Level -221

Level -221: "Hadal Waters"
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Level -221 is designated as the 221st negative level of the Backrooms.
Description
Level -221, informally known as the Hadal Waters or the Forbidden Depths, is an expansive ocean shrouded in darkness with few illumination sources. The level features winding caves and deep crevices beneath the ocean floor. Above the waters are a clear, dark sky dotted with twinkling stars and asteroids. Level -221's temperature balances at a frigid 4.1°C (39.4 °F). The surface of the ocean appears eerily undisturbed. Throughout the level, one will commonly find large swathes of dead corals and marine life carcasses, implying that life once thrived in a past time. Within the caverns, the only illumination comes from glowing rocks, dormant glowing orbs, and unidentifiable biological matter.
Throughout the caverns, one may find a saving grace for their breath loss, taking the form of air pockets near the ceilings of some caves. These air pockets replicate a breathable atmosphere suitable for wanderers. The oxygen supply replenishes through small holes dotting the walls of the air pocket. However, the influx is insufficient for a wanderer to rely on a singular air pocket for extended periods. Breathable air also emanates from hydrothermal vents scattered throughout Level -221 as they appear on the ocean floor and the caverns. Hydrothermal vents sport vents where one can draw air through their mouth or refill an oxygen tank.
On the surface of Level -221, one may occasionally spot mirages on the horizon. Examples of mirages include aircraft, celestial bodies, towering skyscrapers, mountains, islands, etc. These mirages usually appear at the corner of a wanderer's eye, but when one tries to direct their focus onto the mirage, it quickly vanishes, leaving no trace. These mirages also will not appear captured via camera. Many speculate that these mirages are mere hallucinations due to reports from individuals with lower sanity levels. Some have reported sounds coming from the mirages, including jet engine noises and explosions.
Level -221 posits an anomaly where one can smell objects underwater. The most dominant smell within the level is rotten marine carcasses, found commonly throughout the level's surface. Other odors include ocean water, petrichor, and termites. Oddly, it has been reported that only some wanderers can sense smell within the level. Some have described smelling scents that are exclusive to the level. There are also a few reports of wanderers losing their smell temporarily once they have departed Level -221.
It is unsafe to ingest the waters of Level -221. The waters comprise deuterium water, informally known as heavy water. When one consumes heavy water in large quantities, it results in dizziness and low blood pressure. The water is also highly salinated, with a higher salinity than the Frontrooms' ocean water. Additionally, invisible microplastics litter the ocean waters, polluting them. Consumption of the water may result in severe sickness and death. Almond Water can help alleviate illnesses inflicted by drinking Level -221's water.
The level's nature of being in the negatives makes it susceptible to a haphazardly glitching nature. Throughout Level -221, one may find small objects with glitch-like textures, becoming more frequent as one ventures into the abyssal caverns. These glitching objects range in size from minor pebbles to whole passageways. Glitching objects are highly volatile since they are vulnerable to phenomena including spontaneous combustion, moving around in random directions defying known laws of physics, random noclipping through surfaces, or other inexplicable phenomena. Rarely, the wanderer may glitch out, resulting in noclipping to The Void.
Interlevel communication between Level -221 and other levels is possible but severely limited. Communication devices between two parties within the level are possible, regardless of position. However, communication between two parties from different levels is only doable if the device in Level -221 is exposed to air via the surface or an air pocket. This phenomenon increases the difficulty of exploring the level and gathering knowledge about it. Scientists from multiple Backrooms groups are studying this phenomenon to prevent its impact on communication devices for less tedious exploration of the level.
The Flicker
Level -221 is a level that has been badly hit by The Flicker. Before the initial blackout, Level -221 was a lush ocean once teeming with coral reefs and marine animals. The level once had a celestial body illuminating the level, providing sunlight for the coral reefs and seaweed. Glowing rocks and animals once illuminated the dark caves beneath the ocean floor. The level was devoid of any glitchy objects or communication phenomena. Many harvested the overgrown seaweed and hunted the creatures to satiate their hunger.
Once the Flicker occurred, Level -221 immediately lost its 'sun,' and the glowing rock formations in the caves lost their phosphorescence. The lack of sunlight killed the coral reefs and seaweed, and the animals swiftly followed suit. After a week, the level has become an immense marine graveyard shrouded in a perpetual night. Level -221 has made slight recoveries ever since, with the underground rocks slowly regaining their mystic glow at a slow pace. Scientists estimate that Level -221 won't fully recover from the Flicker for centuries and possibly millennia. They also state that marine life will not return to the ocean.
Entities
Currently, no entities or marine life reside within Level -221.
Colonies and Outposts
Major Explorer Group Base MO
The Major Explorer Group base MO is the most populated settlement within Level -221. MO is an abbreviation for "mortuus oceanum," translating to "dead ocean" in Latin. The base is situated in the level's most voluminous known air pocket, where size and air supply are sufficient to sustain wanderers. The base consists of tents surrounding a central gathering area in the middle. Currently, they are not open to trading, have a population of 22 M.E.G. personnel, and only accept assigned M.E.G. personnel to reside within the colony. Their main focus is to study more about Level -221's anomalous nature.
Backroom Explorers Base MC
The Backroom Explorers base MC is a small group of wanderers residing in Level -221. MC is an abbreviation for "Mama Cocha," the Incan goddess of the sea and fishes. A small, abandoned, yet livable submarine houses the minuscule settlement. They are currently open to trading and have a population of seven explorers. They only accept Backroom Explorer members to become permanent residents, although they permit outsiders to stay within their cabin shortly.
Entrances and Exits
===Entrances===
*Doors labeled "221" on Level -1 lead here.
*Noclipping through an arcade machine themed around the sea in Level -18 leads one here.
*Black slides in Level -37 lead here.
*Noclipping through a tree in Level -108 leads one here.
*Leaping into a body of liquid water in the Frozen Caves of Level -344 leads one here.
*Ordering water in a cafe on Level -895 leads one here. 
===Exits===
*Touching a glitching structure leads one to either Level -1000 or The Void.
*Noclipping in an air pocket leads one to Level -69.
*Entering through an out-of-place glass door leads one to Level -33.
*Entering through a deep hole of water sends one to Level -606.
Category:Levels
Category:Cluster -I
Category:Negative Levels
Category:Unconfirmed Levels
Category:Dangerous
Category:Environmental Hazards
Category:Aquatic
Category:Class 4e - Environmental
Category:M.E.G
Category:Backroom Colonists