Async Research Institute

The **Async Research Institute** (also known as the **Async Foundation**) is a research organization responsible for opening the Low-Proximity Magnetic Distortion System (also known as the Threshold) into the Backrooms. It is located in San Jose, California.

## History

### Before opening the Backrooms

In April of 1988, Async started an experiment on opening a doorway into the Backrooms based on the research by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The experiments were directed by vice director Ivan Beck and were described as a solution for all future storage and housing needs. The experiments continued as they got funding from the government.

### Opening the Backrooms

On July 2, 1988, the third test to open the doorway resulted in failure. The sixth test on October 17, 1989, was successful. Two scientists argued whether to shut down the machine or not. Some form of obstruction was also detected. The experiment was not shut down and after the machine almost broke, the Backrooms were finally opened. But the opening of the Threshold caused an earthquake that knocked out all electricity in the building and killed 63 people.

### Exploring the Backrooms

Soon after opening the Threshold, members of Async started exploring and documenting the Backrooms. On February 3rd, 1990, A research team found a decomposing corpse with mold growing around it, which most likely was Nicolas Bolton, which an autopsy is performed on two days later. The doctor, who didn't know about the Backrooms, was baffled by the unnatural decay. There was also a mutated strain of hay bacillus inside the corpse.

On February 29th, 1990, a researcher went to investigate sounds of people chattering coming from a corner of the Backrooms, but then got seemingly teleported a few months into the future and became lost. The threshold outpost was constructed inside the Backrooms, right behind the Threshold. The lost researcher found the outpost and threshold. But when he walked inside, the alarm went of.

On March 5th, 1990, a system of video cameras was setup to detect motion and sound. The cameras detected an undetermined sound and a strange creature crawling on the ceiling, giving Async the first clue of the dangers of the Backrooms. Later, on May 6th, 1990, an expedition team consisting of Marvin E. Leigh, Mark, George and an unnamed woman found a room made of pits. When trying to get the camera across, Marvin fell down into a pit. Down there, he encountered a monster mimicing a human voice and managed to get out alive. The team would later present the footage to the rest of Async. The way to the room of pits got sealed away and many new safety precautions were setup.

Between the 7th and 10th, scientists from the Department of Energy will go on tour inside the Backrooms to secure Async's funding.

## Members

### Ivan Beck

Vice director of the institute, responsible for proposing the idea of the Backrooms and overseeing experiments.

### Anthony Dawkins

High-ranking member of Async who got a level 9 clearance card. He meets Marvin and the other researchers when they return with the footage of the monster or bacteria.

### Marvin E. Leigh

Cameraman of an exploration team who ventured into the Backrooms. He falls into a pit and becomes the first Async researcher to encounter the monster and get it on film. He also took witness to his friend Mark Blume's death.

### Mark Blume

Member of Marvin's exploration team. He successfully crosses the room full of pits and looks behind the door on the other side. He was shot by Peter Tench with his own shotgun. He was born on an unknown date but died on May 25, 1990.

### George

Member of Marvin's exploration team. He carries the red tether and goes to find a longer one when the one they already have is too short to save Marvin with.

### Kim

Member of Marvin's exploration team. She has a scientific mindset and leads the team.

### Peter Tench

A former member of Marvin's exploration team who gets separated from the other researchers when he is teleported into the future. He gets lost but finds a room in front of the Threshold, when the alarm goes off.

### Miller

A researcher who most likely hypothesized that things and people from the real world can fall into the Backrooms via Null Zones.

### Randall Tachi

A researcher who worked with Mark and Marvin to help uncover room 14C.

**Kirk Maxwell**

A member of Async, Who was able to disarm Peter Tench prior to his boarding the elevator and his subsequent death.

### Unnamed Supervisor

A member of Async, appeared in Motion Detected two times, he was recorded helping in setting up the cameras and passing by and returning to the threshold.

**There are many more members.**