Exploring and documenting the Backrooms... To help the lost become found once again.
"Most of us are trapped here by circumstance. We couldn’t explain how we ended up here. We were scared, alone, uncertain of the future. These things caused us to overlook the fact that there was an opportunity that stood before us. An opportunity to explore, document, and even build something new. This may not be where we belong. For all we know, maybe we were never supposed to be here, but here we are. Perhaps we may make it back home one day. Perhaps we’re stuck here forever. Either way, we have a whole other reality before us, its limits and possibilities still to be discovered. We should seize this as an opportunity to study, learn, and explore as much as is deemed possible. Through this, we can help others that have met a fate such as ours, and perhaps, we may one day go home and show the rest of mankind what we have uncovered.
This is our mission. This is our purpose here. Do not lose faith, those of you who are trapped here. A new opportunity awaits. "
- Lambda Leader
Contents
Origins
The Research for Interdimensional Fissure Traversal Tasks Group [R.I.F.T-TG] is an low-profile, yet influential group in the Backrooms. Founded by five Wanderers who came together through circumstance in [REDACTED], its primary function is to explore, research, and document the Backrooms in their entirety in an effort to better understand them. They seek to help their fellow human beings who find themselves in this unfortunate situation and promote community and collaboration.
Over the course of their development, they have accumulated many allies and resources, which makes them a formidable faction in the Backrooms. They trade with many other factions for resources, equipment, and information and do their best to keep the peace wherever they go. They are even allied with the M.E.G., with whom they trade their exploratory findings for open trading and alliance. However, do not mistake their peaceful leanings; they are not afraid to take up arms against whoever or whatever threatens them or their goals, should they need to.
Each operative is properly armed and trained for various scenarios which are common throughout the many Levels of this liminal reality, and teams are all adequately supervised to ensure nothing goes wrong, whether internally or externally. R.I.F.T-TG manages all their operations with the utmost scrutiny, with each Division working together with a form of “Checks and Balances” to ensure one Division does not have the ability to overrule the others. Through this, they maintain strong composure and effectiveness, even during times of great emergency.
Leadership
R.I.F.T-TG is primarily lead by the Operational Consensus, which is a council consisting of the leaders from its five divisions in the Backrooms. Each one represents the various needs recognized by their Division and brings it to the attention of the whole. From here, the Operational Consensus will attempt to resolve the matter in whatever way they can, through flexibility and collaboration. This process often involves sharing and reorganizing resources either acquired by or reserved for a particular Division, but it may also be as simple as sending additional personnel from one Division to assist another.
When important decisions must be made, the Operational Consensus will assemble to come up with the best course of action. The leaders of each Division will have consulted their advisors, lieutenants, and other high-ranking, experienced field operatives in an effort to establish a clearer picture of the situation to bring to the other leaders. When the meeting has concluded, the solution always comes in the form of a unanimous decision. This can range from choosing one of a few established choices to making a compromise between multiple points of view.
When all else fails, and a resolution cannot be reached within the Operational Consensus, the final decision then falls upon the Lambda Leader. This position refers to the leader of the original five that founded R.I.F.T-TG. Typically, he merely oversees everyday operations and Operational Consensus meetings but never takes direct command except when occasionally working as a field operative. He only assumes complete control of operations when absolutely necessary. When the need arises, he will take on the responsibility of making the choices that others cannot. Once the matter is resolved and the situation is stabilized, he returns command to the Operational Consensus.
Divisions
Recon Division
This Division manages exploratory and evaluative efforts throughout the Backrooms. They are responsible for the assignment, deployment, and supervision of Recon Teams as they accomplish a variety of tasks, whether it is simple patrol duty, exploration of undiscovered Levels, or even escorting resources through established supply lines. The Recon Division also collects reports from these teams and submits them for documentation and research.
Science Division
This Division stays mostly within the confines of R.I.F.T-TG laboratories. They manage all scientific experiments and are tasked with answering the question of how the Backrooms function the way they do. They take in all data, samples, and reports submitted by other Divisions and use them to develop explanations and the “why” behind the many anomalies of the Backrooms.
Research Division
While at first glance, it may seem redundant of the Science Division, the Research Division has very different responsibilities in comparison, though the two often work hand-in-hand in all scientific endeavors. This Division’s primary function is to collect data, samples, and overall information in the Backrooms. In essence, they are the scientists who work outside the lab. Groups of three are sent out with exploration teams deployed by the Recon Division to investigate unknown areas, anomalies, and Entity specimens secured in the field. Objects and places of interest are given a preliminary analysis to determine the safety and plausibility of interacting with it and taking samples, then brought back to the Science Division if deemed secure. Operatives in the Research Division, while armed, do not typically engage in any combative scenarios, but instead rely on their assigned exploration teams to protect them.
Combat Division
This Division handles all military matters in R.I.F.T-TG. While not all weapons and tactical equipment are in their possession (to prevent an imbalance of power), they work with the other Divisions to give all operatives the training and equipment they need for field work. They also handle all major conflicts involving R.I.F.T-TG, whether it is with a sudden influx of hostile Entities, another faction with which diplomacy has failed, or even simply managing a designated quarantine area.
Outreach Division
This Division is responsible for managing external affairs. They handle all recruitment efforts in the Backrooms, from broadcasts to the individual evaluation of potential recruits. They determine who does or does not officially join R.I.F.T-TG; those that do not (normally due to untrustworthiness or some kind of mental or physical disability/insecurity) are escorted away to a safe haven, such as a third-party outpost or Class 0 Level, while those that do are accepted and sent to their assigned Division for a final evaluation before training. The Outreach Division also handles relations with other factions in the Backrooms, such as the M.E.G., and manages the diplomatic side of any conflicts that arise.
Personnel
This is a list of common personnel that operate across the Backrooms. Each are outfitted with specialized equipment suited for their intended purpose, which will all be specified below. Note that this list contains only personnel that are commonly seen operating in the field.
Reconnaissance Operatives
These are the operatives supervised and deployed by the Recon Division, and they are the most common type of R.I.F.T-TG personnel seen in the Backrooms. Outfitted to travel light, but not unprepared, their equipment is compact, and their supplies are meant to last for as many days as possible until a resupply is needed. Their purpose ranges from exploration, to supply running, and even to patrol, when no other assignments are available.
Outfitting:
Apparel: Wears common, everyday clothes that are well-suited for travel (i.e. jeans, cargo pants, sweaters/hooded jackets, etc.), which are augmented by light combat armor and other protective harnesses; these sometimes may be infused/combined with clothing, rather than appear as separate pieces of equipment.
Sidearm: 9 mm pistol of the operative’s choice;
Secondary Weapon: FN P90;
Additional Supplies: Provisions are composed of dense, high-protein foods for more compact, easily accessible, yet fulfilling sources of sustenance; various tools are also chosen and carried solely by the operative, ranging from basic rope, to multi-tools, to different types of medical supplies; it is left to the operative to prepare themselves to be ready for any scenario.
Engineering Operatives
This is an specialized type of scientist that is occasionally deployed by the Research Division. Normally accompanied by Recon Teams, their purpose is to assist in finding or making a way around obstacles, testing the environment for anomalies using advanced equipment, and even using their knowledge to provide support in a combat scenario.
Outfitting:
Apparel: Often seen wearing a jumpsuit with protective augmentations similar to what Reconnaissance operatives are seen wearing; may also be wearing similarly-augmented lab coats/lab apparel;
Sidearm: 9 mm pistol of the operative’s choice;
Secondary Weapon: Commonly an MP5 or MP5K, based on the operative’s preference and experience;
Additional Supplies: When traveling with Recon Teams, they will carry their own personal reserve of food, along with any tools they deem necessary for engineering needs in the field.
Combat Operatives
This type of operative is reserved for armed conflicts in the Backrooms, usually with other factions. They also handle situations that require additional firepower, such as the escort of important cargo, and the defense of established R.I.F.T-TG facilities.
Outfitting:
Apparel: Equipped with full combat gear, complete with flak jackets, protective armor for each limb, and specialized helmets outfitted with night vision, thermal vision, and a comms system linked to R.I.F.T-TGfrequencies;
Sidearm: .45 caliber pistol of the operative’s choice;
Secondary Weapon: M4 Carbine, AK-47, FAMAS, or SPAS-12; weapon choice and attachments (as well as the presence of an heavy weapons) vary based on operative’s preference and specialization;
Additional Supplies: Mostly consists of ammunition, explosives, and tools, but some sources of food and hydration are present as well, though most food is kept separate with a team assigned to overseeing cargo; Combat Operatives are not normally in the field for extensive periods of time, so massive food reserves are not deemed necessary, in most cases.
Containment Operatives
These operatives handle the most hazardous of situations. Considered an extension of the Combat Operatives, they handle any situation that involves hazardous environments, unpredictable anomalies, and/or an unusually high Entity count. This often involves either the quarantine of an area or the determination of a source or cause behind the anomaly in question. They are some of the toughest operatives in the Backrooms, as they are trained to keep their composure under uncertain circumstances.
Outfitting:
Apparel: Wears custom-built, black-and-orange Hazmat combat suits specific to R.I.F.T-TG, which take all the conventional functions of a Hazmat suit and combines them with the benefits of the armor worn by Combat Operatives, striking a balance between protectiveness and mobility; suit is complete with reusable air filters, night vision, thermal vision, and prototype sensors that attempt to keep track of anomalies in the environment;
Sidearm: .45 caliber pistol of the operative’s choice;
Secondary Weapon: FN P90 or UMP45 (operative’s choice)
Additional Supplies: Due to the nature of the scenarios in which Containment Operatives work, they do not carry food or hydration supplies; supervising personnel keep these outside the area of operation for before and after the assignment; Additional Supplies consist of ammunition and explosives, along with medical supplies and suit sealants for emergencies.
Lone Wolf Operatives
These operatives are among the most elite in R.I.F.T-TG. Rarely ever seen in the Backrooms (mostly due to not wanting to be seen), their job is strictly intelligence. Preferring to work on their own, they are able to take on assignments in exploration, sample collection, and, on occasion, gathering information on other factions as a precautionary measure for any future conflict.
Outfitting:
Apparel: Varies greatly between each individual operative, though they all tend to adopt a similar style to Reconnaissance Operatives;
Sidearm: FN Five-seveN;
Secondary Weapon: No designated firearm, operative’s choice;
Additional Supplies: Varies between operatives, due to Lone Wolf Operatives’ autonomy in the field.
