SURVIVAL DIFFICULTY:
Class unknown
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Description:
The first picture ever taken of Level 0Zero.
TH3 SH4DY GR3Y is a set of incredibly unstable environments that the late head field researcher Eden G has designated as one cluster of a level. Information regarding the level is very limited due to the fact that every section of this level has various factors that make it lethal to traverse, including hostile entities, dangerously high temperatures, aggressive human groups, and several other factors that are unlike anything The M.E.G. has ever encountered before. It is strongly encouraged that one does not try to enter TH3 SH4DY GR3Y by any means necessary.
A common factor between the areas of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y is that each section is notably devoid of color, including on objects that enter the level. For the duration of one’s time in the level, every object that a wanderer encounters will be completely greyscale. This phenomenon has posed several difficulties with things such as distinguishing between different colors of Almond Water, identifying safe and edible foods when foraging on the “outside” portions of the level, and being able to identify various electronic components on official M.E.G. devices that require repair when damaged during exploration. This consistent factor has, however, helped the M.E.G. both identify the different parts of the level and verify that they have indeed not exited the level but entered a new layer of it.
This greyscale phenomenon is also the reason that the research team has decided to designate this level as one singular cluster of a level rather than several separate levels. In addition, due to the lack of a clear main area that connects all of these levels, it is impossible to designate them as sub-levels of one greater level.
As of yet, the M.E.G. has discovered eight different areas that are a part of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. In order to conveniently distinguish these areas — and avoid confusion with the standard numbering system the M.E.G. uses for its regular levels, each layer of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y will be referred to as Level 0Zero, 1One, and so forth. Due to the fact that traversing between these layers is incredibly difficult and usually requires some kind of unique method, technique, or skill, The M.E.G. is still working to discover if more layers exist beyond the eight that have currently been discovered. This file is considered a living document as a result of the immense mystery surrounding this level and will be regularly updated if and when more areas and information are revealed.
Due to the incredible potential that various resources, technologies, and general information regarding backrooms phenomena that this level provides, The M.E.G. has poured countless time, resources, and lives into documenting and better understanding this unique level. Unfortunately, a method of escape has not yet been established or confirmed, meaning that all operatives sent into the level do so with the knowledge that they will not return once they enter. Several sacrifices have been made by valuable research teams in order to hopefully reach a point where the level is understood and of more practical use to the group as a whole. What is currently known about each individual section will be documented below, but the M.E.G. graciously acknowledges that said information would not be possible without these aforementioned sacrifices.
Level 0Zero
Level 0Zero is the first and most environmentally stable section of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. It was 4lso the first layer discovered and the f1r5t layer that a wanderer 3NT3R5 WH3N 5UCC355FULLY æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§
æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ 15 th3 only section of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y that one can traverse without any severe or immediate danger, contingent upon the fact that one is able to escape it before night. The area itself takes the appearance of a dense, thick jungle that is of similar topography to the Amazon Rainforest, of course also having the signature greyscale phenomenon altering it.
Despite the fact that it is the most stable in comparison to the rest of the sections, it is far from stable or secure. It is incredibly common to find trees clipped into each other, objects that appear blurry when looked at for too long, or dead animal carcasses with horrifying mutations, deformities, or injuries. It is strongly advised that one does not touch, interact with, or even look at these anomalies for too long, as doing so can have unprecedented and likely detrimental consequences that The M.E.G. cannot even begin to imagine. Several research missions have been prematurely ended due to these objects, and avoiding them at all costs is the safest bet.
Unlike a place like Level 0, every wanderer who enters TH3 SH4DY GR3Y will find themselves in an old, weathered shack with significant rot covering the wood that makes it up. This shack is unique and believed to be the only thing in Level 0Zero that wouldn’t occur naturally in an outdoor area in The Frontrooms. The windows of the shack appear to have been bashed in, along with the door seemingly having been ripped off of the hinges. The only other notable quality of the shack is a standard 12-hour clock hung on the wall that is crucial for one’s survival. Level 0Zero has a documented day-night cycle, however, it is extremely different from the normal 24 hour cycle within the Frontrooms. Instead of slowly fading into day/night, the sky instantly changes from day to night, or vice versa, without any warning every 12 hours. The clock serves as the only warning for this sudden change, which occurs each time it hits 12. The M.E.G. keeps an analog clock in Base Beta that is perfectly timed to the one in Level 0Zero in order to ensure that research teams who enter the level do not enter during night time, rather shortly after the transition to day in order to ensure the highest chance of survival and highest potential for effective research.
During the day, there are no entities, but at night the level becomes lethal. Any natural light that was previously in the level will immediately disappear, and the level will become pitch black to the point where one can’t even see their hand in front of their face. Entities, who likely have adapted night vision, will appear and hunt down any humans in the level. The entities in question are unknown due to the night state of Level 0Zero being totally devoid of any light. Similarly to Level 6, attempting to shine a flashlight in the level is pointless, as all light in the level is completely snuffed out by the darkness. Due to this, the apparent entities in the level are undocumented due to all researchers being killed within minutes after night begun. It is also unknown where exactly these entities come from, as no live creatures have ever been encountered in Level 0Zero during the day time. Attempting to set up cameras to document the transition from night to day has also proven to be a fruitless endeavor, as they have all been destroyed within minutes by the apparent entities.
During the day, one can find almond water lakes, rivers, and even waterfalls. However, at night the almond water suddenly turns into liquid pain until day time, when it becomes almond water again. This was unfortunately discovered during a desperate attempt to hide from the entities beneath a waterfall after being caught by surprise during the transition to night. Even bottling it up and take it away from the source, it will still become liquid pain. Shockingly, this has even occurred in other layers of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y when being bottled up and taken for extra resources, perfectly aligning with the timing reflected on the clock in the shack. Due to this, it is not recommended you drink any almond water in this level, and it is strongly advised that one does not try to save any of it to consume in other areas.
Level 0Zero is considered completely safe during day due to the apparent lack of life or lethal environmental factors. Of course, the level becomes a deadzone during night, and nobody has to date been able to escape or survive during nighttime. The M.E.G. has found that digging a hole that is 10 meters deep will allow one to enter the next layer, Level 1One. This was discovered during an attempt to build an underground shelter that shielded the research team during the night and is the only known way to enter the next layer.
Level 1One
A photo of Level 1One’s distorted lobby.
Level 1One is an extensive mansion that contains unstable reality. Many unprepared wanderers who escape Level 0Zero have died in this level due to the presence of a very powerful and dangerous entity, designated as “The Landlord.”
When successful entry is made into Level 1One, wanderers will find themselves in a massive lobby that is pictured to the right. Several portions of the house have a distorted, warbled appearance that is similar to the anomalous objects described in the Level 0Zero section. Likewise, wanderers must avoid so much as looking at these distorted sections for too long, as this will result in the effect spreading to the wanderer’s mind and body. Several wanderers have had their bodies severely mutilated by their bodies being contorted and altered into this appearance, which causes the very atoms that make up their bodies to separate and destabilize. Needless to say, reality is less of a given factor in this layer and more of a suggestion regarding most of the objects in this layer.
The Landlord is the only entity that exists in this layer. He appears to be a reality-warper that has full control over Level 1One, allowing him to alter the appearance, stability, and layout of any part of the environment. Despite his universal control, he is not omniscient; it is possible to enter and exit this level without interacting with The Landlord whatsoever. This is the most ideal scenario, as his reality-warping abilities make escape incredibly difficult if he is aware of any foreign presence.
The Landlord sports a fancy suit and fedora and typically carries a briefcase around with him. His body takes the appearance of a physical, walking shadow and has no visible facial features. If spotted, The Landlord will immediately approach the wanderer and attempt to kill them with his reality-warping abilities. He will immediately warp the reality in the level to lock the doors or fully destabilize the entire room, causing the victim to die a slow and painful death. He will often yell at his victims with immense anger during this, accusing them of “trespassing” in his mansion. As is evident by his description, The Landlord is extremely dangerous and unpredictable and should be avoided at all costs.
Escaping this layer is not possible to do on purpose, and is a mere act of chance. When opening doors throughout the house, they will occasionally open into a white void that brings the wanderer to Level 2Two. This occurrence is extremely rare and unpredictable, and requires pure luck to use to one’s advantage. The most effective way to escape is to enter as many doors as possible until one is successfully able to exit. This is easiest to do if The Landlord is unaware of one’s presence in the level. As a result, loud noises, talking, and other disturbances should be avoided to ensure that he is not alerted of any trespassers. If successful escape has not occurred and The Landlord is alerted to a foreign presence, it is still possible to escape by running and breaking down the doors. A few times, wanderers have managed to elude him and escape into Level 2Two through this method, but due to the unreliability of successful exiting, this should only be a last resort. Killing The Landlord is also impossible, as he has proven to be completely unaffected by any and all weapons and attacks.
Level 2Two
The snowy woods of Level 2Two.
Level 2Two is a large, thick forest covered in snow. Despite the snow, the natural environment of the level boasts incredibly hot temperatures of 100°F (~38°C) that have killed several wanderers due to heatstroke, sunburn, sun poisoning, and other dangerous effects posed by hot climates. The snow does not feel cold and does not melt, and has baffled scientists and researchers in The M.E.G. Surviving on this level is possible with minimal clothing, regular use of sunscreen, and regular hydration, though quite uncomfortable of an experience. The greyscale phenomenon makes sunburns incredibly difficult to identify before they escalate to more severe and extreme damage, meaning that one should be extra aware of their precautions and exposed body parts to ensure this is avoided.
Aside from the sweltering heat, this layer is actually one of the safest discovered parts of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y due to the lack of hostile entities or severe reality instability. The environment’s instability is similar to Level 0Zero, though slightly more frequent. The same precautions are of course recommended. The immense snow can create difficulties with traveling, as sometimes large piles of snow can fall from the branches high up and smother wanderers to death. Avalanches are also a possibility if the topography is heavily disturbed by a large group. A small outpost has been established on Level 2Two through the usage of the wood that makes up the trees. This outpost exists to house wanderers who are able to survive Level 0Zero and Level 1One until The M.E.G. is able to discover a method of escape from TH3 SH4DY GR3Y, especially since this layer is the only safe and relatively secure place in TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. This layer is also the most explored and well-mapped as a result, but the actual environment of the level consists of little more than just dense forest and lacks any large, open areas.
This area appears to have nothing else special about it other than a rare entity known as fallen angels. Fallen angels appear to be humans with large black wings and blue robes. They often are seen with mortal injuries such as bullet wounds, stab wounds, and missing body parts such as arms, legs, and even heads. Aside from this, they have relatively human features. They claim to have “faded,” as they put it, and have said that they were once humans. The entities refuse to elaborate on their origins in detail and typically become incredibly uncomfortable and nervous when asked about it. They are docile and will talk to you kindly if you start a conversation with them. The only time they will attack is if you mention anything about Level 71, claiming that they are taking revenge on “the one who did this to them.” An interview was conducted with one, attached below. This interview was conducted when virtually nothing was known about these entities, and the actions of the operative are strongly discouraged with consideration of modern knowledge regarding their discomfort around their origins, “deaths”, and Level 71.
Getting to Level 3three is very easy. Ask one of the fallen angels, and they will thrust you through the ground straight into Level 3three. It’s unknown how they are able to do this, as they refuse to explain. Many wanderers don’t make it any deeper than this, due to the extreme heat, rarity of fallen angel entities, and the relative safety of 2Two. It is advised that one stays here and lives in the outpost as well, as what lies in the rest of the discovered layers is significantly worse and near guaranteed suicide.
Level 3Three
A bird’s eye view of Level 3Three. Grandfather clocks and water speeders can be seen floating in the water.
Level 3Three is one of the strangest sub-levels within TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. Level 3three is an infinite ocean that is filled with clocks floating around in it — which seem to have incredibly powerful time-altering abilities. The ocean itself is quite toxic, and is made of distilled water mixed with mercury and gasoline according to examinations of samples. The clocks float around the ocean, seemingly unaffected by the water. Some islands have been discovered throughout the oceans, but most of them are occupied by groups of hostile individuals. These islands can also consist of the instability present in all former layers. The M.E.G. has attempted to explore beneath the water with underwater drones, but currently haven’t found anything you wouldn’t find in a normal frontrooms ocean, minus natural life such as coral or fish. This does not disprove possible animal or entity life, but due to the high levels of oil and mercury, it is very unlikely.
So far, The M.E.G. has found 4 types of clocks floating around: analog clocks, digital clocks, watches, and grandfather clocks, each with different abilities. Notably, these clocks also are perfectly aligned to the second with the clock in Level 0Zero and do not require any external power source such as a battery or electricity to function.
Analog clocks are the safest clocks. Touching one has a chance to send you back to Level 2Two. If it doesn’t lead to Level 2Two, it will lead to Level 4Four. This is also the only known way to enter 4Four. Analog clocks are quite rare, and many of them have been hoarded by the people present in the layer.
Digital clocks are very dangerous, but also quite rare. Picking one up will immediately teleport you to a mysterious black void without exception. It could be used as a fast escape from the level, but the mysterious properties of the void may be worse than staying on Level 2Two or 3Three for a while. No exploration has been done of this void yet, as it is too dangerous and risky. Early attempts to do so resulted in immediate loss of contact from the operatives within a matter of seconds. It is recommended to avoid these digital clocks due to the immense lack of knowledge surrounding this void.
Watches are actually used as weapons from native groups within the level. Picking one up and tying it to your wrist makes you considered to be armed and dangerous. If you point the watch towards any living being and turn the hands forward, it will time travel the victim to the day of their death, which for many is still within TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. This isn’t instant death in all cases, as if it’s something like dying to an entity, it’s possible to avoid it and change your fate. However, many people end up dying to watches, which makes them incredibly dangerous. Many desperate wanderers have attempted to use the watch on themselves in hopes that they will travel to a time when escape from TH3 SH4DY GR3Y has been discovered, but so far, this has been fruitless and resulted in nothing but death.
Grandfather Clocks are the largest clocks, and are far too heavy to pick up, even with equipment like a fishing net. Most people who use grandfather clocks throw the victim onto them while they float in the water. Throwing someone on a grandfather clock either causes the victim to painfully turn back into an infant, or age rapidly into an extremely elderly person. The victims usually end up drowning, since neither outcome results in the person still being able to swim. This is irreversible, as attempting to change them back with the grandfather clocks once more does not work.
This area is extremely difficult to set up an outpost on due to the many native communities who conduct very frequent watch attacks on each other. Watch wars are common occurrences within the level, which often result in extreme chaos and high death tolls. The groups will typically try to capture people as hostages and use the clocks in whatever way they see fit. They very often enjoy using the digital clocks on captured people. It took the M.E.G. a very long time — and a lot of failed attempts and lost lives — to finally set up a successful outpost with proper defense. The many minor communities within the area often pose an extreme threat to the M.E.G. or anyone else to enters the level.
You can find large speed boats on islands throughout the level, but many have been stolen by The M.E.G. or the other minor groups that were previously mentioned. The M.E.G. has out-powered the smaller, weaker groups, but many have weaponized the clocks and use them against the M.E.G. Nobody should be trusted on this level, even the M.E.G. The M.E.G. could mistake you as an enemy, and swiftly attack you with one of the watches. The native groups are also extremely likely to attack you for sport. Attempting to establish contact or treaties with these groups has proven impossible. As a result, The M.E.G. has no idea where these people came from or how they arrived here. Many of them do not speak any known language as well, and could have origins that are beyond anything The M.E.G. currently understands. Analog clocks seem to be the only way to get to the final discovered stable layer, which is known as Level 4four.
Level 4Four
The looming skyscrapers of Level 4Four, captured from the river that cuts between the two sides of the city.
Level 4Four is the last known stable sub-level within TH3 SH4DY GR3Y. The only known way to go this deep into the level is by touching an analog clock on Level 3Three. If one successfully makes the trip into Level 4Four, they will fall through the reality of the level and splash into the river seen in the picture. This river runs through the whole area, and is presumed to be infinite along with the level itself. The M.E.G. has taken samples and proven that the water is safe to touch, but will likely cause severe vomiting and diarrhea if consumed. The river is surrounded on both sides by dangerous and skyscrapers that have unstable reality in a similar fashion to 1One. The design of the city looks extremely similar to Level 11, but with a little bit more of a baroque style. The buildings, also like level 11, are typically very glitchy and sometimes can be found defying the laws of physics. For example, some buildings are upside down, floating, or even clipped inside of each other.
The Skyscrapers are all locked, but can easily be broken into. This is not recommended, as every building is extremely infested with dangerous entities, such as Smilers and Skin-Stealers. The streets are also filled with armed facelings which have weapons like knives, guns, chainsaws, machetes, stun guns, and so forth. If you get too close, many of them will often attack by pushing their victim onto a wall and mugging them without saying a word. They are usually seen in dark clothing such as black jackets, jeans, and a black beanie.
The facelings will often non-verbally threaten their victim with a knife and wave their hand signifying to hand over any valuables. Trying to fight back will result in more facelings becoming hostile and attack you until you stop moving, or hand over any sort of money, weapons, or supplies. They seem to favor almond water for some strange reason. Handing this to them will cause them to be docile towards anyone for 1 hour, until eventually reverting back to being hostile. They seem to accept anything of value, even sentimental value. One traveler documented having already lost all of his supplies and valuables, and had nothing left, so when one mugged him again, he gave the faceling his shirt. The faceling put it on, and left. Facelings infest this level, making muggings extremely common. Most people end up getting robbed until they are naked and have no resources, and are then killed when found with nothing.
The Mangled also roam this level, but unlike Level 9 where they are very rare, they are extremely common in this place. It is guaranteed that one will see several of them as soon as they enter the level, especially since they tower over the skyscrapers. They walk around the level looking for humans to stomp on, and if one of them sees one, it is likely they will be instantly killed.
The Facelings and Mangled are not the only danger in this level either. The level often has severe environmental conditions, such as rapidly changing temperatures, which sometimes reach lethal points. Natural disasters also occur often, such as blizzards, acid rain, tornadoes, and many other things of that sort. The entire level is overcast by thick grey clouds, making the level extremely dark, which is further amplified by the greyscale effect. Currently, there is no known way to escape Level 4Four on purpose. The only way is to try to accidentally noclip through the ground into the final, heavily unexplored sections of the level. However, due to æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§, dying on this layer is considered a much better fate than what lies beyond.
L0ST H0P3
L0ST H0P3 is when the 5tabil1ty of TH3 SH4DY GR3Y disappears. The level 1s extremely und0cum3nted and unstable. L0ST H0P3 is nearly impossible to survive or 3scape. Going into this level means all hope you had will be drained from you. WHY Y0U W0ULD W1ll1NGLY C0M3 T0 TH15 H3LL IS Y0UR 0WN D3LU510N.
TH3 L3V3L’S T3RR41N 15 0NLY D3SCR1B3D 45 W0BBLY. æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ TH3 W4LL5 W0BBL3 F4R W0R53 TH4N IN 10N3, 8UT 4R3 5T1LL S0L1D. æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ æ–‡åŒã‚€šÂ£ÌÉÏÔËÁÆá ÖóÞ¢ñë╟╨╬╥▐п╠▀šðèæ¶rg¥s∂в√•»¿Ø§ TH3 4T0M5 1N Y0UR 80DY W1LL 83 R1PP3D FR0M Y0UR B0DY. Y0U W1LL Y34RN F0R TH3 M3RCY TH4T 15 D34TH L1K3 1 H4V3 D0N3 F0R M1LL3N14.
L0ST.
All hope is gone.
Nobody is coming to help.
Death is a luxury that is not afforded to you.
2 F4R
TURN B4CK. 1T’5 T00 L4T3.
You went too far. You’re trying to learn things you can’t even begin to understand.
Too many layers of reality collapsed in on you.
¿ɥʇıʍ ƃuılɐǝp ǝɹ,noʎ ʇɐɥʍ puɐʇsɹǝpun oʇ uıƃǝq uǝʌǝ uɐɔ noʎ ʞuıɥʇ noʎ op
TH3 3ND
TH3 F4LL3N 0N3
W3LC0M3 T0 TH3 3ND
I am one with the void
You will know what the void feels like.
Reality has faded. Heaven has collapsed.
TH3 SH4DY GR3Y 15 WH4T R3M41N5
F4D3 INT0 TH3 SH4DY GR3Y