Thalassaphobia

## **Description:**

Prepare to confront your deepest fears as you step into the abyssal expanse of Level 7, aptly named "Thalassaphobia." This level unveils an unfathomably vast ocean that stretches beyond the limits of perception in every direction. While fixed sources of light are conspicuously absent, a subdued and haunting natural luminescence pierces the darkness, casting an eerie glow upon the realm. Detailed accounts of Level 7 remain sparse, a testament to its ominous dangers and the meticulous preparation it demands for exploration. Piecing together the fragments of knowledge we possess, the enigma of Level 7 unfolds before us.

Nestled within the eternal ocean are two enigmatic chambers: the entrance room and the sprawling expanse that houses the ocean itself. The entrance room, a point of entry from Level 6, offers a semblance of habitability and serves as a strategic base for intrepid explorers. Here, amid the shadowy embrace, a fully-furnished room awaits, adorned with a bookcase of arcane tomes, a modest coffee table, a solitary chair, and an ethereal fluorescent ceiling lamp. The carpeted floor is caressed by a shallow pool, barely more than a puddle, adding to the surreal ambience. The threshold to the abyssal ocean beckons from across the room, unveiling a realm that tests the boundaries of human endurance.

Unbeknownst to many, the entrance room defies the laws of gravity as we know them. Curiously suspended within the Level 7 expanse, the entrance room's architecture imparts a sense of disorientation. From a top-down perspective, the open doorway hovers above the water's surface, seemingly poised on the level's ceiling. Those who venture recklessly in front of this doorway are subject to a gravity shift, plummeting into the dark depths below, a chilling fate that awaits the unprepared.

The ocean of Level 7 remains a realm of unparalleled mystery. The entrance room's connection to the abyss is the starting point for the brave few who tread its uncharted waters. As explorers journey outward from the entrance, isolated islands of unknown origin emerge from the watery expanse, composed of enigmatic rock formations. Yet, despite these tantalizing glimpses of land, the ocean's enigma remains largely uncharted and devoid of life.

Categorizing the realms of Level 7 by light levels yields the following zones:

## **The Daylight Zone**

Radiating a faint, ethereal glow, the Daylight Zone is the most illuminated section of the ocean, a realm slightly less dim than the surface. Its barren expanse invites little revelation, veiling its secrets beneath a subdued luminescence.

## **The Twilight Zone**

Lying beneath the Daylight Zone, the Twilight Zone awaits at approximately a kilometer beneath the surface. In this realm of deeper shadows and chilling cold, skeletal remnants and rusted fragments of metal are scattered amid the murky waters. Eerie sightings of humanoid skeletons with unique features, including elongated jaws and flipper-like appendages, emerge from the gloom. Gigantic, otherworldly fish skeletons bear enigmatic scars, hinting at ancient battles beneath the waves. Here, the water's pressure intensifies, marking the point at which discretion must overcome curiosity.

## **The Midnight Zone**

Permeated by profound darkness, the Midnight Zone plunges to a depth of approximately three kilometers below the Twilight Zone. This domain hosts an abundance of humanoid skeletons, sharing the uncanny features of their Twilight Zone counterparts. Gargantuan fish-like remains, their skeletal structures bafflingly alien, add to the surreal tapestry of the Midnight Zone's depths.

## **The Abyss**

Diving further into the abyssal depths, beyond seven kilometers from the surface, leads explorers into the perilous Abyss. A desolate realm characterized by towering piles of tar and rock, the Abyss emits an incessant bubbling from an enigmatic source below. Amidst the stark landscape, the remains of humanoid skeletons form a haunting tableau, eroded by the crushing pressure. Murmurs of an elusive cave entrance within the underwater mountains hint at a potential path to Level 8.

While the exact depth of Level 7 remains elusive, the intricate architecture of this aquatic realm defies comprehension. Clues of a mysterious ocean floor emerge, suggested by fragments of synthetic fibers that hint at a carpeted landscape within the Midnight Zone and Abyss.

## **Entities:**

Amongst the void, the solitary inhabitant known as The Thing On Level 7 holds dominion. An enigmatic and formidable presence, it has seemingly extinguished all other life within the dark ocean's embrace. Recent developments introduce a new entity, referred to as Tiny, who shares this watery domain. Their combined strength and ferocity cast a shadow over the realm, rendering the once-teeming waters barren and lifeless. Both entities are shrouded in equal measures of speed, strength, and uncanny perception, instilling an urgent imperative for all who traverse these depths.

Presently, Tiny confines itself to the Daylight and Twilight Zones, while The Thing finds solace in the Midnight Zone and upper Abyss. A peculiar accord between these entities suggests an understanding of territorial boundaries, culminating in a fragile balance that wards against unchecked aggression.

## **Exploration and Survival:**

Surviving the hostile embrace of Level 7 necessitates a strategic approach:

1. The entrance room serves as a haven of respite. Expedition forays into the ocean should be brief, followed by timely returns. Erecting a rope or ladder from the doorway to the surface offers a lifeline for ascent and safety.
2. Despite the biting cold, prolonged exposure to the ocean's chill remains non-lethal. Moreover, an anomalous property within the air permits extended breath-holding, enabling explorers to navigate the ocean depths without diving equipment.
3. Exercise extreme caution in the presence of entities. Confrontation is tantamount to a death sentence. Manipulate the Thing's heightened sensitivity to light and Tiny's acute hearing, utilizing light and sound to minimize risk during exploration.

## **Entrances:**

* A staircase descending from Level 6 grants access to the entrance room, a pivotal starting point for Level 7 exploration.
* Whispers of a potential entrance through a puddle on the Level 8 floor remain speculative.

## **Exits:**

* A well-known exit resides within an underwater cave nestled upon a towering mountain in the Midnight Zone. This route offers a direct path to Level 8, a journey fraught with peril and length.
* A daring plunge into the Abyss, rendering unconsciousness, unveils an exit to Level 83.2, an undesirable but possible escape.
* A newly discovered exit, located west of the entrance room, leads to Level 9. This treacherous passage features a collection of underwater pipes and stone pillars, culminating in a wooden door upon a circular stone platform. Caution is paramount, as this area also harbors the entity Tiny.
* Another exit is by entering a rippling patch of water in the twilight zone, causing you to go to Level 2814.