Hello, Requiem.
This delay is most unfortunate. While I sympathize with your situation, we cannot afford further delays to Project Darwin. Your crew is to work double shifts until we are back on schedule. The research team carrying this response to you will be more than willing to assist. Additionally, they will also be performing their primary duty of observing Frowning Husks and recruiting them to the Repository, so you may end up acquiring more helping hands along the way. Do not slow down.
Sincerely, Crescendo
P. S. The informants have already reported the information on Birthday Candle.
Description
Level 848 is an infinite series of halls and rooms that resemble a traditional theater. While most of the backstage areas and storage rooms are empty, some are stocked with various props, costumes, and theater-related equipment.
While there are no naturally spawning entities on this level Frowning Husks Partypoopers =) Frowning Husks =( frequently migrate here. They often travel to this level and, utilizing whatever props they can find, set up dioramas that tell the story of their lives. They have also been known to leave writings and 'cave paintings' on this level. It is unknown how this tradition started.
One of two hastily drawn pictures used by a frowning husk to request help from a M.E.G. outpost on a different level during the Red Carpet
The Red Carpet
On 9/6/2021, the Partygoers Hellspawn organized a terrorist attack on Level 848. Over a hundred partygoers set fire to the various stages where Frowning Husks Partypoopers =) Frowning Husks =( had left drawings, writings, and dioramas. Hundreds of rooms were incinerated, and dozens of Frowning Husks Partypoopers =) Frowning Husks =( were killed. A combined effort from M.E.G. and the Arianne Circle managed a successful counterattack. The initial attack lasted 37 hours. In the aftermath there were 5 areas several kilometers wide that were completely burned, save for graffiti left by the Partygoers Hellspawn after the flames died down. The lights in this area no longer function, and some wanderers have reported sightings of Partygoers Hellspawn here. Since the renovations by the Backrooms Remodeling Co., only 4 of the 5 damaged areas remain. Some Partygoers Hellspawn sightings have been reported in the ruined areas.
PROJECT DARWIN
ON-SITE OBSERVATIONS
REPORT 1
OBSERVER: Everett Locke
OBSERVATION PERIOD: 9/11/2021-9/17/2021
OBSERVATIONS:
In the aftermath of the Red Carpet, many of the dioramas, writings, and cave paintings of the Frowning Husks were lost. Gauging their reactions without the use of facial expressions wasn't as hard as we figured it would be. To make up for a lack of facial expressions and vocal communication, they exaggerate their body language much like characters in a silent film. What I found most fascinating was their most common form of communication (other than electronic devices). They trace letters on a surface, usually their torso. One of them was doing it in Spanish.
The general consensus among them was a mixture of sadness for what was lost and fury at the Partygoers responsible. Though much of their hard work was lost, they quickly set about rebuilding their stories and the Ariane Circle base. Requiem convinced some of them to help build our research station, though he quickly found this strategy unfeasible as they can't easily operate tools. Soon after, we sent them to Database 004-Γ to be assimilated into the Aegis Archivists.
Yo Crescendo!
Good news! We actually finished the base/research station/recruitment thingamabob! I regret to inform your highness that we were sadly, however, an hour behind schedule. But since the holidays are upon us, I'm requesting some more materials anyway to help out with those Ariane Circle nerds and their new base. Those bureaucrats can't supply a construction site for shit! If you need more convincing or whatever, it should be good for relations. Ciao!
Your main man, Requiem
A picture of one of the movie theaters
The Movie Theaters
Approximately 40 days after the Red Carpet, members of the Backrooms Remodeling Co. were seen inspecting some of the ruined areas. A few days later, they began operations and managed to renovate one of the damaged areas. However, instead of restoring the old stage theaters, they replaced them with movie theaters by mistake. The theaters themselves are fully functional and stocked with appropriate equipment and supplies, such as projectors and film reels (the film reels are blank).
PROJECT DARWIN
ON-SITE OBSERVATIONS
REPORT 4
OBSERVER: Everett Locke
OBSERVATION PERIOD: 10/21/2021-10/28/2021
OBSERVATIONS:
I and my fellow researchers had the privilege of going to a play by The Quiet Theatre Guild. It was an interesting experience. The actors used masks with faces painted on them, utilizing exaggerated motion and music in place of dialogue. It was like watching an opera without lyrics. It was a truly beautiful piece of art. The play itself was a rendition of 'Richard III.' Just before the third act, an attendant kicked out Requiem and his girlfriend for making out too loudly.
Some of us spoke with the cast and crew afterward. Their outlook on life is somewhat morbid, but they were generally polite and answered most of our questions. Aside from the masks they wore to differentiate characters, they didn't wear any outside a rehearsal or show, instead using wristbands with their names written on them in order to differentiate each other. Ultimately, they want to dedicate themselves to their new art form. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish.
Bases, Outposts, and Communities
The Ariane Circle Troupe Loserwood =) The Ariane Circle Troupe =(
The Ariane Circle Troupe is a small outpost, comprising about 20 permanent residents dedicated study the Frowning Husks that come to and from the level. They also have a bulletin board here with job listings from various groups for prospecting husks as a means to reintegrate into society. In the aftermath of the Red Carpet they moved their base to a different part of the level.
The Quiet Theatre Guild
The Quiet Theatre Guild is a group of Frowning Husks that have pioneered a genre of expressionist plays. There is no dialogue, and emotion is conveyed through exaggerated movement and intense (usually orchestral) music. It has made the list of Radical Radio's Top 25 Consumer Experiences In The Backrooms five times in a row.
Partypooper Productions
This is a moderately sized group of Frowning Husks who create cartoons and animations and show them in the remodeled area known as 'The Movie Theatres.' The price of admission is art/film supplies and/or technology (e.g., drawing tablets, styluses, etc.). Their most popular series is a satirical depiction of many major figures and groups within the backrooms.
PROJECT DARWIN
ON-SITE OBSERVATIONS
REPORT 11
OBSERVER: Everett Locke
OBSERVATION PERIOD: 1/13/2022-1/20/2022
OBSERVATIONS:
When we decided to investigate the recent renovations done by the Backrooms Remodeling Co., we were surprised to find movie theaters instead of stage theaters. It makes sense given the history of their work. However, in the movie theaters, we found a new group in its infancy stages: Partypooper Productions. I'm not entirely sure if their crass sense of humor is derived from a sense of nihilism or genuine happiness; it's somewhat hard to tell with them. They plan on making old-fashioned pie-eyed cartoons (mostly satirical ones) and showing them in the movie theaters. They don't seem to be in agreement on the admission fee yet.
Overall, it is fascinating to see how the husks in general have adapted to their new circumstances. They are still capable of amazing feats and the will to achieve them. It is safe to assume that other groups will take notice in the coming months.
Entrances and Exits
Entrances
- Find a pair of glass doors in Level 847.
- Go up a pink ladder on Level 849.
- Random noclipping in levels on a multiple of 8 has a chance to send you here.
- Noclip into a statue of William Shakespeare.
Exits
Dear Requiem,
It has come to my attention that you are involved in a romantic relationship with a member of the Ariane Circle, specifically one that works at the Ariane Circle's research station on Level 848. This is not against the rules, but unless you want me to tell your wife, Project Darwin needs a research station on Levels 9, 81, and 650. As my 'main man,' I expect you to complete them in a timely manner and for future communications from you to be more professional.
Sincerely, Crescendo