LEVEL 6
THREAT INDEX
Class Pending
Exit: 4/5
Exits Seldom
Environment: 3/5
Moderately Perilous Environment
Entities: ?/5
Entity Presence Indeterminable
Level 6 is the seventh level within The Backrooms. Due to its pervasive anomalous properties, it serves as a major obstruction to further exploration.
Description
Level 6 is a sprawling, barren tundra shrouded in perpetual darkness. Littering the forest floor are a diverse number of brush crops along with other natural vegetation, the majority of which are wilting due to extended dehydration. The landscape is covered in a wide variety of rock formations, typically consisting of jagged boulders scattered throughout the terrain. Some rocks have unusual markings or sharp, crystalline structures, suggesting unnatural origins. As the ground is unstable and prone to collapse, it is easy for one to lose their footing within the level; as a result, many large pitfalls are strewn about the terrain, which render large portions of the level entirely unnavigable.
Most methods of communication are entirely fruitless within the level, as electronic devices do not function and radio signals are dysfunctional. Portable light sources also do not function within Level 6, with fires, flashlights, and other lighting being extinguished upon entry, making it impossible to combat the level's oppressive darkness.
Throughout the extensive wilderness, one may come across large valleys between the mountain peaks. The ground of these clearings are mostly covered in yellow-brown grass emitting a repulsive stench. In some of these large clearings, there may be massive stone obelisks containing texts written in indecipherable glyphs and lexicons. What purpose said obelisks serve is yet to be revealed, though some theorize they are exits to other levels, or otherwise thresholds of some sort.
Auditory hallucinations are frequently experienced in Level 6, ranging from the distant chirping of birds to indecipherable voices echoing throughout the forest. It is widely believed that the level can influence one's perception of reality, resulting in symptoms such as paranoia and derealization. As a result of such factors, as well as the level's sheer darkness, Level 6 is widely considered to be a significant roadblock to further exploration, as most wanderers who enter this level either submit to Roth Syndrome or perish due to other unrelated factors.
The auditory hallucinations and paranoia experienced in Level 6 are all results of being exposed to its oppressive darkness, as mental deprivation may occur due to a lack of sleep and sheer isolation. After extended periods within Level 6, further exploration becomes significantly more difficult due to fatigue and constant, involuntary bursts of rest, known as microsleep, with the profound darkness having a detrimental psychological effect on the human body.
Subterranean Areas
Level 6 contains an extensive network of subterranean corridors, located a few meters underground. While containing the same profound darkness as the rest of the level, they are characterized by their notably dilapidated appearance. These rooms, unlike the surface areas, contain a high level of humidity, facilitating mold growth. The air of the halls is thick and dusty, with a rancid, rotting stench permeating throughout the entire complex. The fluorescent lights within these areas are cracked and dysfunctional, with some of them being ripped out of the ceiling entirely.
Similar to Level 2, a uniform network of rusty metal pipes line the walls. Opening these pipes reveals a viscous substance similar to crude oil or tar. The aforementioned fluid can also be found dripping on the ceiling and the walls, forming a dark layer of grime on most surfaces. The pipes, as well as the liquid they contain, emits a repulsive smell similar to decaying flesh or rotting produce, among other things.
In addition, entrances to cavern systems deep underground have been found, often interconnected by rickety metal catwalks. While these have been proven to exist, information about them remains ambiguous—with research suggesting they may have a connection to Level 8.
Addendum
Level 6
The intense snowfall laid a thick blanket atop the tundra—with the murky darkness making it impossible to see past a few meters. Ali is sprawled out on a rickety picnic table, his bones aching and creaking from the intense cold. The snow had persisted for a long while; hell, not even the strongest subterranean creatures would even dare to surface. Ali got up and stumbled over to the lake, filling up his bowl with Almond Water.
Jack was foraging nearby, attempting to weed out anything that could possibly edible amidst the thick layer of snow. Ali sat at the snowy table and drank from his wooden bowl. Jack took a seat next to him, quivering from the brash cold.
"This tastes terrible," Ali spoke, his English accent resonating throughout the valley. His hands were visibly scarred as a result of him quite literally freezing to death, with the nips and cuts on his fingers beginning to reopen from his erratic movements. In addition, he had a gaping, bandaged gash on his forehead from his previous encounter with a Skin-Stealer.
Jack responded: "Listen, Ali. I don't want to drink this either — but this is what happens when we get separated from our group."
"We weren't separated, they died back there," Ali snapped. He sighed, putting his head in his hands. Jack piped up once more. "I digress. We were separated nonetheless, and that is why we're here." Ali shivered. "That whole shitshow with the lights going out really fucked everything up. No singular party is to blame here. We're all damned."
"And we had to be here of all places. The worst place one could possibly be in a dark apocalypse," Jack added. Ali gave a reaffirming nod before taking another sip out of his bowl—the contents beginning to turn into a frozen slush from the frigid temperature. Ali let out a cold, shivery breath. "Well, this is certainly better than my time on earth, I'll give you that. But sitting here for days isn't going to do us any good, so I suppose we just wander around until we find an exit."
"True. Let's get going, then." Ali and Jack both stood up and walked over to the frozen lake. Breaking another hole in the ice, they refilled their containers with more water and ventured to find a way out. After what felt like two days of walking, they came across a strange underground stairwell.
"What the fuck?" Ali exclaimed. "This shouldn't be here."
Jack looked visibly concerned at Ali's reaction, looking at the sight of the stairwell—or lack thereof, adjusting his goggles. "Well, that's certainly something."
"Should we go in?" Ali clutched the gash in his head as the bitter cold nipped at the area.
Jack nodded. "Fortune favors the brave, I suppose."
"Well, that's what Elias said... and then he proceeded to kill eighteen people. What's your point?" Ali added.
"That was an isolated incident."
Ali responded, "I know." He sighed. "Well, let's get going then."
The duo had once again been drawn to the questionable pipe-ridden corridors as they had before, though this exploration was filled with the complacency of knowing just how monotonous the process was getting.
After around two-or-so hours of wandering through the mold caverns—not unlike their previous mold encounter, they turned a corner into an unusually bright hallway.
Ali adjusted his glasses. "Hold up, I see-"
Jack cut him off. "A light? A way out?"
The two walked through the door, dropping into the frigid ocean of Level 7.
Entity Presence
As most flora and fauna are in a state of decomposition, the only recorded life within the level is the abundant mold in the level's subterranean areas. Due to its harsh conditions and sheer lack of resources, Level 6 has been deemed unsuitable for habitation.
Entrances and Exits
Entrances
There are two documented entrances that lead to Level 6:
- Going through a boiler located within Level 5;
- Or a rusted door located on Level 6.1, which leads directly to Level 6.
Exits
Additionally, there are three documented exits:
- Tripping on a fallen branch, which may lead one to Level 6.1;
- Entering a hole, which will lead one to Level 8;
- As well as wandering far enough, or finding a seemingly anomalous light source, which lead one to Level 7.
Page made by Gamma.
Critiqued and greenlit by Egglord1.
Special thanks to Char—as he was a major inspiration and his helpfulness is what led me to create this page. Goodbye man.
In addition, I'd also like to thank everyone who helped me with concept development. Your help is appreciated!
