Level 108 - "Fertile Grounds"
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Level 108 - "Fertile Grounds"
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Warning: If you have entered this level unexpectedly, please read this Survival Guide before continuing to read this file. Your immediate safety may depend on it.

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LEVEL
108

SURVIVAL DIFFICULTY
CLASS 4

Exit: 3/5
Difficult to Exit

Environment: 4/5
Extreme Environmental Risk

Entities: 5/5
Hostile Infestation

forest2

Description

Level 108 is dominated by a verdant, primeval forest, beyond which lies the fractured remains of the once vast level. These unique areas have been designated as the stable zone, Craterwood Forest, and the outer limits, known as the Hauntwood Expanse.

haunt

Craterwood Forest

Craterwood Forest is an estimated three hundred thousand square kilometers of unbridled growth. This zone has a temperate climate, with higher elevation areas having a generally lower temperature. Level 108 displays a non-standard diurnal cycle comprised of twelve hours of daylight and eighteen hours of darkness. This is not the only cycle to affect Level 108, as the forest floor exhibits cyclical vertical lift on a scale of centimeters over hours, producing a slow, rhythmic movement.

There are flooded areas of the forest that form around fissures in the forest floor that radiate from the central crater. While some areas have shallow footing, the cracks they form around have depths of nearly three hundred meters. It is highly suggested to avoid these areas when traveling on foot. The water found here is not safe to drink due to containing a vast array of pathogens, bacteria, parasites, and other entities.

The vegetation in the Craterwood Forest grows larger the deeper you travel towards its center, with some trees measuring nearly two hundred meters high. With the increase in size and density comes a corresponding rise in the biological diversity, forming a unique and complex ecosystem.

At the center of the forest lies the titular Craterwood Crater, from which a mutagenic mist is released in synchrony with the subtle movements of the level.1 Due to the abundant presence of hostile entities, the mist, and an unexplained electronic interference, investigations of the crater and its immediate surroundings have been limited.

The Mutagenic Mist

The pervasive mist is a phenomenon that originates from the Craterwood crater and radiates in a wave across the level, eventually coalescing in the Hauntwood Expanse. Testing of mist samples revealed the presence of a previously undiscovered microscopic entity. The contagion is capable of drastically altering its hosts' DNA, causing significant mutations in both the flora and fauna of the level. This, in conjunction with an increased growth rate and apparent bio-indefinite mortality, has led to the creation of millions of unique organisms.

Another key aspect of the contagion is the acceleration of reproductive processes. Upon reaching maturity, organisms will produce far greater offspring than what would be considered normal for comparative genuses. This mutation occurs in almost all organisms through either syngamy, fission, budding, fragmentation, or parthenogenesis.

Though capable of affecting both plant and animal cells, the mist has a different effect on each. The contagion causes extreme mutations in the physiology of non-floral entities. Alternatively, plants typically only have increased reproduction cycles, accelerated growth, and more subtle physical/behavioral deviations from baseline.

Exposure to the mist and the microorganism it contains will cause irreparable damage to wanderers. The effects of the contagion are immediate and irreversible—extreme caution is advised when traveling within the level.

Entities

Unique entities found within Level 108.

The mutagenic mist transformed what is assumed to have been an already diverse ecosystem into a breeding ground for millions of divergent evolutionary lines. Some mutations have lead to predatory amalgamations, amorphous masses, chimeric entities, and other biologic oddities. Just as often, these creatures are grotesque vessels of reproduction—living short, painful lives before birthing an abundance of new aberrations. Despite this diversity, there are several stable species that have developed to fill niches in the ecosystem, examples of which are described below.

Dendroids

Tree-like monster in the forest

Dendroid in pursuit.

Dendroids are amorphous tree-like creatures found in most non-flooded biomes, ambulating around using dozens of branching appendages to drag, swing, and climb throughout Level 108. Their bark-like skin is fairly resistant to external damage, often taking significant force to crack or chip its surface.

During their sleep cycle, Dendroids extend root-like tendrils into the soil to gather water and nutrients in a similar manner as trees. Despite this feeding method, they have been seen killing and consuming wanderers or entities that happen to cross them. Their hunting tactics can vary depending on their age, with older members using ambush tactics by laying motionless on the ground to mimic a dead tree.

Though Dendroids do pose a very real threat, they do have an aversion to fire—which can be used to neutralize them. Lighting small brush fires or using a torch is typically enough to drive away a pursuing Dendroid.

Bases, Outposts, and Communities

During the late 1800s, Level 108 was home to a small village known as Hereth, whose population thrived until around 1906, where records indicate their disappearance. It was rediscovered in 1987 by a group known as "Zenith Corp", who constructed a research compound over the overgrown remains of Hereth, dubbing it "New Hereth". The group would eventually trade the compound and their Level 108 Level Key to the B.N.T.G. in 2022, allowing the latter to map multiple exits and entrances to the level.

New Hereth

A building in a forested area.

New Hereth

New Hereth is located about two kilometers from the eastern Hauntwood border. Despite its age, New Hereth is currently the safest place on Level 108 thanks to having been constructed partially underground, allowing for an adequate air filtration system and security from the various entities found within the level.

Though owned and operated by the B.N.T.G., the compound hosts two other groups, namely the U.E.C., and the I.M.B.H.. In total approximately 35-40 individuals live within New Haven at any given time.

The B.N.T.G. | Medicinal Research Group

An eight-person research team led by Dr. Melissa Sims, a pharmaceutical botanist. This group uses the vast array of plants, fungi, and bacteria found within the level to develop medicine for the B.N.T.G. As the acting executive on the level, Dr. Sims also manages the administrative and maintenance teams, consisting of two and four members, respectively.

Homeland Defense Force | Training Squad Agoge

The U.E.C. uses New Hereth, and by extension the harsh conditions of Level 108, as a training ground for intermediary recruits. This team is responsible for the security of New Hereth and the researchers that call it home. Using the outpost's extensive security system, the group responds to any and all threats that wander too close to the base. They are essential to most work done on the level, as they also accompany researchers on excursions into other biomes. The squad consists of approximately sixteen members, with new recruits rotating in every three months.

The I.M.B.H. | Biology and Anthropology Department Outpost K3

The I.M.B.H. has many outposts throughout the backrooms that are necessary for the collection and redistribution of information, resources, and artifacts. Comprised of twelve researchers, the I.M.B.H. team on Level 108 uses the base as a temporary repository for information on preexisting human settlements and biological research. Due to its connection to other levels with pre-industrial civilizations, the group often leaves the New Hereth on expeditions elsewhere. The team's biologists often cooperate with the B.N.T.G.'s medical research group.



Old Hereth

Wooden church in the woods, with a red sigil on the door.

The restored Church of Rosmerta.

Despite the best efforts of the I.M.B.H. to restore and collect data, the only near-fully intact building of Old Hereth is the small church found at the town center. Luckily, much of the town's records were held within this church. Though many were damaged due to time, what was recovered gave much-needed insight into the town and life therein.

At the time of their disappearance, Hereth had a population of thirty-eight people, four dogs, twelve chickens, and six cats. While they did participate in minor agriculture, mainly growing wheat and barley, the Herethians would also forage the surrounding forest for various food and herbs. The people here lived simple lives in unison with the level around them.

The records of Old Hereth describe Level 108 in a drastically different manner from how it appears today, lacking the diverse biomes and abnormal ecosystem and entities. It's believed the change in Level 108 occurred after the population's disappearance in 1906, possibly due to Level evolution or other external factor(s).

Church of Rosmerta

As the only remaining building in Old Hereth, an I.M.B.H. restoration team went through considerable efforts to preserve the building and both the municipal and religious artifacts within.

The entire population of Old Hereth were members of a religion known locally as the "Way of the All-Mother". Their religious practices centered around the titular "Rosmerta the All-Mother", a fertility goddess that is believed to be connected to a larger polytheistic religion worshiped at the time.

Of note, it would appear that there was a large ceremony or event orchestrated by the Way of the All-Mother that coincides with the disappearance of the town's population. The last record from Old Hereth comes in the form of a journal written by what is presumed to be a child at the time.

Journal Transcript | Open file


Rumors

Recovered records indicate that the people of Old Hereth knew the location of an ancient, pre-Lost ritual site somewhere in Level 108. Unfortunately, attempts to locate the site have been unsuccessful.

In recent years, there have been several sightings of other groups operating within Level 108. Notably, the Iron Fist has been spotted multiple times, leading to rumors of a possible outpost on the level. Members of the Amor Incrementum have also been seen exiting and entering the level. These sightings coupled with the mysterious nature of the Craterwood Crater7 and the recovered evidence from Old Hereth have led to many theories regarding the area, and what may lie underneath.

Entrances and Exits

For security reasons the B.N.T.G. entrances to Level 108 are a closely guarded secret and only divulged to internal affiliates.

It is theorized that any forested area could eventually lead someone to Level 108. Notable levels on which this has occured include, Level 32, Level 35-ID, Level 39, Level 48, Level PL-53, Level 77, Level 116, Level 249, and Level 415

Any wanderer who needs help exiting the level will be assisted by the residents of New Hereth. Purple trail guides also mark the known exits of the level.

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