Level 171

## Level 171: "The Atrium Of Decay"

### Description:

**Level 171** at first presents itself as a 1930s atrium. As wanderers continue through the level, they may hear 1930's era slow jazz. Air conditioning circulates a fragrance reminiscent of the roses, which can be found in urns throughout the level, and the smell of furniture polish hangs thick in the air. As the wanderer's distance traveled increases, the atrium starts to deteriorate further until it becomes only a rotten shell of its grand self. The scent of the gilded complex deteriorates from smelling damp with hints of mothballs to a strong, pungent stench of mildew and rot. At this point, the lights, which are now replaced by Signal Lights and the Blight will now appear. Entities that take the form of lights are able to perceive the presence of Wanderers. The Blight, exclusive to this level is comprised of entity swarms that immediately become hostile when it detects a wanderer. The exact composition of The Blight is not well understood, however, all analyzed swarms contain a variety of entities both common and unidentified, including the rumored ~~redacted~~. It has been hypothesized by the M.E.G. that The Blight is in a symbiotic relationship with Signal Lights. The Signal Lights' vision cycle causes the level's lights to flicker on and off in intervals of approximately 5 minutes. When the lights flicker on, the "golden age" of the atrium may be observed and the jazz music is played at regular speed and undistorted. The atrium appears in good condition during this phase and faint sounds of people may be heard. It is unknown where these sounds originate. Regardless of this illusion, The Blight is still present, but invisible to the wanderer, making it all the more hazardous and unpredictable.

When the lights invariably flicker out, the illusion crumbles, and the level is plunged into darkness. In the faint light, the atrium appears to be rotten, and the music that plays is played at a slower speed with significant distortion. It is at this point entities become visible; entities that are yet unidentified. Due to the presence of these entities, those in this level are advised to more quickly and without pauses of more than 5 minutes.

This level can be accessed via Level 5 through a seemingly random wing off of the lobby. This wing of the level often appears when the wanderer gets lost. It takes the semblance of the rest of the lobby, but there are scratches on the light fixtures, dust on tables, and dirt on the carpet. Wanderers can only ascertain the change process leading on **Level 171** through the flicker of the lights. Sections of **Level 171** appear similar to the wing wanderers use to enter the level. Because of its unique properties, **Level 171** is rumored to be a deteriorated, earlier version of Level 5.

### Signal Lights:

Signal Lights are unique entities. They are solely found in **Level 171** and take the appearance of wall-mounted light fixtures. Their anatomy consists of a photo emitting diode, a circulatory system filled with a black unidentified liquid, an electricity converter, a photo lens, an illusion projector, and a transmitter. Their vision process takes roughly 5 minutes.

### The Blight:

The Blight is not comprised of a singular entity, rather it is made up of numerous types of entities classes at IETS 4 danger level. The danger of these entities has also been increased to IETS 5 as a provisionary level. This is in fact due to their almost omnipresent level of intelligence afforded to them by the Signal Lights. They had an innate ability to seek the presence of Wanderers.

### Colonies and Outposts:

Due to the nature of this level, it is impossible to establish settlements.

### Entrances and Exits:

#### Entrances:

**Level 171** may be entered through a wing in Level 5.

#### Exits:

Give up, there is no hope of leaving. We're stuck here forever.