Level 9.1

Level 9.1 is a sub-level of Level 9.
Description
Level 9.1, also occasionally referred to as "Winter Nights", is an expansive suburban area stuck covered in a thick layer of snow. Despite the unceasing snowfall, the snow level strangely never changes, with seemingly no rational explanation for it. The level is shrouded in an impenetrable darkness, limiting the vision of all who enter the level. Flashlights and other handheld light sources do not work here; the only light sources available are the occasional streetlamp, or a light from inside one of the level's houses. 
Said houses are possible to enter; however entering them reveals the interior of the house is far larger than what should be possible, exhibiting non-Euclidean geometry. Due to this strange phenomenon, many wanderers become hopelessly lost within the level's houses, never to be seen again. It should also be noted that other structures dot the level's landscape, including playgrounds, parks, gas stations and stores.
The playgrounds of the level are extremely unsettling, often giving wanderers the feeling that something is watching them as they explore the area. The swings have been reported to move on their own, making wanderers hesitant to enter the level's playgrounds. The air itself feels thin around these areas and the ground reportedly feels like it give way at any moment, as if these playgrounds shouldn't even exist in the first place.
Level 9.1's stores are usually boarded up, seemingly having been abandoned for years. However, one may stumble across an open store. These stores are devoid of all life, and are eerily quiet. The shelves are filled with unrecognizable products with seemingly no real purpose, giving the stores a surreal feeling. Despite the dreamlike and slightly unnerving aura these stores give off, they are by far the safest place within this level.
Wanderers have also reported vast, expansive forests deep into the level. The trees here pierce the level's shroud of darkness, leaving their tops completely unseen. These trees are thought to have completely white leaves, due to white leaves being discovered buried beneath the snow. These forests are also completely silent to the point that one cannot even hear their own footsteps.
Inside these forests, it is possible to come across abandoned cabins, albeit very unlikely. These cabins often have graffiti on the side, usually taking the form of cryptic messages without any obvious meaning. However, going inside one is inadvisable, as the cabins seem to be very likely to collapse. Some wanderers have also reported groups of Smilers infesting the cabins, however these claims are currently unconfirmed.
Level 9.1 is extremely cold, at around -5℃ (or 23℉). This cold environment makes the level almost inhospitable. However, there are some areas of the level that can reach as low as -20℃ (or -4℉). These areas are often deep into the level's forests. There is also a constant heavy wind, but it is impossible to determine what direction it is even with compasses, as compasses instantly break on this level. The reasons for this are currently unknown. 
===Fake Noise Phenomenon===
Within this level, wanderers may hear a car horn off in the distance, or the sound of footsteps directly behind them. This is an example of the Fake Noise Phenomenon, a level-exclusive phenomenon where wanderers report hearing sounds that don't exist. The longer one stays in this level, the more unsettling and alien these sounds will become. Once the noises become almost unbearable, they will abruptly stop, and the cycle will restart all over again. 
Discovery
Level 9.1 was discovered by a M.E.G team exploring Level 9 in 2007. Suddenly, a snowstorm hit, and they were transported here. The team of 5 managed to escape successfully, and reported their findings. Upon hearing about these findings, a team of 8 from the B.I.F entered the level. However, 7 of their members vanished without a trace. Only one member survived, called Paul Karter. Even so, he was on the brink of insanity due to FNP.
A few audio logs were recovered from the B.I.F's expedition into this level, spanning over 4 weeks.
Audio Log 01 - approximately 5 minutes after entry
-Research Station "Willow" operative: This is research station Willow. Have you had any luck entering 9.1?
-P.K: Yes, we're in.
-Operative: Good. Scout the area and look for anything that could be of use.
 
-P.K: Well, we can't really see anything, since this place is so fucking dark.
 
-Operative: Does your flashlight work?
-P.K: Nope. 
-Operative: Well then, tread carefully, you never know what's nearby.
-P.K: Got it.
(audio log ends.)
Audio Log 02 - approximately 2 days after entry
-Operative: This is research station Willow. How is the expedition?
-P.K: We unfortunately lost 2 of our members. They went into a house and never came out.
-Operative: Do not attempt to send someone else in to find them, in case you lose even more members.
-P.K: Understood.
(audio log ends.)
Audio Log 03 - approximately 1 week after entry
-Operative: This is research station Willow. Update on the expedition?
-P.K: I need to leave. I keep hearing shit that's not there.
-Operative: Do you have Almond Water on you?
-P.K: Yes, I've drunk plenty, but the noises are still there.
-P.K: Hell, 2 of our remaining members just walked out after hearing the noises.
-Operative: Search for an exit. ASAP.
(audio log ends.)
Audio Log 04 - approximately 2 weeks after entry
-Operative: This is research station Willow. Any luck with the exit?
-P.K: No. I'm the only one left. This is too fucking much for me.
-P.K: The other three, well, I found them dead.
-Operative: Describe where you saw them.
-P.K: The three of them were sitting in a circle in the middle of a playground.
-Operative: Stay away from the playgrounds at all costs. Understood?
-P.K: Why?
-Operative: Paul Karter. Do you understand?
-P.K: Yes.
(audio log ends.)
Audio Log 05 - approximately 4 weeks after entry
-Operative: This is research station Willow. Are you making any progress on leaving?
-P.K: Not yet. Hopefully I should be able to leave soon. I fear there is something worse going on in this level.
-Operative: Explain.
-P.K: I saw a Skin-Stealer's corpse. Looked like something had just come and killed it easily. Can't be a person. I mean, what sort of gun is able to rip a hole that large in your chest?
-Operative: We need you back within the next few days. Don't stop moving. Now go!
(audio log ends.)
Karter was able to return to Level 9 approximately 10 hours after Audio Log 05.
Entities
Entities are a rare occurrence in Level 9.1, and they are additionally not the primary threat here. However, the most prominent entity here are the Smilers, with many wanderers reporting groups of them hiding in dark areas of the levels. Deathmoths are another common species of entity here, often nesting in houses within the level. 
A strange property regarding the entities here is that they seem to act a lot less hostile when alone. Many wanderers have reported normally aggressive entities, such as Skin-Stealers, running away from them, or corpses of entities that have killed themselves due to the level's effects.
Colonies and Outposts
Due to the level's harsh environment and effects on sanity, no colonies or outposts currently exist on Level 9.1. However, the B.I.F and M.E.G have attempted to establish outposts here on 3 separate occasions. Each outpost lasted 1-2 months before the members went insane. Because of these occurrences, the M.E.G has said that no wanderer should ever try creating a colony/outpost here.
Entrances and Exits
===Entrances===
The only entrance to this level is to be caught in a snowstorm in Level 9.
===Exits===
- Cabins have a small chance to contain a basement. In the basement is a door leading back to Level 9.
- Entering an area cordoned off by police tape sends the wanderer to Level -6.
- Finding a skyscraper and entering it leads to Level 11.
Category:Levels
Category:Cluster I
Category:Sub-Levels