[Difficulty: 2.4/5 (Mild Sanity effects and rarely entities.)]
[Entity Count: 2/5 (Entity encounters are rare but are aggressive.)
[Chaos Gradient: 3/5 (Almond water causes temporary paranoia and hot boiler rooms, making this level severely chaotic.)]
[Symptoms: Paranoia, and a strong presence of being watched, especially in groups.]
[Dangerous: No]
Contents
Description
Level 5 is an infinite hotel complex, with many rooms and halls. The level itself seems to have been constructed in the 1930's, with furniture dating back to 1920. There are three main areas in Level 5: The Main Hall, The Beverly Room, and The Boiler Room.
The first ever photo taken in Level 5. Taken in 11/24/2004.
The main hub of this area is the Beverly Room, often referred to as "The Eternal Ballroom". The gargantuan room has two doors on the west wall and two doors on the east wall, each leads to a different area of either the hotel or the boiler. It only contains a small Art Deco table in the center, illuminated by a large chandelier. On the table is an unfinished game of Mahjong. Attempting to mess with this game teleports you to Level 2. All the entrances are marked with a small copper sign reading, "The Beverly Room", as one might see in a hotel banquet hall.
The second area, known simply as "The Boiler" is a series of large cobwebbed hallways with high ceilings and stained plaster or concrete walls. This area contains many barred-off areas with large pieces of machinery. The long corridors are hot and dry and the scent of smoke fills the air. Pipes and exhaust valves from the early 20th-century line some of the walls. Some of the larger rooms have Roaring 20's era furnishings and details. Many have reported the sounds of whispers from the large face-like boilers. There are currently three reported early 20th century elevators within the boiler and it is advised to avoid them at all costs.
A photograph of the Boiler Room, dispicting one of the machines, by an unknown photographer
As with all levels, there is a constant buzz of iridescent whenever traversing this level. People have also reported the sounds of faint big band swing jazz music and distant party chatter. This level is infamous for its mysterious whispering and unseen presence. That, along with the stares of the face-like wallpaper and 1920s era machinery can cause a major loss of sanity, which is why one will need almond water to survive at this level. Luckily, it can be found from leaks in the ceiling on this level. But Almond water will somehow cause temporary paranoia within this level, so it is advised to enter Level 5 without Almond water.
A large proportion of wanderers made rumors of a dangerous entity known as the "Beast of Level 5", a tall scaly humanoid wearing a suit and tie. It has been described as having a humanoid body with the head of a cephalopod, with tentacles surrounding it's face. People have claimed it has camouflage abilities, and they say its glowing eyes staring at them from the wallpaper occasionally. It is unknown if this Beast is real or a hallucination, as it doesn't resemble any of the other Entities seen on Level 5, and has only been reported by those with low sanity, although rumors of it all have very similar descriptions.
Communities and Outposts
There are two communities on this level.
The Originals
The Originals have set up in the large “lobby” of the hotel section. They are a group of people who have been trapped in the Backrooms from about 1030 and 1940. They are suspicious of anyone from later or earlier periods and keep to themselves. They are willing to trade goods with passersby but are reluctant to trade with other major colonies. The majority of people in this colony were trapped in the Backrooms after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. Notable members include Amelia Earhart, Dorothy Arnold, John Jacob Astor IV, and Capt. Edward Smith.
Union: Base 04
- Consists of 70 permanent operatives.
- Food and supply is restocked weekly.
- The base leader is known as "Jacob".
- Friendly and open for trade.
Entrances and Exits
Entrances
The only way to enter Level 5 is to navigate a office-style stairway in Level 4.
Exits
The only way to exit Level 5 is through the shadows of the Boiler Room, which will lead deeper into Level 6.