A hallway of Level 0 with intersections.
Overview
Level 0 is the 1st level of the Backrooms. Even though there are no known physical dangers on this level, many wanderers consider it to be one of the most perilous due to its psychological characteristics. This is intensified by the fact that new arrivals have no prior experience navigating the Backrooms. It is estimated that most people who clip into the Backrooms die before exiting Level 0.
Structure
Level 0 is an unending stretch of halls and rooms with fluorescent lights, yellow walls, and moist carpets.
All hallways and rooms look identical, with the only differences being the positioning of non-functional light switches, outlets, and exit signs hanging from the ceiling. These exit signs lead nowhere, fooling wanderers into believing they are able to get out of Level 0. There are no other known irregularities in the level's layout or structure besides these characteristics.
Although a type of fungi commonly referred to as "carpet fungi" can grow on the wet carpets, the fluid is not safe to drink for humans. Carpet Fungi can also be found on other levels with moist carpet. When cooked, they are edible and have comparable benefits to Almond Water.
Nature
Level 0 stresses wanderers out by inducing hallucinations and anxiety and rendering them apathetic to escaping.
The fluorescent lights are initially nearly silent, but become louder as one becomes more anxious. The monotony of the structure and wallpaper gradually tires the wanderer's eyes. Voices from the ceiling and footsteps behind the wall can be heard after only a short period of time. There is no specific time range during which all of these effects occur, as according to most wanderers, the perception of time on this level is immensely extended. The time it takes for the first hallucinations to appear is estimated to be between 30 and 60 minutes.
After only a few hours, the wanderer experiences psychosis and extreme hallucinations, leading them to believe they have found another person or are being pursued by an entity. Accessing another level has also reportedly been the subject of hallucinations. These hallucinated levels resemble the hallways of Level 1, with the exact layout of Level 0.
While there are no confirmed entities on Level 0, wanderers consistently report sightings of Smilers, Hounds, and occasionally unknown entities. These reports are most likely associated with hallucinations and anxiety. The majority of sightings of unknown entities have been linked to the wanderer's fears and phobias, with the most prevalent being a 2-meter-tall spider-like creature derived from arachnophobia. The reports of these unknown entities tend to be similar to those of each wanderer's witnesses. As a result, it is thought that these hallucinated entities do exist on various levels of the Backrooms.
Recovered Documents
There have only been a few documents retrieved that describe Level 0. The following well-known description of the Backrooms was the first recovered document ever uncovered.
This note is not a reliable description of the Backrooms anymore. At the time of this writing, the Backrooms was thought to only consist of one level. By now, we know that there might be millions of levels. The statement "[…] approximately six hundred million square miles […]" has been deemed impossible to prove. The note's origin remains unknown.
Passageways
Entrances
- Clipping out of reality leads to Level 0.
- Staircases on Level 1 have a slim chance of leading to Level 0.
- Clipping out of Level 1 returns one to Level 0.
- Wandering through areas with moist carpet on Level 4 can lead to Level 0.
Exits
- It is possible to clip out of Level 0, which will lead to Level 1 or Level 2.
- Going into an elevator will lead to Level 2 or Level 3.