Level 224 : "Avelon"

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Level 224 is the 225th Level of the Backrooms. This Level is a vacant mall estimated to be 1 million sq/ft (~92,903.04 sq/m) in size spanning multiple floors.

Level 224, also known as Avelon1, is a large mall barren of any storefronts, signage, or functioning electricity. Though lacking artificial lighting, there appears to be a consistent day and night cycle visible through various skylights in the ceiling. Resources are abundant, ableit closely guarded, and it is safe to pass through or use as a resting point. The whole area consists of a first and second floor lined with shop spaces, a food court, a central plaza, an elevator, and various staircases to connect both floors.

While the Level is mundane at face value, it is entirely inhabited by a flock of hyper-intelligent passerines2. Their civilization and intellect are comparable if not equal to that of humans and they have formed a localized language among each other both verbal and written. Those capable of speaking human languages (mainly the corvids) express the capacity for human speech in varying languages; primarily they speak English with other languages having been picked up from Wanderers who pass through.

The whole building is maintained and guarded by the flock, with the storefronts converted into living spaces or communal areas to suit their needs. The birds are openly friendly with humans, though unwilling to allow them to stay for what is considered longer than necessary. Trade is encouraged by them, however, and they sustain their outpost through these interactions. However, if their kind is attacked or killed by an outside force, they will swarm and attack the perpetrator until the threat is neutralized.

Preferred items for trade are precious metals, gems, mirrors, materials suitable as nesting supplies, ink, seeds, textiles, and miscellaneous materials suitable for tool creation. Shiny objects are especially coveted by the flock, and any sort of mirror is considered an item of high value. Medical supplies are also sought after, though not as heavily or in high quantities.

Due to the civilized nature of the flock, the Level is clean and kept to the best of their abilities. Food is generally produced via a farm located in an area where light is easily accessible, with crops consisting of berry bushes, grasses, and plants bearing edible seeds. Shops and trading posts are primarily located within the food court, though other sale points are dotted throughout the Level.

This Level is an excellent source for almond water, though trading with the flock is required to attain it. Because of its source being in strung-up inflatable fish above the food court, only the birds can access it. The anomalous properties of this fish supply them with a seemingly limitless amount, though it is still rationed regardless.

The flock self-classifies as a coven, practicing in a neopagan fashion with the rituals and rites they perform and headed by an archdruid.Their religion centers around an entity most often referred to as “The Creator”, though is alternately called "Witness." Most covenant meetings are conducted in a sanctified location located within a heavily guarded area of the Level with outsiders permitted to observe but not partake in rituals performed.

Within the Sanctorum, dubbed the Gate of Avelon, is an old mechanical structure resembling a portal of sorts. The structure itself is ultimately functionless but serves as sacred grounds and the supposed point in which the Creator emerged to form the Level before disappearing. This area is heavily guarded with no outsider access permitted, though the information provided has been gathered when it was readily given via inquiry. There is no substantial evidence as of yet to support the validity of these claims, though it is advised that these views are respected when in the domain of the flock.

Closely tied to these practices is the cultivation of an anomalous mold cultured and grown within their Sanctorum; these are kept within a particularly dark portion of the Level. It is treated as a primary source of nutrition next to the farmed food for the flock and acts as a suitable replacement for those with a typically arthropod-based diet. The fungus expresses lime bioluminescence, with important religious figures donning the colored mold on their feathers as a sign of devotion. While it is largely consumed by the flock, it provides minimal sustenance to humans and is not readily traded.

Lost but not gone, no longer tied to this plane. Dearest Witness, see me in my fullest and I sing praise. Hear us and know we haven’t forgotten, your work will not be taken in vain. All that we know is what you have given us, may our love be as boundless as your imagination. Everything bleeds, one way or another, everything bleeds.

The Avalonians/The Flock:

• Primary community existing on Level 224.
• Also referred to as Avelonians or Aves for short.
• Outside of their heightened intelligence, they are otherwise biologically identical to Frontrooms birds.
• Exists within a theocratic society, with their chosen leader being a male Pica Hudsonia (black-billed magpie) named Loric.

• A group of 4 humans residing within Level 224 permanently.

• Have assimilated themselves with the flock and its social system to the best of their abilities

• All appear to have some sort of physical and/or mental disability.

• The consensus between them is that they were taken in willingly by the flock after clipping into this Level with a survival disadvantage. and Level 224 being one they had clipped into early on following their arrival in the Backrooms.

• One human is a child named Witness, the first human to be taken in by the flock.

  • Their age is mostly speculation, but they are no more than ten.
  • They are infected with the anomalous mold which is present in their lungs, this doesn’t seem to cause any harm to them aside from mild coughing.
  • Further questioning and health checkups revealed the mold to have formed a symbiotic relationship with them.
  • This child is the source for which the flock first began to harvest and cultivate the mold.
  • Because of its prominent presence in their system, Witness doesn’t need anything more than water and darkness to sustain themselves.
  • Despite being almost completely blind due to retinitis pigmentosa3, Witness can make their way around the level with ease.
  • They are happy in their living situation, and any attempts to bring the child away from the flock will end in violence.

• Their age is mostly speculation, but they are no more than ten.

• They are infected with the anomalous mold which is present in their lungs, this doesn’t seem to cause any harm to them aside from mild coughing.

• Further questioning and health checkups revealed the mold to have formed a symbiotic relationship with them.

• This child is the source for which the flock first began to harvest and cultivate the mold.

• Because of its prominent presence in their system, Witness doesn’t need anything more than water and darkness to sustain themselves.

• Despite being almost completely blind due to retinitis pigmentosa3, Witness can make their way around the level with ease.

• They are happy in their living situation, and any attempts to bring the child away from the flock will end in violence.

Begin Log: 18:36
Interviewer: M.E.G. Operative Theodore O'Leary
Interviewee: Loric Timebound, Archdruid of Avelon

Theodore: I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me.
Loric: Of course, I find your interest in our culture is refreshing.
Theodore: So, how long have you all been here?
Loric: Time is strange, especially in this dimension, you agree? Best answer I have is years, I’m not the first Archdruid for our coven.
Theodore: What sort of religion do you all devote yourselves to if you don’t mind me asking?
Loric: That of the Creator. Witness is who created this our home, it created this place in its vision of what it believed to be paradise. Not my child, Witness, the original. Of course, nothing is perfect. It becomes perfect when you accept it for what it is. We devote ourselves to living our best lives and supporting each other, just as Witness wanted. Everything you see around us is just what it wanted. Oh, and the shiny things.
Theodore: What happened to the original Witness?
Loric: It left, could’t stay, was merely a fragment of another reality that sought solace. Even still, we were gifted the child, they look just like it. That is to say in a human form, they’re not the same color nor do they possess the same number of eyes or limbs. But in the face, yes. They brought the mold with them, I personally see that they are raised, educated, and loved. My husband and I have adopted them, and while they won’t take my place as the leader I couldn’t ask for a better child. You asked me if I wanted kids before meeting them, I would’ve spat!
Theodore: How old are they?
Loric: Hmm… we think ten. They don’t know either.
Theodore: I would also like to say that we appreciate your hospitality on behalf of all who pass through here. It’s a nice change of pace from… other Levels.
Loric: You’re welcome, the trading has been nice. I’m sure you understand why we don’t leave this place, more than just that doing so would be sacrilege. It’s dangerous out there, too dangerous. Humans are foolish but… brave. Fortune smiles on your kind, I can only imagine what you’ve seen out there. Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare. Now I do have matters to attend to, you take care, Wanderer.

End Log: 19:08

Summary: Standings with the flock and the M.E.G. are primarily positive, this status is preferred to be maintained. Because of this, it is requested that all who visit respect their views. Further understanding of their Level's nature and the fundamentals of its existence will be looked into as to potentially learn how some Levels may manifest.

Time: 16:04
Location: Level 224
Begin Report

2 M.E.G. Operatives and 3 miscellaneous Wanderers were present on Level 224 at the time of the incident. Accounts from the 5 people are consistent with each other and detail the events that transpired. The situation was typical up until a 6th Wanderer entered the Level. Shortly after entering the main plaza, the Wanderer began preaching about the word of Jerry. Within seconds, a group of shrikes, starlings, and cardinals descended upon the victim before beginning to peck and claw at his skin. Unable to properly fend himself from the onslaught, the victim’s eyes, fingers, tongue, nose, and throat were gouged out. Following his incapacitation, the group left the body to clean themselves of the blood. Shortly after, the man died from blood loss with the flock chanting “heresy” for roughly 2 hours following the incident.

Summary: Those visiting Level 224 are strongly advised to refrain from mentioning anything of Entity 7. When questioned about the violent reaction from the flock, many responded about their malice held for Entity 7 and, “the sacrilege of its mere existence.”

Entrances

Accessible via any known elevators or instances of Entity 81, though whether or not you will end up in Level 224 is completely random.

Exits

Leaving via the elevator will return you to any floor containing one. Alternatively, the front doors will lead out of the Level and have been documented to drop Wanderers off in various Levels. These primarily include Level 35, Level 155, Level 102, among others.

Embrace your faults, know how we differ. Though born into its ideal heaven we are far from utopia. Come together, o’ coven of feather, we shall find solace in this place we call home. This is a gift from it to us, for we are many, let us learn to love and thrive.

Oh no! Oh sweet Christ!
It's me, your residential bird freak. All images used in this article were taken by yours truly, all writing done for this article was done by the same over-caffeinated introvert. It's been a pleasure working with you.~
-oO ParadoxBrother Oo-

P.S. Thank you to SnomWriting for helping me edit and refine this article on top of the greenlight, I couldn't have done this without him!