Level 2

## Level 2: "Our Now Nightmares"

### Description:

**Level 2** consists of long, dim concrete maintenance hallways with steam pipes lining the walls and ceilings. Doors are rarely found; they house metal shelves and ventilation ducts. The pipes cause the heat in **Level 2** to reach immense temperatures, reportedly reaching 200 Fahrenheit (93 °C) and higher, boiling any wanderer alive. It is generally described as decrepitude compared to previous levels, with cracks in the stone surfaces and the pipes being rusted from what appears to be decades of neglect.

Occasionally, doors can lead to small rooms that may contain machinery that is connected to the pipes present throughout the level. Random items that were left by other explorers can be found on the metal shelves, providing resources for wanderers. Due to the insalubrious conditions found in **Level 2**, roaches and mice are found in the hallways. These creatures should not be eaten without proper preparation under any circumstances, due to the frequency of plagues and bacterial infections that can be caught through the consumption of these mice.

Some sections of **Level 2** are completely devoid of light, while others are only lit by alternate sources of light, such as flashlights and lamps. A notable, musty smell can be found in areas where the pipes exist. This is due to the presence of multiple different species of mold growing on the pipe walls and floors. Despite the inherent humidity, water itself is scarce, with the exception of a few small puddles scattered throughout; though, these puddles should only be used as a source of water when one has no other supply.

**Level 2** is far more dangerous than Level 1, due to the hazards mentioned above and the sheer number of entities inhabiting the level. If you come into contact with a creature in this level, it is advised that you should run immediately, as they are incredibly hostile and will kill off most victims; even those who escape may suffer serious wounds, usually hindering their ability to progress forward.

As one walks in this level, after a few days of traversing, the pipes will commonly be found with leaks; the steam being shot from these holes will heat up the tunnel, making it impossible for one to walk any further without suffering third degree burns. If one persists at this point, the tunnel will close behind them and they will be cooked alive.

### Entities:

Due to the extremely explored and mapped nature of **Level 2**, a variety of common and exclusive entities reside on this level. Additionally, due to **Level 2** being a "social hub" level, may entities that are well known in the current day were originally discovered within **Level 2**. These entities include Windows, Smilers, Deathmoths, Clumps, Jerry, Hounds, Facelings, Skin-Stealers, Wretches, Death Rats, Wranglers, and Photoshop. The only level exclusive entity is an "entity" by the name of Mark, who resides in one of the Bathrooms of **Level 2**. (*For more info, see: Mark's Bathroom*)

### Colonies and Outposts:

#### The Survivors:

A group of about 29 people explore the level. Their leader is named Austin, and they are friendly and open to trading. They hold their supplies in wooden crates found in Level 1. They were the first to discover the Wretch. This group often has conflicts with the Followers of Jerry outpost.

#### Office Space EL3A:

Office Space EL3A is an office space in **Level 2**, home to around 30 members of the B.N.T.G. *(For more info, see: Office Space EL3A)*

### Entrances and Exits:

**Level 2**, due to how well-understood it has become over the last few decades, has a variety of entrances and exits discovered that lead to other normal levels, sublevels, and enigmatic levels. This list is actively updated, and the entrances and exits currently known are below:

#### Entrances:

Infamously, **Level 2** is most easily accessible from Level 1 via traversing down any corridors that appear to go on for longer than most corridors do in the level. Many individuals have also noclipped into **Level 2** directly from The Frontrooms, which is supported by groups such as The Survivors, and allows them to continue their main ethos and work even after the blackout.

These exits, whilst not necessarily common Level 1, are common enough that they are one of the main ways individuals access **Level 2**, especially those fresh inside of The Backrooms from Level 0. However, there are a large array of other entrances into **Level 2**, which are as follows:

* **Level 2** can be accessed from Level -4 via climbing into small tunnels within its many large caverns.
* Random doors within Level -1 open to **Level 2**.
* Within Level 8's sprawling and confusing cave system, small air ducts or vents occasionally manifest within the stone walls. Whilst most are too small to climb in, entering the ones that are large enough lead to **Level 2**.
* Entering the doors of random buildings in Level 11, mainly the ones that lack interiors, have the potential to lead to **Level 2**.
* Some hallways that connect the various stores of Level 480 together can sometimes lead to **Level 2** instead of their actual target destination.

#### Exits:

The most well-known, easiest to find, and most commonly used exits from **Level 2** come in the form of exits to Level 1, Level 3, and oftentimes even Level 4, all of which take the form of unlocked doors. These exits, especially in recent years, are especially easy to spot as wanderers of years past often leave signs or engravings in the walls of anomalous doors that lead to these above levels.

Whilst not accounting for all of **Level 2**'s exits, a vast majority of ways to leave **Level 2** come for various anomalous doors that can be spotted semi-frequently. For the sake of categorisation, the exits section has split into multiple parts.

##### Exits via anomalous doors:

* By finding plywood doors in **Level 2**, one can enter Level 31.
* Any doors in **Level 2** that appear larger than any usual door, usually going from the floor to the ceiling, will go to Level 283. These doors are often painted in rainbow colors.
* As of the more common exits here, elevator-like doors will lead to Level 998.

##### Exits via other methods:

* Following the same entrance scheme as is suggested to do on Level 1, one can access The Hub from **Level 2**. However, the location in which to do so is not officialy known by most main groups, and exists mostly as talk between their members.
* Whilst traversing **Level 2**, it has been documented that individuals may suddenly find themselves seamlessly transitioning into Level 38.
* By wishing to use the restroom on **Level 2**, as well as others, one can spontaneously arrive on Level 189 after interacting with a door after they have made the wish.