SURVIVAL DIFFICULTY:
Class habitable
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Photo of Flower Shop Greenhouse.
Level 274 is the 275th level of the Backrooms. It is a seemingly infinite set of connected greenhouses with an undetermined amount of flora in each. It is unknown how long it has existed for, but the first M.E.G. explorations and interviews occurred in 2018.
Description
Nicknamed “The Flower Shop”, the level resembles a series of greenhouses of undetermined continuance, with long, narrow rows of tiered flower stands, raised flower beds, hanging flower beds, hanging flower pots, and pots along the walls.
The Greenhouse:
The greenhouses are, at present, the only confirmed rooms of the level. Each greenhouse is roughly 33ft (10m) by 330ft (30m), at the end of which is a wooden door that leads into another greenhouse of similar size. On occasion, a greenhouse will contain several doors, some that open to walls, others into another greenhouse. It is said that a greenhouse with 3 or more doors can lead into other levels, but these claims are unsubstantiated and yet to be confirmed.
Each room has corrugated, translucent panels typical of greenhouses that allow light to pass through, though it is currently unknown where the light originates from, or if there is even an outside. Repeated efforts by individuals to break these panels have proven futile, and it is currently thought to be indestructible. The light has been described by wanderers as ‘warm and pleasant, albeit bright,’ and no accurate measurements have been taken to date.
Along either wall are several raised flowerbeds, pots, or stands, henceforth known as rows, and the center has a similar row. The width of the row can vary from 1-3ft, and the length varies from room length down to 1ft. The space between rows is consistently 3ft (1m). Each individual row contains 20-50 pots, and every pot is 9 inches in diameter, regardless of the individual necessity of the plant. Each plant is in permanent bloom, bearing fruits and seeds, regardless of seasonal and temperature differences.
Running along the sides and the top of the walls are pipes with sprinklers protruding every 3ft. Every 20 hours, the sprinklers turn on for a period of up to 5 minutes, spraying the plants with warm Almond Water. Regardless of the temperature requirements of the various flora, the temperature has been recorded as being at a constant 82.4 °F (27 °C), and the humidity is room dependent, varying from a complete lack to tropical levels of humidity.
Strangely, the flora does not seem to be affected by either the temperature nor the humidity as they would naturally be in the Frontrooms, as Welwitschia mirabilis, endemic to the Namibian Desert, have been found thriving in rooms with relative humidity upward of 80%, alongside Prosthechea fragrans and Gurania insolita, both of which are native to the Central and South American tropics.
On entering, individuals will be presented with a sign reading “We have it all at this Flower Shop!” and “Buy one, Get one half off!” Even so, no cash register nor other form of construct besides flower beds have been found, and though price tags can be seen on every pot, none are legible, and some have been torn off completely.
Despite this claim of ‘having it all’, no trees or plants unable to flower have been seen, though plants bearing flower-like protrusions or semblance have been recorded, such as gymnosperms, the extinct progymnosperms, and some types of fungi, and no flowering trees have been discovered, though some flowering shrubs have. It is currently unknown what the level classifies as a tree or a flower.
Clintonia Borealis
Although trees seem to be excluded, entirely unique species of flowers have been discovered here, and up to thirty have been assigned a unique binomial. One notable example is the Lilium retrocella, colloquially the Blue-Banded Lily, which is similar to Clintonia borealis, known as the Corn Lily, except for its size, coloring, and stalks. While the Corn Lily sits atop 20 inch stalks, the Blue-Banded Lily’s stalks reach up to 50 inches, and its flowers are 10 inches in diameter.
Its trumpet-shaped flower has long, white petals with a light-blue base and yellow berry-like protrusions on its stamens. The berries are edible, though described as bitter, and the petals have similar medical properties as Almond Water. One M.E.G. researcher boiled the petals and found that they tasted ‘vaguely of Jasmine tea’, and was otherwise unimpressed by its flavour. The stem, research suggests, is poisonous, and has been found to contain trace amounts of cyanide, though not in amounts that are considered lethal.
Researchers are currently uncertain as to whether this is due to the Almond Water given to the flowers or by natural processes.
The Fountain:
The Fountain is an unconfirmed conjunct and exit from the level. It has only been witnessed twice, though neither by M.E.G. agents, and one of the reports came from an unreliable source. Both reports mention that there is an exit to Level 11.
Entity?
There is at least one entity on this level, but due to conflicting descriptions and the nature of the entity, the M.E.G. can neither confirm nor deny the existence of more than one.
The entity has been described twice as a faceless old man with short, greying blond hair, a receding hairline, wearing dirty, tan overalls buckled over a dark blue long sleeve. He can be seen holding rusted garden shears and wearing tall, black rubber boots.
Twice also has it been described as a faceless young woman with long, dark, wavy hair, wearing a white, ankle length dress, with a beige belt around her waist. She wears a light tan sun hat with a bow around the top, her shoes light tan with a gold buckle. She can be seen holding a green, plastic watering can.
Once has the entity been described as a faceless golden retriever wearing a tool belt, and once it was described as a blue bird, though the species is yet to be determined. There are other unconfirmed descriptions, and it is thought that the entity only appears before those who are alone, as it has never been witness by multiple individuals at the same time.
Despite the varying appearances, the entity, colloquially named "The Florist", is openly friendly and helpful, though it will become angered at attempts to block doorways, obstruct passages, or harm the flora or the greenhouse, both in and outside of its presence. It will not attack when angered, but will express deep disapproval and will attempt to remove the transgressor from the greenhouse. The Florist will do the same to any objects brought into the level not presently on a person, and it is currently unknown where these objects disappear to.
Interviews
The following are a collection of interviews between M.E.G. officers and various individuals who entered the Flower Shop.
The following are interviews yet to be transcribed, the M.E.G. apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause:
8-23-18
4-10-19
6-13-19
12-3-20
Attempted Bases
Although there are no current existing bases, there have been three major attempts by M.E.G. to establish permanent outposts on the level. Theoretically, the level can support major settlements, as it has plentiful food and water and is devoid of hostile entities, however, The Florist's tendency to remove foreign objects in the way of passages makes it difficult to leave anything unattended for extended periods of time, as well as the periodical relocation of the level entrance.
Base Zeta, A.K.A. Primrose
This was the 1st attempt by M.E.G. to establish a permanent outpost in The Flower Shop. A group of 6 agents from Base Beta, accompanied by 3 non-M.E.G. explorers, entered the Flower Shop with 5 months of rations, along with a single crate of various electronics. The spearhead entered into a greenhouse primarily filled with primroses. They set up a miniature outpost, boarding up the doors, and settled in.
As the group slept, a camera caught The Florist phasing through the eastern wall and removing the boards on the doors, placing electronics and the rations underneath the flowerbeds, where they promptly disappeared. The group awoke the next day, and The Florist removed them from the greenhouse.
Base Eta, A.K.A. Five Corners
This was the 3rd total attempt and second major attempt by M.E.G. to establish a permanent outpost in The Flower Shop. Twenty M.E.G.-affiliated individuals, along with 4 M.E.G. agents, established an outpost in a room with three doors, one jutting from a corner. They did not bring rations, as it had been established then that the flora was edible, and they did not bring electronics, for fear that it would go missing.
The Florist was displeased with the crowd, and removed them from the level for "blocking the passageways".
Base Theta, A.K.A. Marigold
This was the 6th total attempt and final major attempt by M.E.G. to establish a permanent outpost in The Flower Shop. Five individuals in total came, with one M.E.G. agent, Agent al-Moudi. They did not bring rations or electronics. They appeared in a greenhouse containing several varieties of marigold.
The purpose of this mission was to establish an outpost and locate The Fountain, as, by this time, the second report of its existence came in. This was the longest-lasting attempt, for over 4 months the base operated and saw several join their number, with Marigold having 10 permanent residents and 34 temporary residents.
Unfortunately, various residents began to attempt to no-clip through the flowerbeds and other objects, leading to The Florist removing them from the level. Following this attempt, the M.E.G. has deemed it futile to attempt to settle this level as it is now, and no further excursions would be undertaken by them.
Log Transcription
In the months following Agent al-Moudi's failure to establish a permanent settlement in the Flower Shop, he became increasingly agitated, nicknamed by his peers as "Moody Moudi". On May 26th, 2021, he was last seen entering the Flower Shop through the stand on Level 11. On August 8th, 2021, Base Beta's shortwave receivers picked up a signal being broadcasted, the following is a transcript of the contents.
-Transcript Begins-
[[Distant footsteps can be heard. Near by, rustling, later identified as clothing, can be heard. The footsteps stop, and a woman's voice can be heard fainty.]]
???: "Who is there?"
[[The footsteps increase in volume, as if the source is getting closer. The rustling ceases. The radio is turned off and on over the course of several minutes, shallow breathing can be heard near the handheld. The following is the pattern received.]]
-… . . -. [[Been]]
..-. —- ..- -. -.. [[Found]]
[[A deep voice is heard speaking, though inaudibly, to the same woman's voice. Portions of their conversation can be heard, but it has been rendered unintelligible.]]
[[Sounds of running in the distance grows louder as whomever is running closes in on the radio, static muffling the audio. The rustling begins again, a new sound of running joining the prior, and the radio squeals to life. Agent al-Moudi can be heard yelling.]]
Agent al-Moudi: "I fou- [[heavy distortion]] I FOUND IT! I know w-/[[static]]// that f[[unintelligible]] I know where the [[stuff?]] went, I know!"
[[The receiver then records sounds of a struggle, the radio clanking and sliding onto the floor, and the recording ends.]]
With the use of digital enhancement, a better transcript could be created with audio previously thought to be noise or unintelligible, provided below.
-New Transcript-
[[Distant footsteps can be heard. Near by, rustling, later identified as clothing, can be heard. The footsteps stop, and a woman's voice can be heard fainty, although with greater clarity than previously.]]
???: "I think I heard s [[something?]."
[[The footsteps grow closer, and the voice is heard much clearer, as if the woman's head was turned towards the radio.]]
???: "Who is there?"
[[The footsteps increase in volume, as if the source is getting closer. The rustling ceases. The radio is turned off and on over the course of several minutes, shallow breathing can be heard near the handheld. The following is the pattern received.]]
-… . . -. [[Been]]
..-. —- ..- -. -.. [[Found]]
[[A deep, gruff voice is heard speaking, though inaudibly, to the same woman's voice. Portions of their conversation can be heard.]]
Deep Voice: "Who a… [[are you talking to?]]?
Light Voice: "I heard something, over there."
[[Sounds of running in the distance grows louder as whomever is running closes in on the radio, static muffling the audio. The rustling begins again, a new sound of running joining the prior, and the radio squeals to life. Agent al-Moudi can be heard yelling.]]
Agent al-Moudi: "I found the [[Fountain?]] I FOUND IT! I know what /[[happens? static]]// that f[[fall? A deep voice booms "Stop!"]] I know where the [[stuff?]] went, I know!"
<End Log>
Summary: Although the transmiting location was originally thought to be Level 274, various sounds in the background previously unrecognizable due to audio distortion has been determined to be the sound of wind, various bird calls, and rushing water, which Level 274 does not have, based on the current information the M.E.G. has recorded. Based off this information, this has led researchers to believe he may have found an exit to another level, or that he had found an undiscovered portion of Level 274. As it stands, the M.E.G. has found no reason to change the level's classification, nor any evidence to disprove its current status.
The fate of Agent al-Moudi is unknown to date, and any pertinent information regarding his whereabouts will be rewarded at the nearest M.E.G. base, pending confirmation.
Entrances And Exits
Entrances
Entrance to the Level.
There is no fixed entrance, as the location changes on a bi-monthly interval. However, there is one known method to enter.
You must be on Level 11, and you need to follow the faint smell of flowers. The stronger the scent of the flowers, the farther away you are, so you must instead walk away from it. If you come across a flower stand, usually at a corner, and you either pick up a flyer from it that reads “We have it all at this Flower Shop!” or pick one of the arranged flowers, you will be instantly transported to a greenhouse.
It is unknown whether this level can be accessed on other levels, but it is theorized to be possible.
Exits
Save for the possible Fountain exit or being forcibly removed, there is currently no known and confirmed exits. Theoretical exits include a report of a stone cave leading out to a mountain path, as well as bio-luminescent vines over a doorway.
Attempting to no-clip will lead to an eventual removal by The Florist, as no-clipping damages the objects of the greenhouse.
Currently, M.E.G. agents have only confirmed removal by force as a way to exit and return to Level 11.
- Level 11
- Level 414 [Unconfirmed]
- Level 797 [Unconfirmed]