The calming, yet eerie tunes play in the distance.
Level 81 is the 82nd level of The Backrooms.
Description[]
Level 81, colloquially known as "Don't Happy, Be Worry" takes the appearance of a long-abandoned complex that consists of a seemingly infinite number of corridors featuring white and blue walls, concrete floors and black ceilings. Parts of the level additionally contain a large variety of machinery, namely pipes. The level's hallways are excessively cramped, with the amount of space one has being purely decided by the overall architecture and machinery found within the corridors, though some of the halls are completely inaccessible due to their layout and design.
The level features two floors which are interconnected by concrete stairwells that can be rarely found within the many corridors. It is unknown why there are two floors, as both of them are completely identical with little-to-no changes present.
This level, like many others, contains confusing geometry which is thought to be non-Euclidean. The layout is constantly changing and is, thus, very unstable. For example, one may walk in a loop without them even noticing, sizes of hallways frequently change. the instruments suddenly change to another position, et cetera. Level 81's geometry causes severe mental hazards, as it makes individuals believe that they are mentally insane while it is just one of the level's properties.
The walls that make up the majority of Level 81's space are theorized to be unbreakable, and they are impossible to no-clip through. Level 81's floor, while strong, can be broken and no-clipping or jumping through it will lead to The Basement. Due to its high placement, the ceiling is nearly inaccessible without the use of ladders, so what lays over it is unconfirmed and undiscovered.
While the level's true purpose is yet to be discovered, it is theorized that the level is supposed to be a music school with severely illogical design. It is thought that the level is a music school due to the many instruments that can be found within it; pianos, guitars, violins, harps, drums, et cetera are all commonplace. These instruments follow the level's "confusing" theme, as they are often found in spaces in which they can be considered out of place.
The instruments feature many abnormalities which differentiate them from the ones that would be found within The Frontrooms. A majority of them are out of tune, louder or quieter than usual, and some of them completely refuse to play no matter what one attempts. If an instrument contains a button that makes it play louder or quieter, it will not work and attempting to press it will instead make it produce an irritating static-like sound.
This level also contains a few "normal" pieces of furniture, such as desks, chairs[1], tables, cabinets, and so forth. The cabinets are the most resourceful things within Level 81; they commonly contain resources needed for survival such as Almond Water and lunch boxes which typically contain sandwiches.
Many fluorescent lights can be observed on the ceiling, though they are always turned off. Despite this, a majority of Level 81's area is lit with an invisible light that has no determinable source. The space will not get lighter nor darker no matter how far one explores.
At all times, a slowed and pitched down version of Bobby McFerrin's song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" plays in the distance. Peculiarly, the song contains no instruments, only finger snapping and vocals, this may mean that an unknown entity is singing, or alternatively playing the song via an unknown tool. Similarly to the level's light, the music does not get quieter nor louder the more one progresses. Level 81 has appropriately been named "Don't Happy, Be Worry", as instead of being calming, the song becomes eerie and unsettling to the point of it causing panic attacks.
Additional Information[]
Even within such a realm as The Backrooms, Level 81 intrigues me the most of all the levels I've passed through already. To outsiders, an assortment of never-ending hallways may not seem that eerie, but in this place, it surely is. This, combined with the ever-changing layout, makes exploring and properly understanding this space exceedingly difficult.
However, if I eventually exit this place, I will not keep it as a bad memory, as there are a few qualities here. I played the piano back in school, and I almost forgot about them completely, but seeing one of them, especially in The Backrooms, really invokes a feeling that I can't describe within me. Whether it be nostalgia or excitement, all I know is that it's good.
Better yet, I haven't encountered a single entity within these sets of corridors. While being isolated within a familiar space like this doesn't feel good, being assured that no one is there to interrupt you surely is.
It'd be rude to interrupt the performance, wouldn't it?
Sentient Presence[]
Piano Crawlers[]
Piano Crawlers are the only entities that are confirmed to dwell within this level. They-while not necessarily dangerous-frequently scare unsuspecting wanderers. As their name suggests, they hide within specifically pianos, and once a wanderer is near them, they will jump out and attempt to scare the individual. Their physical appearance resembles that of a normal light-worm with no noticeable features that separate them from the ones found within The Frontrooms. It is unknown if they are able to cause damage to wanderers, as their minimal size makes it nearly impossible for them to assault wanderers; however, if a large quantity of Piano Crawlers were to attack a wanderer, they could cause severe injuries especially if they enter the desired target's body.
Colonies and Outposts[]
Unlike most other levels of The Backrooms, Level 81 has no isolation effect and lets more than two wanderers meet up. However, no colonies nor outposts have been established as of now
Entrances and Exits[]
Entrances[]
- Picking up an instrument related book within Level 80.
- No-clipping through a piano within Level 96.
- Climbing out of any window in Level 525.
- Wandering for indefinite amount of time in The Grid.
Exits[]
- Tripping on an instrument will lead to Level 82.[2]
- One can enter Level 610 via as-of-yet unknown means.
- A small brick bridge is able to materialize within the level at any time. Touching the bridge will lead to Level 13.
- Breaking through the floor leads to The Basement.
Footnotes
Author: Lunon
First Image Source: Post on r/LiminalSpace, found by searching "Piano". Image is free to use.
Other Image Sources: i forgor where i found them but if u reverse image search youll find it. (they're all from the same website so it wont be hard)