Level -9

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← → ↻ ⌂🔓︎ www.MEG.com/**Level\_-9**

> I noticed the red light from a shining lamp softly hit my eyes. I briefly gazed at it, and was immediately struck by the blue light coming from the immense rocky celestial object behind the miniature clouds.
>
> R. Ash, a wanderer.

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**Survival Difficulty: Class 1e - Environmental** **>> Safe** **>> Unstable Obstructive Layout and Structures** **>> Abstracted Properties**

## General Interpretation

Oddly familiar... An image of a bridge in **Level -9**, with an infamous red lamp in front of it.

 **Level -9**, known by nomads as **"Mystifying Aura"** represents a town of architectural design from the early and mid-19th and 20th century, spanning for an indefinite amount of length. Being from such early time era, many modern things from the late 20th century and the 21st century, namely asphalt roads, electrical poles, automobiles and streetlights are absent in **Level -9**. The roads are instead substituted by dirt or brick pathways, with the only motive of transportation being by foot. Structures including restaurants, retail outlets, houses, churches, museums, libraries, mail outposts, and much more dominate the town landscape. Howbeit, supplies such as Almond Water or Moth Jelly are scarce; therefore, it is recommended to bring supplies if staying in the level for a prolonged period of time.
A lot of the buildings in **Level -9** are positioned in a strange manner, with frequent instances of some being positioned upside down, leaning on another building like dominoes, and some laying on the ground. Additionally, the inside of edifices placed in awkward positions appear to have broken gravity. For example, someone walking into an upside-down house will be immediately attracted to the "floor", and rise quickly until they impact the floor, as if the person was standing on the ceiling in an ordinary house and fell onto the floor. This just doesn't apply to humans, but also to objects. Furthermore, should the person break the floor whilst upside down and attempt to escape, the gravity from outside the house will push the person back into the house, meanwhile the gravity in the house will try to push them out of it. This effectively puts the person in a stuck position. Fortunately, it is relatively effortless to escape with a couple tries. Residing in the households is possible, provided that the positioning and gravity is suitable enough for inhabitation. Aside from the odd position and gravity the structures are situated in, the rest of their properties are just normal. The majority of the outlets and other buildings in **Level -9** are rather empty, with little to no appliances nor furniture. Despite the lack of furniture accompanying the edifices, they themselves are in pristine condition, with rare exemplars of buildings being dilapidated or in worse condition. Streetlights are replaced with lamps, coming in varying designs and dotting the landscape, as well as serving as the only constant source of light during night. The most prominent structures within the level are brick bridges, where interestingly, asphalt roads can be found. These bridges are reported to have anomalous properties, namely:

* Any light that is shined onto any bridge will be reflected back to the viewer as blue. The only time where light reflected back isn't blue is when the level is in its Snowy State;
* The bricks the bridge is comprised of seem to be much more reflective than ordinary bricks, even though there isn't any glass texture the bricks possess;
* Any lamps situated close to a bridge are much more likely to be a Red Lamp;
* Some bridges may override or stack on top of each other;
* Certain bridges' passageways underneath them will be blocked off;
* Bricks making up the bridges may fall off without warning.
* Bridges may occasionally be vandalized by graffiti, it most commonly depicting face expressions as emoticons. The graffiti is also able to glow whenever its surroundings aren't well lit.

All of these factors make bridges the most unstable structures in the level. Regardless, it is safe to approach and stand on top of them, albeit it's best to be cautious, especially if it’s multiple bridges overriding each other. No cases of the bridges collapsing have been reported; however, bricks making up the structure of them have been described to randomly fall off, potentially inflicting injuries to victims. Wanderers who get near these bridges are reported to feel a nostalgic sensation, moreover, feel some familiarity with the structures, yet can't quite recall where it was seen it before. The reason why the bridges within **Level -9** behave strangely is unclear, but extensive research is being done on them as of now.
Blue skies... A photograph of an alleyway in **Level -9** during dusk. -7/16/2014

 One may periodically encounter compact grass parks and forests mainly pushed "to the side", as they are more commonly encountered upon voyaging further away from the center. The various species of vegetation within these areas is akin to plant life from the Frontrooms. Furthermore, potted vegetation is also spotted outside of homes, which are safe for human consumption so long if it's treated properly. Nevertheless, M.E.G. operatives have found it peculiar the flora is able to thrive despite of being disrupted by the day and night cycle, although wayfarers suggested the possibility of the plant life being adapted to such conditions.
**Level -9** possesses a day and night cycle. However, unlike the standard 24-hour day and night cycle, the level follows a 12-month day and night cycle, both the daytime (January - July) and nighttime (August - December) lasting for 6 months, with July being dusk, plus the December being dawn. The weather in **Level -9** is mostly clear, with no clouds visible during the day and night. At day, a star resembling the Sun (Sol) in the Frontrooms is seen; at the night, it is possible to spot stars in the skies, along with an immense moon that noticeably looks akin to the Earth's moon, Luna. In addition, the moon shines bright blue light, illuminating the entire town and giving the night sky a slight blue hue. These celestial objects rise in the west and set in the east. The temperature in **Level -9** fluctuates, with the lowest temperature recorded during this state being a cool -5°C (23°F), and the highest recorded being 19°C (66.2°F). Oddly, the temperature is not influenced by the day or night, and purely changes at random, unless the level is during its snowy state.
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The geography of **Level -9** is somewhat bland; rivers can occasionally be found, yet are smaller than usual. Fresh consumable water flows through these rivers, paired with infrequently appearing canoes. These canoes can't be used normally, as trying to interact with them will causes the person to be sent to a different level. As the level seemingly spans for indefinite length, no origin nor mouth of these rivers have been discovered. Sewer pipes that would release sewage into the rivers are nowhere to be found either. The elevation of the level is also quite low, estimated to be below sea levels with no mountains nor any high topographic points, albeit small hills can be found.

## Anomalies

### **The Snowy State**

> Knowing the lack of entities, the sheer amount of snow and the darkness that shrouds the level is calming, yet so unearthly. It reminds me how isolated I am from civilization, and what was once the former home of mine.
>
> J. Trev, a temporary resident of **Level -9** -9/4/2018

Dim lights... A snapshot of **Level -9** during its snowy state. -11/6/2015

 **The Snowy State** is an infrequent state the level enters whenever it becomes night. The exact chances of the state happening are undetermined, but estimates place it at 20 - 40%, with the chances appearing to increase or decrease based on the person's feelings. As the name implies, when this state occurs, clouds will begin to appear and dominate the night sky, eventually beginning to snow. As opposed to the night sky being a blue hue and the celestial object reflecting blue light, the sky in this state will rather appear slightly orange. It continuously snows during the snowy state, not stopping whatsoever until it becomes daytime. The temperature will drop below -5°C (23°F) and fluctuate between -5°C (23°F) to a cold -17°C (1.4°F), which is reported to not go any lower. Likewise, temperatures this low is able to give unprepared wanderers common illnesses, such as the common cold or even hypothermia in extreme conditions.
Hence, it's either advised to stay inside the buildings with heating systems, or be dressed properly throughout **the Snowy state**. The visibility is noticeably lower, due to the snow plus the darkness obscuring one's eyesight. The only sections where visibility can better be maintained is near lamps. Blizzards are common throughout the state, making it slightly more hazardous. Due to it snowing constantly, this consequently leads to a huge buildup of snow in untouched areas of the level. The huge snow piles typically just act as an inconvenience to many, but nonetheless, can block certain paths, disrupt doorways, and if ever located on roofs of the buildings, can potentially fall off onto clueless wanderers. Boiling and filtering the snow turns it into water safe for human consumption. It is noted that the water isn't Almond Water, thus only replenishes thirst. **The Snowy State** inevitably stops once the level transitions to daytime in late December, although the snow is able to persist until late January to early February, when temperatures begin to hover above 0°C (32°F), the melting point for snow. When the snow melts, however, no water appears as a byproduct, suggesting the snow is rather perishing.

### Red Lamps

File:RedLamp.jpg
A pair of red lamps located on top of a bridge. -1/7/2016

 **Red Lamps** are the anomalous counterpart to regular lamps that are found mostly near bridges scattered throughout **Level -9**. In addition, they can be created if a regular lamp is shattered or tampered with. Unlike ordinary lamps, **Red Lamps** are fainter and are less reliable in terms of being a light source. Despite what their ominous name would imply, **Red Lamps** aren't inherently dangerous, albeit they inherit anomalous properties that differentiate them from ordinary lamps.
Should one go near the proximity of a **Red Lamp**, the lamp will shine a beam of light will aim the wanderer's eye. It isn't strong enough to make them flinch, but will for certain make the wanderer notice the light beam. Wanderers might subsequently get attracted to the lamp, somewhat in fashions to moths do with light sources. One is able to break out of this mindset by being distracted away from the red lamp, or boredom can set in the victim, causing them to click out of the behavior without interference. The cause of this behavior is unclear, though the red lamps being out of place due to being abnormally colored red compared to the more recognizable white/orange lamps may be the culprit. **Red Lamps** are also capable of preventing anything thrown to them from damaging them via abruptly stopping the object midair, and temporarily keeping them in orbit around them before dropping the object to the ground. If the offender attempts to repeatedly throw pieces at a **Red Lamp**, the **Red Lamp** may toss it back at the offender, which can injure the offender based on the object.

Instead of a light bulb found in the center of a lamp, **Red Lamps** have a slight faint depiction of a level or something that relates to the level. Whenever someone no-clips into the **Red Lamp** depicting a level or an object representing a level, the wanderer will be sent to that particular level. Whilst any level can be depicted by a **Red Lamp**, the most common instances of levels being depicted are the Main Nine, the first 8 negative levels, Level 9 to Level 30, The Void, Level 999, and Level -1000. During the Negative Gltich, **Red Lamps** will go out of control, shooting light beams spontaneously in any direction, as well as lifting surrounding items and flinging them. The objects can be thrown as far as 65 feet away from the **Red Lamp**, posing them as hazards. Anyone in the level during the Negative Glitch are thereby advised to stay indoors to ensure safety from the potentially incoming hazards.

### Analysis - The "Connection" Phenomenon

M.E.G. Analysis - Connection to Wanderers
**Level -9** apparently has a special connection to the wanderers that enter it. Called the Connection Phenomenon, these wanderers have claimed the weather patterns in the level seem to have some sort of correlation to the majority of the wanderers' feelings; essentially, if most of the wanderers who've entered the level before August had negative emotions in the level, **the Snowy State** had a higher chance of occurring. Likewise, wayfarers have suggested the daytime represented joy, and familiarity, whereas the night represented nostalgia and memories, and **the Snowy State** represented isolation, emotions, and calmness.

It's unconfirmed whether the wanderer is either controlling the weather, the weather is affected based on the wanderer or if it's a coincidence. Nonetheless, this phenomenon is known to trigger a relaxing and isolated sensation. In addition, this phenomenon causes wanderers to associate the characteristics of **Level -9** with their memories. Furthermore, it has been reported that during the Negative Gltich, the phenomenon amplifies for a brief period of time. Many have associated this level as a rest stop, before resuming one's journey. As a result, many who enter **Level -9** usually choose to stay longer within it, due to its anomalous properties besides other prominent factors.

- *M.E.G. research team*

## Addendum

Addendum - Reflection

**Shifting Emotions**

File:91Snow.png Snowy Bridge...

Being tasked with exploring the negative levels deeper, I have ended up in such a familiar, yet peculiar spot at the same time. Orange skies pouring snow into a medieval town. The rocky pathways and the bridges are akin to a town in Europe during those medieval times. Standing on a bridge, I can gaze at the entire landscape dotted with structures, spanning for miles, maybe even forever. As I walk on a bridge, the sound of me stepping on the snow echoes through alleyways, throughout the desolate landscape. The footprints are marked as well as a postage stamp, the crunch of snow like leaves in autumn.

File:Mixkit-arctic-winds-1154.wav
I can feel the wind transporting cold to my body; the cold traveling for miles across the desolate townscape, only for its journey to be interrupted by me. Each time I touch the top of my head, I brush off an entire hill of snowflakes. The plain of undisturbed snow that I associate it with comfort is simply satisfying. The feeling that you can lay down on the snow similarly to an expansive carpet. The howling wind brings music to my ears, and makes me wonder, where human civilization is. I feel so isolated, yet part of my curious thoughts thinks there's something around the corner. Even with my walkie-talkie for communicating with the M.E.G. equipped with me doesn't change anything.

The howls the wind make is like that of the arctic - maybe a settlement in the arctic, perhaps? The scenery is reminiscent of me as a child, in the night before Christmas, when I'd used to look out of the window, and see an empty-inducing landscape, waiting for *him* to arrive. The absence of people, also excitingly waiting for the same reasons. I also remember when me and my father would walk down small pathways in our bustling city together. It was those times that made my life great. Now that I'm restarting it as an explorer for the M.E.G., these spaces have been reminding me of several memorable periods of my young life. Whilst some aren't favorable, the memories that are favorable are honestly comforting. The memories make me wish I was back in the Frontrooms with my family and friends; it isn't the same just voice-chatting them through facetime. It slightly makes me feel sad, I just miss the days.

Regardless, life moves on. We're approaching new beginnings.

*-R. Parc, a M.E.G. explorer associate -8/15/2015*

## Entities

**Level -9** is thought to be completely devoid of entities, though some theorizers think otherwise, stating that the anomalous properties of ****Level -9**** intentionally hide them from their viewpoints. But these claims haven't been confirmed. Some used to suggest that the **Red Lamps** were entities, but this has been debunked.

## Colonies and Outposts

It has been determined that colonies and outposts are possible to be established in ****Level -9****, but no one has yet to do so.

## Entrances & Exits

### Entrances

* No-clipping into a blue streetlight in Level 9 may teleport you here.
* Wandering Level -8 for quite some time can randomly bring you here.
* Falling through the flash bang in Level -40 might result in you ending up here.
* Finding a dismantled lamp in Level 415 and touching the light bulb will bring you here.
* Going through a door emitting blue light behind it in Level -1 will take you here.

### Exits

* Rarely, walking into a restaurant that is in a state of nearly closing will transition the level into Level 68.
* Wandering into a forest during the level's snowy state will guarantee a gateway back to Level -8. Should one preform this exit when the level isn't in its snowy state, they'll be brought to Level 92.
* Voyaging far enough from the level's center and seeing the landscape beginning to shift into a desolate cityscape is a signal that the wanderer is entering Level 11. Alternatively, if the cityscape is a grey monochrome, one is instead entering Level 777.
* Following long asphalt roads can bring one to Level -69.
* Going in the sewer system of **Level -9** will take you to Level -206.
* Attempting to get on the canoes will bring you to a random level.
* No-clipping into a level portrayed inside a Red Lamp will bring you to that particular level.
* Finding a medieval castle, and entering it will lead you to Level -10.

Template:Underline **Author and Credits**
**Author:** U12

**Image(s):**

* Freston Rd. in London From the entry Liminal Spaces / Images with Elegiac Auras by KnowYourMeme.
* "Alleyway" by u/Vrky1 on r/LiminalSpace
* "Snowy Bridge" by u/Temetese24 on r/LiminalSpace.
* "unedited" by u/LilithDreadful on r/LiminalSpace; ironically edited by U12.
* "Found this in my camera roll" provided by u/Getoutofmylifenow on r/LiminalSpace. The actual original source of the image is not yet determined.

**Some Inspiration By: Level 68 created by Sylas, and Level 85 created by Sherls** (go check both of these levels out, especially Level 85!)

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