{$title}Languages:
SURVIVAL DIFFICULTY:
Class 1
- {$one}
- Unfit for Living
- Devoid of Entities
"To be honest, I'm sure you won't last long on this level. Most people only ever come here for quick passage to that silent level or to try exotic foods from whatever creatures inhabit this cursed place. The point is, just take a break on this level, after whatever hell you've just crawled out of before entering here." — User:joni_abiess on Backtavern.net Forum
Description
One of the turns on the steps of Melancholic Steps, with the lower left corner of a mirror visible at the top of the image.
The Melancholic Steps is a level consisting of a spiral stairway, with nine steps along each edge before making a 90-degree right turn, seemingly ascending to infinite heights. The width of the staircase allows two adults to pass simultaneously, though with some difficulty. The walls of this level are made of cream-colored cement, with posters of Earth musicians' albums and square mirrors randomly attached to the walls. This level also possesses an unusually strong connection to the Backrooms Wi-Fi network via an unknown mechanism.
This level exhibits a cognitive anomaly where survivors immediately feel calm upon first entering it. Survivors find themselves smelling the strong scent of freshly dried paint, which originates from the walls of this level.
Spatial Location
Upon transitioning into this level, survivors will almost certainly fail to locate others on the same level, as they are presumed to be placed into individual iterations of the space, unless two or more survivors enter the Level concurrently within a window of approximately 5 seconds of each other. This can happen if they enter through the same access route (though theoretically possible via different access routes, the probability is considered negligible). To explain this spatial anomaly, there are two hypotheses that have been proposed by various survivor communities:
The first hypothesis predicts that all iterations of The Melancholic Steps exist within the same spatial dimension, separated only by a concrete wall of unknown thickness. This is supported by survivor reports, most of which have not been confirmed, of hearing humanoid activity that appears to emanate from the outside of the staircase, which indirectly indicates the existence of another staircase besides the one where the survivor is located.
The second hypothesis proposes that each staircase iteration occupied by a survivor resides within its own separate "dimensional pocket," which has the property that the edges of the dimensional pocket only allow the transfer of vibrations through non-solid media, such as air, rather than walls.
So far, no attempts have been made to test these two hypotheses by digging through the wall on the left side of the level, due to a lack of resources and manpower.
Anomalies
Several anomalies from the Level's general configuration exist. The precise number of unique anomalies remains undetermined, but the following is a brief catalog:
- Void Gaps: Occasionally, missing sections of steps open into chasms that reportedly lead survivors to uncataloged Levels. These holes appear to be very deep and constitute a spatial anomaly in their own, as the affected area appears structurally normal when viewed from below. It is advisable to be cautious when encountering these anomalies, because although most manifestations are small holes, large gaps render passage extremely difficult.
- The Glass Ascent: An anomaly where, across several steps, all walls and steps are replaced by glass. This is the only location where survivors report slowly developing extreme paranoia, so it is recommended to pass through this area as quickly as possible.
- Cornerfolk Colony: A specific corner of the Level's wall where a colony of Cornerfolk is found. Although their bodies are smaller and edible, food sources are scarce at this level. It appears that this different form of the Cornerfolk is an adaptation to living on this Level, where food sources are scarce, causing their bodies to slowly shrink (similar to island dwarfism on Earth), and they can synthesize their own food source, presumably from the Level's wall paint; this often leaves behind tell-tale peeled paint marks.
- Verdant Steps: An anomaly where the steps are slowly overgrown with small vegetation characteristic of the forest understory (moss, lichen, and other small plants). This is one of the exits from The Melancholic Steps.
- Infestation: Extremely rare; manifests as colonies of invisible, transparent fungi that can spontaneously vanish, presumably traversing to other Levels. So far, there has been no strong physical evidence of the existence of these transparent fungi on other Levels except for dubious reports. Inhaling fungal spores can be fatal; they can be detected by their sour smell from at least six levels before the original location of the fungus. They can be safely traversed if a mask is worn. The fungi themselves feel like fine hairs when touched by hand1.
- The Bar: Very rare; a bar managed by a male Faceling, manifested as a cavern excavated into the concrete of the Level's outer wall, sporting a modern bar style. It sells a variety of food and drinks from Earth.
Beyond the above, minor anomalies also manifest, such as random furniture and supply crates containing various objects, notably Almond Water; structural damage to the walls and stairs, and power outages affecting the lighting.
Outpost, Bases, and Communities
Due to the level’s generally unpredictable characteristics, no permanent bases, outposts, or communities have been established here. Since the initial discovery of The Bar anomaly, a group of five survivors has elected to reside on this Level. This is supported by photographs they uploaded to the Backtavern.net Forum depicting their habitation of the bar.
Entrances and Exits
Entrances
- Locate a section of the rubber wall that is subtly more rigid than the surrounding surfaces in Level "Crazy? I Used to Be Crazy", then follow the texture pattern until you find a pale-cream colored section of the wall. Do a noclip into that section.
- Locate and enter the cream-colored wooden door in Level Crematorium. Its spawn location is random, but it is typically found between floors 600–700.
Exits
- Encounter the Verdant Steps anomaly. Be in joy2 and continue ascending the steps until you are arrive in The Silent Ascent.
- Locate The Bar anomaly. Request the Faceling bartender to unlock the door at the far corner of the bar, which will lead survivors to random safe levels.