Headlights whir through the endless mist.
SURVIVAL CLASS
1
Resources: 4/5
Water, but No Food
Exit: 1/5
Easy to Exit
Environment: 2/5
Some Environmental Risk
Entities: 0/5
No Hostile Entities
Photo of a roadside within level 695, mist particles visible in the camera's light.
Level 695 manifests as an infinite plane of parallel multi-lane roads. The level exists in a perpetual state of twilight and is devoid of artificial light, providing little illumination to wanderers who find themselves within. There are no methods of vehicular transportation present within the level,1 so all inhabitants must travel on foot.
The roads of Level 695 are separated by thin stretches of land between three and twenty meters wide, similar to the median strip of a Frontrooms highway. These land dividers are typically carpeted in grass and sparsely populated by both deciduous2 and evergreen trees.
The air is thick with mist, and its relative humidity has been recorded at ninety-five percent. Due to the high moisture concentration, visibility in the level is heavily restricted, reaching a maximum of about one hundred feet (thirty meters). Tests of the mist's composition have revealed it to be made of Almond Water, though it is odorless and lacks any taste.
The mist is safe to breathe for short periods of time, but it can build up in the lungs after multiple hours of exposure, causing discomfort and potential suffocation. Because of this, it is highly advised to bring a breathing apparatus or filtered mask if knowingly entering Level 695.
Survival Tips:
- Should you find yourself in Level 695 without any protective equipment, the best course of action is to keep moving. You are more likely to find others by covering as much ground as possible.
- Stay out of the road. (See the Level Features section for more information)
- Use any materials with you to create a filter for your face; even something like fabric can capture a large amount of moisture while still allowing air through. If you have nothing, cup your hands over your mouth and nose, and take slow, shallow breaths.
- Most importantly, remain calm. Stress leads to recklessness, and you will only harm yourself if you allow panic to take over.
Level Features
Level 695 exhibits periodic events and entities that can hinder wanderers' movement throughout the level, but they can provide strong benefits if engaged correctly.
Entity 695α - "Threadlights"
The first known image of a 695α vehicle.
CONCORD ENTITY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
HABITAT(S): Level 695
1CXX
Ranging from small cars to large cargo trucks, Threadlights are autonomous vehicles spaced sporadically throughout Level 695. They travel along the level's roads at a constant speed of roughly 45 miles per hour (~72 kph), but they invariably appear blurred or "smudged," making finer details nearly impossible to discern. As long as no wanderers are blocking a Threadlight's path, it will continue along its road indefinitely. Should it come into contact with any object or human, however, it will instantly vanish. While they cannot cause any physical harm, Threadlights can be frightening and it is advised to walk alongside the roads while traversing rather than directly on them.
Threadlights seem to possess a low level of intelligence and limited extrasensory abilities, as they respond to wanderers that attempt to flag them down; they will, however, only interact with individuals who have consumed Almond Water within one hour before signaling them. Should this be the case, the Threadlight will slow to a halt about five feet (1.5 meters) away from the individual and one of its rear doors will open.3 The interior of each vehicle appears as an isolated pocket of space with a small row of faux-leather seats, capable of fitting up to three people. Should a person or group of people enter, the door will close and the vehicle will drive them to another level. (See Entrances and Exits for more information)
Phenomenon 695-R
{$title-component}PTS:
0E
{$title-class}Class:
Environmental (Safe)
{$title-sub}Area of Effect: Entire Level
Every 48-60 hours
{$title-one}Frequency
60-90 minutes
{$title-two}Duration
Deluge
{$title-three}Intensity
Occasionally, the mist of Level 695 will recede somewhat, allowing for higher visibility and breathability. Following this, torrential rain will pour from the sky. Like the mist, this rain is made of Almond Water, but it is substantially easier to collect and utilize. Though most commonly lasting for about an hour, some rainfalls will be much more brief, with the shortest recorded being only two minutes long.
If communities take advantage of these rain events when they occur, they can slowly build up several years' worth of Almond Water reserves, allowing for sustainable and continuous survival. It is theorized that most, if not all, major Groups in the Backrooms have established bases in Level 695 for easy, consistent access to this vital resource, though only two are publicly known.
Bases, Outposts, and Communities
M.E.G. Branch 695 - "Point Stone"
The entrance to Point Stone, outfitted with various security measures.
Branch 695 is a subsection of the M.E.G.'s main exploration division, dedicated to protecting the level from enemy groups and assisting fellow wanderers who enter. Members of Branch 695, commonly called "Raincatchers," work to collect and distribute Almond Water from 695-R events to other levels where the M.E.G. operates.
Constructed from scattered pieces of concrete, asphalt, and materials from other levels, Point Stone is the main base of operations for Branch 695. The outpost serves as a resting zone for wanderers, offering protection from the elements and reliable resources. Here, Branch 695 educates wanderers on various methods of accessing and leaving Level 695, and often recruits them to other prominent M.E.G. locations. Teams of M.E.G. Raincatchers regularly search a wide perimeter around Point Stone for lost wanderers or signs of other settlements.
The B.N.T.G.
The Backrooms Nonaligned Trade Group reportedly first occupied Level 695 in 2016. If true, this level has likely provided a substantial portion of their Almond Water stores over the past decade.
The main settlement of the B.N.T.G. on Level 695 is currently unknown, as their only point of communication with other groups on the level is through a single outpost:
Mist Market
Mist Market is a localized trading post for Level 695, hosted by the B.N.T.G. The outpost is comprised of several dozen stalls arranged in a rough rectangular perimeter, with areas for seating placed around the center. About half of the stalls are occupied by B.N.T.G. members, who offer various wares from other levels; the rest are open to anyone who wishes to sell something.
Since its founding in 2019, Mist Market has acted as a social nexus where the various communities of Level 695 gather to interact and trade resources. The market's primary currency is B.N.T.G. Presses, but regular item exchanges make up a large portion of the sales and remain an important part of the community.
Two-Way Town
Two-Way Town is a permanent settlement within Level 695 consisting of around 150 individuals. The inhabitants of Two-Way Town live in tightly-packed, ramshackle structures which are covered in large tarps, allowing for protection from the rain.
The town has been described as a lively and welcoming community, occasionally hosting raucous celebrations during 695-R events and interacting with the B.N.T.G. to obtain more materials and resources. Dozens of different communities on Level 695 have visited Two-Way Town to join in their festivities, and there have even been rumors of a collaborative event in the works with the M.E.G. and B.N.T.G.
Entrances And Exits
Level 695 is fairly simple to enter and exit, with access points to several other levels.
Entrances
No-clipping in most outdoor levels will occasionally lead to Level 695, though this is an unreliable entry method.
Many levels contain more consistent entry points. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but includes the most common methods of reliably entering Level 695:
- Walking into certain rows of shrubbery on Level 10 or Level 184.
- Traveling down a dirt path in Level 39.
- Stepping between certain trees in Level 445.
- Wandering through the mist of Level 77 while near the intersection of the hills and forest.
Exits
The most accessible method of leaving Level 695 is to flag down a Threadlight, enter, and ride until it reaches a stop. Upon exiting the vehicle, wanderers will find themselves in another level, and the Threadlight will drive away before de-materializing. The most likely destination from this method is Level 11, though any level that contains a road or path of some kind is possible.
- Note: This method takes between thirty minutes and one hour, and it is highly advised to stay awake during the process. If one falls asleep before arriving at a destination level, they will find themselves in Level 69 or Level 238 upon awakening.4
The tunnel's entrance is lined with bright yellow lights.
It is also possible to exit the level by finding a road that changes direction or slopes downward. Following this path will eventually lead to the entrance of a well-lit tunnel, decorated with graffiti and grime.5 The tunnel extends indefinitely, with occasional doors and other branching paths. The doors are made from concrete and open into various indoor levels, commonly Levels 1 or 2.6 Additionally, wanderers who travel down one of the branching paths will end up in a random outdoor level, such as Levels 39 or 380.
Because of the uncertainty of Threadlight destination levels, it is recommended to use the tunnel exit method; as of now, there are 20 documented levels accessible through the tunnel, and more information on which paths lead where can be found in the M.E.G.'s Point Stone guidebook.
