.E.G. has announced the application of the protocol in the building's affected areas.
J. Barry. Campus[]
J. Barry Campus is named after the mental institution's proprietor on Level 16 due to the similar look of both sites. The building is entirely constructed of painted blue or white concrete and has a smooth and gritty concrete floor. Several well-known commercial enterprises, such as Cool Mart Co., own large amounts of merchandise and supplies stored on campus. The campus is renowned for its trade and selling hub for a wide range of goods, as well as its use to transport goods to other levels, mainly commodities like medical supplies and almond water. In particular, the location is crucial for M.E.G. to purchase items for their outpost.
Through M.E.G. assistance in negotiations, each region has been divided and rendered separate for utilization by corporate groups while trying to avoid conflicts in claiming the space. The location is highly secure, with numerous security measures and fire emergencies erected inside the storage that each organization adds to its storage. The place received several alarms from outside visitors who attempted to take supplies without authorization or steal the group's stuff. Furthermore, false alarms often occur, with frequent wanderers setting off alarms for no apparent reason or security feature error.
J. Turner Campus[]
J. Turner Campus has a title after James Turner, an M.E.G. staff member who discovered the campus. The building's general design resembles Marshall David Campus's, retaining a white textile structure and merged structure; the only exception is that this campus has two floors alongside a basketball court and courtyard in the campus' core. Despite the building setting about a mile from the Marshall David campus, M.E.G. chose not to interfere with it. Currently, many tourists utilize this campus as a base and community meeting location, and extensive renovations are taking place, such as converting all classrooms into lodging.
IV. History[]
Around the 1960s—a few years after the level discovery, a widespread Sanguine Festivus infection struck Level 52. Its genesis is unknown; many believe it originated from Caius Taggert, AKA The Party Host. The exact date when the Sanguine Festivus started spreading is undetermined, as M.E.G. was unaware of the situation. A few members of the M.E.G. outpost in Level 4, most notably Hugh Simmons, raised concerns about unusual entity behavior in Level 52, but those warnings were ignored and dismissed. Following two M.E.G. operatives missing in Level 52, individuals began to report suspicious activities. Therefore, the group launched a formal investigation into the incident. On September 7, 1959, M.E.G. eventually became notified of the epidemic; by that time, the virus had already spread rapidly and widely for a couple of weeks.
However, the damage had already been done, acute to the point that casualties had risen to hundreds. The M.E.G. took every measure to prevent Sanguine Festivus from spreading to other levels by blocking all known entrances and exits. The emergency protocol forced all exits closed and inaccessible; Level 52 became locked in and imprisoned, preventing escape from the level. The contrary is true: once the gate to the level is closed, it also proves difficult for M.E.G. from other levels to transfer supply and support. M.E.G. first attempts to alert people about their predicament in Level 52, but people still enter the level without knowing what is happening.
Most wanderers had combat skills and strength but did not understand how the infection worked or the entity description. The level possessed few resources, particularly meals and drinks, and many victims unknowingly became infected after ingesting the contaminated food they found. All the previous factors led to the number of infected victims increasing. There were no photographs taken during the incident; only survivors could describe the incident, resulting in little known and missing information during the Sanguine Festivus outbreak.
Several interviews with M.E.G. member survivors indicate that the outbreak initially struck a distant campus building before moving on to the J. Turner Campus—the setting was close to the J. Barry and Marshall David Campuses, where many travelers live. The Party Crashers, the group on Level 52 at the time, safeguarded the campus and fought back all infected victims. They gathered every traveler and hunted down every Sanguine Festivus victim while M.E.G. offered clean food and drink. Furthermore, they educated people about their infective methods and how to fend off their attack.
The Party Crashers planned to assault every last Sanguine Festivus infection lingering on the J. Turner Campus. However, the infected victims ambushed them, seizing control of the J. Barry Campus. Many efforts failed to repel their attack due to them attacking and ambushing in secret without others knowing. Moreover, during that era, there were no firearms; therefore, everyone needed melee weapons for combat. The onslaught was so severe that numerous people died and were infected, leading everyone to retreat and flee the level immediately.
The tragedy claimed the lives of between 100 and 200 people, including infected individuals. When the M.E.G. realized that the J. Barry Campus had undergone an invasion, they swiftly ordered the team's members to evacuate the outpost and depart the campus. Seven members died or became infected while escaping the building. The exact fate of all travelers—including the nine M.E.G. members who remained at the J. Barry Campus during the attack—and Party Crashers members is unclear since no information is available about the attack. Many presume that The Party Crasher members led other survivors and fled to an unidentified location.
For almost five years after the incident, Level 52 became a dead zone due to Sanguine Festivus' presence. Given how quickly the horror subsided, M.E.G. launched a special operation in 1965 to exterminate the remaining victims within the level. Except for the case, the group was fully prepared, introducing many firearms, explosions, and contemporary technology of that period and allowing volunteers to join the operation. The outfit consists of armor and clothes that shield against infection-causing toxins. Finally, M.E.G. declared Level 52 virus-free after removing all infected individuals within three years.
The Great Crash is the second broad outbreak of Sanguine Festivus infection; in contrast to the initial event, this also erupted on other levels, resulting in the most known and costly episode in terms of damage. Again, the attacks don't seem to be those of the entity kind; they appear to have been meticulously organized, with Caius Taggert likely to blame—despite the lack of concrete evidence of its existence at any stage throughout the attack. The incident destroyed many organizations, particularly those with large membership bases and overcrowding. Wanderers and groups were frightened that numerous curfews happened to reduce the number of people in groups, and some outposts closed down out of dread of the attack.
The Great Crash happened on February 5, 1997, when a gathering of Sanguine Festivus attacked the M.E.G. outpost and nearby small outposts/groups in Level 2. They destroyed the outpost and infected almost everybody inside, resulting in a significant death toll of 15 killed and 23 executed later. Furthermore, they established a second assault on the M.E.G. headquarters and small groups on Level 4. They subsequently began attacking other large parties as well, annihilating a Backroom Colonists community on Level 1. M.E.G. demanded volunteers to combat every infected individual at every level after the onslaught.
Finally, they unleashed their final strike on Level 52, leading to a massive Sanguine Festivus infection outbreak. During that time, Level 52 grew to 3,000 people and became a popular hotspot. Everyone was unawared about the attack and didn't comprehend the foe they were fighting against. Even though the pandemic (40 years ago) occurred previously, many people don't know its history. Most people also don't know how to use weapons/firearms and advanced technology at the level.
The widespread began at J. Barry Asylum; the place housed over a hundred wanderers, causing a large-scale infection that eventually spread to all the other buildings. M.E.G. made every attempt to defend its outpost building (Marshall David Campus,) possessing all of the essential weaponry and supplies for protection; yet, the high number of infected victims expanded out of control, and they later abandoned the outpost. Unlike in the previous crash, the Sanguine Festivus attacked without hesitation or fear, regardless of their disadvantage. Following the collapse of the M.E.G. outpost, all outposts and settlements in Level 52 collapsed, making them far deadlier than before and forcing each traveler to fend for themselves without support or help from organizations.
The second tragedy killed far more lives than the prior incident, totaling approximately a thousand casualties, including those from other affected levels. Only on Level 2 and Level 4 was M.E.G. able to eliminate every Sanguine Festivus and get their outpost. However, all fatalities from The Great Crash on Level 52 were not in vain. The M.E.G. rapidly acquired novel details about their adversary through interviews, reports, autopsy, and various other ways. The accomplishment of this search was Level Fun discovery.
An anonymous individual on Level 1 unintentionally stumbled into the Level Fun entrance and captured the scene on camera. He later disappeared on Level 17. His camera fell into the hands of the Entity Research Committee (E.R.C.), which planned to conduct trips into Level Fun before handing over their findings to the M.E.G. The investigation discovered that Sanguine Festivus may access Level Fun through unknown means. It implies that a sizable number of Sanguine Festivus in Level 52 can also slowly move to Level Fun, suggesting that there will be fewer infected victims in Level 52 than previously. Furthermore, former Backroom Colonists staff member John C. Xione was dissatisfied with the M.E.G.'s primarily defensive approach to preventing a repeat of the Second Crash once it ended.
"They are also correct; effective defense and instructing others how to defend themselves from this threat are excellent, but the best offensive is also the best defense. We must confront them head-on," he said. The Backroom Colonists also began their raid on Level 52. While they had little influence, their cause quickly acquired traction after isolated Sanguine Festivus encounters and attacks.
On 2 September 2002, the M.E.G. approved Operation Blindside, a daring military operation on Level 52 aimed at executing every Sanguine Festivus. On 11 November 2002, 200 armed M.E.G. agents launched the attack with the help of 250 volunteers from various levels and 100 members of the Partygoers Extinction Army (P.E.A.), a tiny, militarized temporary organization. More than 700 Sanguine Festivus died from Operation Blindside. The raid was widely acclaimed as a success, terminating all Sanguine Festivus activities. It played a crucial role in Xione's appointment to operation, following which he became M.E.G. supervisor staff in 2003.
After Operation Blindside, Level 52 was in poor condition. Many campuses have bullet holes, blood stains, and damage from intense combat. Together with other wanderers, M.E.G. decides to clean up the entire campus, repainting areas to hide stains, installing modern furniture, and revamping the place. Currently, Level 52 is in decent shape compared to its initial state; it is no longer a hotspot due to tourists' concern about an epidemic. Investigation indicates that Level 52 has fewer than 100 residents. In addition to the economy collapsing, most company groups and outposts have closed and abandoned.
This is a list of all known colonies and outposts on Level 52:
- Backroom Colonists - Base Sunfire - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Destroyed since The Past Crash.
- Party Crashers - Base Emberwatch - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Destroyed since The Past Crash.
- B.W.O. - Base Uno - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Destroyed since The Great Crash.
- Backrooms Red Cross - Base Blackcross - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Destroyed since The Great Crash.
- P.E.A. - Headquarters (Temporary Outpost) - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Abandoned after The Great Crash ended.
- M.E.G. - Base Blindside - [STATUS: ABANDONED] Abandoned since The Flicker.
V. Entrances and Exits[]
Entrances[]
- Opening doors on many levels has a small chance of leading to the level.
- Emergency exits or elevators in Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 may lead to one of the campus buildings.
- Entering any sort of a high school building in Level 11 will lead to this level.
Exits[]
- Rarely, one might find doors that were not part of the structure, leading to random levels.
Footnotes
- ↑ Following the level's discovery, many nomads caused damage and defiled the building, thus leading to Major Exploration Group implementing a few procedures to secure and maintain the place.
- ↑ Despite Major Exploration Group discovering Level 52 in the 1950s, many classroom gadgets are from the 2000s. Many hypotheses suggest that the level host a time dilation anomaly.
Rewritten by WindXD.
- First Image (CC0 / Public Domain): Another day at school by u/DigitalSuplex on r/LiminalSpace.
- Second Image (CC0 / Public Domain): A "green space" being built in a hospital by u/Some_College_Kid13 on r/LiminalSpace.
- Third Image (CC0 / Public Domain): The college I work at is out for Christmas. I'm the only person in this residence hall. by Deleted User on r/LiminalSpace.
- Fourth Image (CC0 / Public Domain): college dorm hallway by u/RyukiGray on r/LiminalSpace.
- Fifth Image (CC BY 2.0 DEED): Custer County District High School, Miles City by David Schott. An image was taken at the 1921 building, Custer County District High School, Miles City, Montana, the United States.
- Sixth Image (CC0 / Public Domain): An image was taken by Unregister Fandom User.
- Seventh Image (CC BY 2.0 DEED): Principal's Office Pranked by Enokson.
- Eighth Image (CC BY-SA): нежилое помещение, площадь 9,9 кв.м, кадастровый номер 34:18:140201:373, местоположение: Волгоградская область, Николаевский район, г. Николаевск, ул.... by ТУ РОСИМУЩЕСТВА and edited by WindXD. An image taken at Волгоградская область province in Russia.
- Ninth Image (CC BY-SA): Вылазка в убежище.. by Igor Gumenyuk and edited by WindXD.
| Levels | Futuristic Halls │ J. Barry Mental Asylum │ ⍟ Abyss Inn │ Numbered Doors │ Out of Order │ Otherworldly │ The Attic │ Artistic View │ Roller Rink │ Dead Mall │ Desolate Terminal │ Video Rental Store │ Surreal Continuum │ Arabian Desert │ The Moribund Highway │ ⍟ Greenfield Campus │ Alone │ ⍟ Stairwell Of Spirals │ Shooting Gallery │ Downtown Diner│ Shocking Anomaly │ Anemoia │ Soundless Solitude │ 261 Turner Lane │ Level 13? │ A Brass Number 6 │ Grayscale Halls │ Unrecognized Landscape │ Lukewarm Hotel │ Solitude Snow │ The Tranquil Disruption │ Blue Horizon |
|---|---|
| Themes | Liminal Theme |