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Description

The Fading Fire, also known as Sub-Level 704, is literally a earth-like planet. The setting, atmosphere and land seems to be based, (Or is actually) on Lordran, and the lands around it from the Hardcore Action RPG game developed by FROMSOFTWARE, Dark Souls: Remastered. When the Wanderer appears in the 'level' They would be dropped by a black crow, similar to the cutscene where the Chosen Undead is dropped by Velka's Crow, after clearing the Northern Undead Asylum. One thing Wanderers should be aware of is they all of their equipment they had on them is gone, replaced with a medieval-variant, such as a sword, crossbow and phones or other types of communicating being replaced with an Orange Soapstone and all of their items they had such as Almond Water and Royal Rations replaced with a dull green flask and things like grenades swapped out with firebombs. They also possess a ring-like hole on their neck that burns painlessly, but is infact a brand of the Undead, a curse that enables 'respawning'. Also, due to being undead, Items such as Almond Water and food would of been useless in a nutrition viewpoint anyway, as Undead do not need food, sleep or water to keep going, though sleeping does wonders for the body, and is even enhanced while sleeping near one of the many bonfires scattered around Lordran. While Almond Water doesn't need to be used for sustenance, it is still used as a healing item, and when mixed with Soul Energy, a substance that is absorbed by anyone in the vicinity of a slain entity, can provide a moderate antidote for hollowing, a symptom that turns a hollowed undead into a pure hollow.

The aforementioned flask can be filled with a substance called Estus, which completely closes wounds and eases pain. Not many people know how this refills, but the source is endless, tastes pretty good, and according to the friendly NPCs, an 'Undead Favourite'. Another thing to note is that when a Wanderer dies in this level, they will always wake up at a bonfire they rested at, though now they've been skinned and are what is called a Hollow. Dying furthermore will eventually take away memories and personality traits of the person, though one can attempt to retain memory like Sanity, but telling themselves who they are. They are also easier to anger when hollowed, lashing out in bouts of rage or temporarily losing the will to act, slumping down in a heap for minutes on end, until they can motivate themselves.

Surprisingly, the 'map' of the 'game's world' isn't actually a game map, but a fully traversable world. Areas that had no collision in the game, can be scaled, walked on and even dug up. A few explorers who went beyond Lordran's walls uncovered the visible but inaccessible village area that was seen in the graveyard, northeast of Firelink. The town district had entities, such as hollows, that made that area their home. Another team managed to go even further beyond and even see other lands canon to the Dark Souls Universe such as Catarina, Astora and Carim. However, due to the Explorers and any Wanderer that leaves Lordran is Undead, any human met outside of the accursed kingdom is neutral and on guard. It is yet unknown how far the boundries go on for, but the explorers, who have long since left the level, or the backrooms, stated that they were able to go around the world once, after approximately 412 deaths, while using the in-game method of retaining sanity and humanity.

One final thing to note is that this level is your own personal level. Anything you do will not affect other wanderers' levels, and boundaries can be crossed via a special item that the Entity, Solaire holds. This enables you to meet other wanderers to soldier on together through the world. Unlike the game's version of this event, no one is actually a 'phantom' and is infact, their real, corporal form. Dying in someone else's level will simply send you back to your level, where you initially signed your name down. More on this later.

Entities

Entities from this level differ greatly from the other entities encountered from other levels. Most, if not, all entities are from the game, only this time, they are no longer bound by pathfinding or AI, and react to everything and anything around them. Most are aggressive, but there are friendly entities out there, though, fans of the game who came here still kept their distance, and felt right at home, even making names of themselves that the friendly entities will mention.

Few Notable Hostiles

There are many hostiles in this level, below are a few mentionables as there are many, many foes to count.

Actually. One can look up the Official Dark Souls enemy list to see the game-version of these entities.

Hollows

The most commonly encountered Entity in this level. Hollows differ from their in-game counterpart. for example, unlike dealing massive amounts of damage in game, here they are weak, feeble and can easily be lifted with no resistance, They mostly target anyone with a strong soul, or anything that gains soul energy. While it's difficult to tell what they carry, defeating one in battle will net you whatever rudimentary weaponry that is in their hand and some soul energy. They are virtually the easiest entity to fight, but one should not underestimate their numbers and despite their feeble frame, when wielding a weapon, they can give a pretty hefty swing, rivalling that of a professional baseball player.

Hollows are also not completely mindless, should they come across a shiner or impressive weapon, they will ditch their current weapon for it. They can also be paid off to leave the more weaker wanderer alone with soul energy.

Some hollows can even be returned to some manner of sanity with almond water mixed with the aforementioned essence though this is only temporary and they will go back to being hostile.

Hollow Soldiers and Warriors

These armoured variations of Hollows wear cracked armour on their chest and waist. They have no under armour and are barefoot with steel anklets and wristguards, reminiscent of roman soldiers. Their weapon variety is also similar, with swords, shields, spears and crossbows.

Much like hollows, they appear feeble and weak, however. One should direct their eyes to their exposed, skinned form, for one will see a thin, yet chiseled frame, suggesting that they were formidable in life and that they should not be underestimated.

Warriors lack the metal armour, instead wearing chainmail and rags. they appear to be missing a boot and lacks the roman-like aesthetic the Soldiers have. But they are much quicker, using their speed to their advantage. Unlike their game counterpart, Some of these real-life versions of the hollows seems to have retained some semblance of their former selves, acting as guards in certain areas and often gesturing wanderers to back off. Failure to do so would result in combat.

Black Knights

Clad in thick black armour and wielding black, charred equipment, these knights earn the name Black Knight. Any newbie of the game should understand the power of them and must be avoided, otherwise one faces a quick trip back to their bonfire, though since this is real-life, Wanderers can telegraph and weave through swings, as long as the knight doesn't adapt to their fighting style.

Much like their game counterparts, they do not stray away from their post, and often pay the wanderer no attention. However, unlike the game, they are not limited to a moveset, like everything else in the level, and with mix-ups and shield bashes. They are also very adaptive, if one loses their weapon, then they utilize CQC techniques, mostly military hand-to-hand to take down and kill the victim, even with their weapon, fighting a black knight for a long period of time will increase it's chances of beating you, as they eventually know what you can do, but they tend to forget this upon your demise.

Silver Knights

There are silver ones who are somewhat friendly to an extent. While unable to speak, they act as peacekeepers in hub areas, like Anor Londo and Firelink Shrine.

A Few Notable Friendlies

These entities are friendly and do not attack at all, unless they are provoked. as previously mentioned, they know of other wanderers, the goings-on of the level despite the land's timeline being screwed up. They have no knowledge of the backrooms, and seems to respond to questions about the backrooms with a confused glance, rude remark or a positive comment, stating they know nothing. Unlike their game counterparts if killed, they seem to respawn much like wanderers, and will remember them if they were the cause of their death, responding very negatively towards their assailant, unless the death was committed in a duel.

Below are a few worthy mentions.

Crestfallen Warrior

Much like his in-game counterpart, The Warrior sits on a hunk of stone. His personality is also similar with him eventually getting sick of chatter, though he'll still comment when the Wanderers chatter. Also much like his counterpart, attacking him will result in him defending himself. Unless one is pardoned by Oswald, He will retain his hostility.

He gives advice to wanderers of the level, often warning them of the dangers of Lordran, and tells them how to fight them... with as little detail as possible. Despite his cynical view on the world, it's actually possible to be in good ties with him, where he will may accompany you, though even at some points, he will return to Firelink.

Solaire of Astora

Solaire is the Warrior of Sunlight, and just like in the game itself, he retains virtually everything about him, from his jolly tone, his shining hospitality and his urge to co-operate with you. Those who find him are bound to enjoy dark atmosphere Solaire dispels and his combat skills. Stay in good ties with him, and you'll eventually learn his techniques for yourself, He is usually found on a balcony, near a long bridge, He teaches you that the world is convoluted and will hand you a White Soapstone, the ability to meet others in Lordran, but nowhere else. He is also very chatty, and asking him a variety of questions will result in a variety of answers. Simply put, this entity will be your best friend in this level, provided you keep on his good side.

He is also very strong, when asked about his rigorous training regime, he responded by saying that using a simple yet effective workout, coupled with natural combat is a good way to get stronger.

Crestfallen Knight

This entity is usually friendly, though his manners, tone and speech suggest otherwise. Many should take care not to get too friendly with him, for he is showing severe signs of hollowing, despite not being hollowed. Falling to do so results in him hollowing and attacking you.

Otherwise, he is a merchant, who in exchange for soul energy, he can provide you with a good amount of items. giving him Almond water mixed with soul energy will enable him to last much longer and his attitude towards you will be more positive. Not much is known about him other than the info above, sadly as the Original Author who detailed him eventually succumbed to the Hollowing himself and became an ordinary entity. Talking about this wanderer will make him somewhat sour and will offer advice to be extra careful, if you are on his good side.

Exiting/Escaping

In order to leave this level, one must proceed through this level as one would progress through the actual game. Much like Dark Souls, this level can be explored at your own pace with no cause or worry for concern, so long as you keep an eye on your Sanity and Humanity.

One must reclaim four souls of the main entities (the four lords, basically) and then face Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight.

Gwyn himself, deserves an Entity Detail at this point, since he is your final obstacle. He is hostile, with no ways of communicating or yielding and must be defeated in a battle to the death, his flaming bladed greatsword can slice you in two, and even when clashing with your own weapon, the heat radiating from the sword can slowly burn you. However, being fuel for the fire has limited his durability, and with a few well-timed slashes, he can be wounded and then slain.

However, one should not underestimate his charred, skinless form, for he is very aggressive and will lunge if he sees you going for your flask, backing off or even trying to flee.

When he is finally defeated, One can then ignite the fire and in the result of your body being burned.

You will escape the backrooms and wake up in the real world, or if you're unlucky, end up in a random level. However, if you do end up in a random level, while you do lose all of your items related to the Fading Fire, like Estus, Soul Energy, and firebombs, You will find your items and equipment beside you when you awaken, and your natural strength you had is retained. Some wanderers, while still cautious, were able to last significantly longer due to this.

Reports has been confirmed that the same happens in the real world, where one such survivor eventually became a pretty intimidating police officer.


This will lead to Sub-Level 705, which is yet to be recorded.

Level-Related 'Mechanics'

Called so due to the nature of this level, We've made a small description of 'mechanics' that this level possesses.

Damage

Again, unlike the Game, Attacks and anything such as fire or lightning are incredibly FATAL. Even using a shield against certain attacks can be fatal to defend against, this does not apply to just you, and other Wanderers and applies to all entities.

Rebirth and Bonfires

Upon death, the Wanderer does not fully die, nor is sent to a random point in the Backrooms. Instead, they are resurrected at the last bonfire they rested at. In addition, bonfires are scattered around the kingdom of Lordran, acting as checkpoints that you sleep at to fully heal yourself.

Hollowing

In addition to death, Wanderers lose their skin, become walking corpses called Hollows, and every death afterwards rots them further and further. The point where they eventually breakdown mentally and become mindless, aggressive hostiles is when they permanently die as a human, becoming an Entity. One can combat this fate by using a black sprite, which is called a Humanity, then resting at a bonfire. Doing so will regain one's human form.

'Multiplayer'

Nicknamed by a fellow journalist of the backrooms and those who are in the level, 'Multiplayer' is the phenomenon that enables Wanderers to meet and adventure together. Like mentioned before, Wanderers who are summoned into another wanderer's level does not become phantoms, and can even help others link the fire and either move onto another level or get home. those who die simply return to their own level. Another type of 'Multiplayer' is an invasion. A wanderer who is malicious could and will invade you, becoming an entity known as an invader.

Battles against an Invader is tricky, since it is basically another human being, with a red aura around them.

If a Wanderer is in Hollow form, they cannot interact with others physically.

However, anyone with a phone, coming into the level will instead have an orange soapstone, which can act as a texting-like way of communicating by writing on the ground. Much like it's in-game counterpart, this method can also be used to help or hinder others.

Just be careful with the messages, however, as those who are immature have made crude drawings around Firelink Shrine.

Much like bloodstains in the game, dying at any point, will leave a bloodstain at one's demise. Others can then see the death happen in real time, enabling others to tread carefully or get the hell out of the area. Also, since soul energy is a substance in this level, there is no real loss of death, besides sanity and humanity.

Humans

There is a very, very low chance that a wanderer will retain their humanity upon entering the level. Should this happen, it's prefered you get out of Lordran and make a pilgrimage to the few kingdoms, preferably Catarina. One should check their neck upon entering Firelink to determine if they're undead or not. if one dies and they are not Undead, then they will die permanently.

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