Level 10

## Description

**Level 10** is an expansive pasture of wheat and barley fields stretching endlessly in all directions, divided into plots by lines of trees and shrubbery.

The climate of the level never appears to shift from an overcast, leaden sky, with brief and infrequent spells of light rain and fog. The dreary atmosphere of **Level 10**, coupled with its unchanging state of daylight, makes it somewhat difficult to keep track of time, with only the occasional gust of wind among the crops to break up the uniformity.

A lake in Level 10.

Bodies of water are present throughout **Level 10** below one consistent elevation, which likely occurs due to the level's soil possessing slight hydrophobic properties, preventing the irrigation of water into the ground. The water from these pits has been deemed safe for human consumption, although its taste has been reported to have an earthy undertone. Upon inspection, it appears to be free of algae and other organisms, only containing various microbes and types of benign fungi. The water is believed to be highly oxygenated, which likely contributes to its clear, seemingly uncontaminated appearance. Areas surrounding these lakes often have a less cultivated appearance, including patches of dirt and grass.

A diverse range of structures may be found intermittently in **Level 10**, such as small wooden sheds and outbuildings, as well as larger barns and stables. These structures appear to be largely empty on the inside, aside from often housing certain useful resources, namely wood and nails. These resources, along with the structural elements of the buildings themselves, may be of interest for various purposes such as construction. While the potential for establishing permanent settlements in **Level 10** appears promising, further analysis is needed before a final decision can be reached.

The lines of shrubbery that separate the pastures of **Level 10** into plots are of varying species and do not appear to have any unusual properties, aside from the fact that they do not seem to outgrow one another; rather, they consistently remain at the same height. The trees in particular are of an average hardness and can be used as a source of wood, although it has proven more practical to obtain wood from the empty structures throughout the level. Further investigation of the plants may yield additional insights into their potential uses and characteristics, as well as insights into the general ecology of **Level 10**.

Dirt paths are often present throughout **Level 10**, distinguished by two strips of tire tracks separated by a strip of grass, suggesting that the paths are frequently used by vehicles such as cars or tractors. However, despite this evidence of regular usage, no such vehicles have ever been observed on **Level 10**. These dirt tracks do not appear to regrow, and in addition, attempts to cultivate plants on these roads have failed, with sown seeds failing to germinate. Additionally, it has been observed that following these roads for a prolonged distance can often lead one to Level 11.

## Entities

The worms of Level 10.

There are very few unique entities in **Level 10**, except for the small, wormlike entities that inhabit the soil beneath the surface. These worms have been observed through the use of shovels to dig into the soil, which is only one meter deep before giving way to the mass of worms writhing in the darkness below. It is currently unknown how far down the worms extend or where they originate, and further exploration beneath the one-meter depth has been deemed infeasible due to logistic and safety concerns.

It is advised to proceed with caution if excavating the soil in **Level 10**, as it has been observed that digging a hole deeper than one meter may result in the rapid emergence of worms from the soil. This can present several hazards, including the potential for slipping or falling injuries, damage to clothing, and even the risk of physical harm from worms attempting to burrow into the skin. If one wishes to collect them for any purpose, it is recommended to limit excavation to small holes rather than deep trenches to minimize risk.

## Bases, Communities and Outposts

As the level has mainly served as a transitory location for the M.E.G., **Level 10** has no dedicated outposts within it. If a team is to stay in the level, they are to do so for a short time in one of its naturally occurring structures, such as a barn. The creation of an outpost within **Level 10** has ultimately been deemed a waste of resources due to the ease of access to Level 11.

Recently, concerns about the nutritional value of the wheat in **Level 10** have led to the M.E.G. halting its harvest from the level, which used to be carried out regularly. The wheat appears to be safe to consume and thus its flour may be used as a thickener in recipes, but grain harvesting outposts on other levels have been deemed more beneficial to the health of wanderers overall.

## Entrances and Exits

### Entrances

* Walkways in Level 9 that lead to grass fields may lead one to this level.
* In certain streets on Level 11, you can find a back road that leads to **Level 10**.

### Exits

* Finding a road and following it for a prolonged period may eventually lead one to Level 11.
* Finding a patch of canola among the wheat and entering it will lead one into Level 184.
* Swimming into a lake can lead one to a number of aquatic levels; research into which levels exactly are accessible is underway.